Mechanical Product Engineer 1

Inside the Role

Product Engineering creates customer focused vehicle solutions that deliver measurable value in efficiency, quality, and total cost of ownership. We design with purpose—balancing innovation, manufacturability, timing, and cost to bring competitive products to market.
We are a hands on, learning oriented engineering organization that values accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Our teams take pride in owning designs end to end and seeing their work on production vehicles in the field.

The Bumpers, Grilles and Badging Team is responsible for developing innovative solutions for all Daimler Truck North America brands and models. Our team delivers bumpers, grilles, side of hood air intake and other exterior systems equipment that are aerodynamic, efficient for cooling, durable, reliable, serviceable and cost competitive. Team members have the unique opportunity to work in an area that interfaces with many technical systems on the vehicle while covering a diverse range of materials and components including: plastics and composites, metal stampings, castings and fabrications.

The team owns designs from concept through production, applying sound engineering fundamentals to deliver components that perform reliably in demanding real world customer environments. We design our parts in house and work closely with cross-functional partners and suppliers to ensure robust, high quality solutions.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Position offers a starting salary range of $71,000 to $91,000 USD 

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience​ 

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Benefits include 401k company contribution with company match up to 8% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ calendar holidays; 8 weeks paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans. 

What You Drive at DTNA

• Design and develop bumpers, grilles, air intakes, badges and supporting components that are safe, reliable, serviceable, and competitive.
• Create technically sound, manufacturable designs that meet customer requirements while adhering to engineering standards and strategic product direction.
• Use NX and related tools to develop and maintain 3D models, 2D drawings, GD&T, packaging studies, and installation documentation, collaborating with Product Design on styled surfaces.
• Select appropriate materials, tolerances, finishes, fasteners, and manufacturing processes to achieve performance, quality, and cost targets.

Cross‑Functional & Supplier Collaboration

• Provide technical leadership for component‑ or system‑level projects, coordinating with internal designers and external suppliers to meet program objectives.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, Compliance & Regulatory Affairs, Analysis, Warranty, and Marketing throughout product development and launch.
• Work with Engineering Analysis to determine effective and economical design approaches and material selections.

Production Support & Issue Resolution

• Analyze validation, production, and field issues and develop creative, technically feasible solutions.
• Support plant builds and promptly resolve manufacturing or quality issues as they arise.
• Develop, release, and maintain accurate engineering documentation.

Project & Continuous Improvement

• Manage priorities to align with business goals and deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Proactively communicate project status, risks, and issues to management.
• Contribute ideas that improve product cost (CCI), quality, tools, processes, and the overall work environment.
• Stay informed on industry and competitive developments and apply relevant insights to future designs.

Knowledge You Should Bring  

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, and 0–4 years of relevant product development experience, is required
• Experience supporting products through design, validation, and production phases
• Strong communication, planning, and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to work cross‑functionally to reconcile competing requirements into robust, cost‑effective solutions
• Understanding of upstream and downstream engineering processes
• An attached resume is required

Exceptional Candidates Might Have  

• CAD expertise, including NX and surface development
• Experience designing molded, thermoformed, or other automotive exterior components
• Familiarity with plastic manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, compression molding, RIM, SMC, DCPD)
• Experience designing metal components (e.g., sheet metal, stampings, castings, extrusions)
• Knowledge of vehicle assembly plant processes
• Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines or functional areas
• Familiarity with DTNA systems (e.g., PLATON, IMACS)
• Automotive or commercial vehicle industry experience

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Delivering high‑quality component designs that integrate seamlessly into vehicle programs
• Building strong working relationships across engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers
• Proactively resolving technical and production issues
• Contributing ideas that improve product performance, cost, and development efficiency

#LI-CF1 #LI-HYBRID

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-

Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

• This position is not open for Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application
• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.