Lead Mechanical Design Engineer - High Voltage Connector - Research & Development Engineering

What you’ll do:

• Own the mechanical design and technical definition of high-voltage connector and terminal systems from concept through launch and post-launch support.
• Translate customer, regulatory, and internal requirements into clear product-level and component-level engineering requirements, including interfaces, environmental conditions, electrical performance, sealing, packaging, serviceability, and ergonomics.
• Lead concept generation, trade studies, tolerance analysis, material and plating selection, design reviews, and design release activities using a structured product-development process.
• Create and maintain engineering deliverables, including drawings, specifications, bills of material, engineering change documentation, interface definitions, design verification plans and reports, and technical reports.
• Lead design risk management using the AIAG-VDA DFMEA methodology and ensure design controls, verification, and lessons learned are reflected in product requirements and design standards.
• Develop validation strategies and support DV/PV testing against customer and industry requirements. Review test results, investigate failures, document root cause, and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Partner with CAE specialists to define analysis plans, interpret simulation results, correlate models to test data, and improve design guidelines for high-voltage connection systems.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, supplier quality, sourcing, program management, test engineering, and suppliers to ensure product manufacturability, process capability, APQP and PPAP readiness, and on-time technical delivery.
• Lead technical discussions with customers and suppliers, communicate risks and tradeoffs, and provide evidence-based recommendations to project and business leaders.
• Mentor engineers and designers, capture lessons learned, and contribute to common design practices, checklists, and standards across the Power Connections organization.
• Promote a safe working environment and follow Eaton environmental, health, safety, quality, and ethics requirements.

Qualifications:

Required Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution
• Minimum five (5) years of product design, product development in automotive connectors, terminals, electrical distribution, electromechanical products, or a closely related field.
• Minimum two (2) years experience developing high voltage automotive connection systems or comparable high voltage electromechanical products or related experience.
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.
• No relocation is available for this position. Candidates must reside within 50 miles of Southfield, MI to be considered. (Active Duty Miltiary are exempt from this geographical limitation). 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science from an accredited institution
• Experience with automotive connector and terminal standards and customer requirements, such as USCAR-2 and applicable high-voltage connection-system standards, plus relevant ISO, IEC, DIN, or UL requirements.
• Experience with stamped-metal terminals, copper alloys, contact interfaces, plating systems, polymer housings, seals, injection molding, and design for assembly.
• Knowledge of Siemens NX, Teamcenter, or comparable CAD and product lifecycle management tools.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, engineering change management, supplier technical reviews, and automotive product launches.
• Experience applying problem-solving methods such as 8D, root-cause analysis, or Design for Six Sigma.

Skills:

• Customer-focused technical judgment and the ability to convert ambiguity into clear engineering decisions.
• Ability to lead through influence across engineering, program management, quality, manufacturing, sourcing, suppliers, and customers.
• Curiosity, continuous learning, and willingness to challenge assumptions using data and sound engineering principles.
• Commitment to collaboration, inclusion, transparency, and constructive technical debate.
• Experience using 3D CAD and engineering drawings to develop and release production-intent components and assemblies.
• Experience with structured design risk management and product validation, including DFMEA and design verification planning.