Sr. Suspension & Chassis Structure Engineer

Who We Are:

Lippert is a leading, global manufacturer and supplier of highly engineered products and customized solutions, dedicated to shaping, growing and bettering the RV, marine, automotive, commercial vehicle and building products industries. We combine our strategic manufacturing capabilities with the power of our winning team culture to deliver unrivaled customer service, award-winning innovation and premium products to all of our customers.

Why We are Different:

At Lippert, Everyone Matters. This is not just a tagline or empty promise; it is who we are. We have intentionally created a culture that values and celebrates our team members' unique and varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to give our team members a deeper sense of purpose at work, and we continue to build a better work environment by aligning our cultural and business strategies with the needs of our team members.

What You will Get:

1. A unique, inclusive and supportive company culture.
2. Comprehensive benefit offerings including medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match, vacation, and more!
3. Fair and competitive compensation.
4. Career development and mentoring and opportunities to grow.
5. Holiday, personal and vacation days.

Summary/Objective:

The Senior Suspension and Chassis Structure Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, and continuous improvement of suspension systems, chassis structures, and frame assemblies from concept through production. This role provides technical leadership for new product development programs and supports existing products through performance improvement, cost optimization, durability enhancement, and field issue resolution.

The engineer will lead structural analysis activities, evaluate vehicle dynamics requirements, perform design validation, and collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, suppliers, testing, quality, and program management teams to deliver robust products that meet performance, safety, durability, and regulatory requirements. The position serves as a key technical resource and mentor for engineering team members.

Essential Functions:

• Lead suspension and chassis structure design activities from concept development through production launch.,
• Design and develop:
  
  • Suspension systems
  • Chassis structures
  • Frame assemblies
  • Cross-members
  • Mounting systems
  • Brackets
• Load-bearing vehicle structures
• Perform structural analysis using FEA tools to validate strength, stiffness, fatigue life, and durability requirements.
• Conduct static and dynamic load-path analysis for suspension and chassis systems.
• Develop design requirements and engineering specifications based on customer, regulatory, manufacturing, and vehicle performance objectives.
• Lead DFMEA activities and design reviews to identify and mitigate technical risk.
• Support prototype builds, vehicle testing, durability testing, and root-cause investigations.
• Analyze test and field data to improve ride quality, load carrying performance, durability, and customer satisfaction.
• Direct engineering change implementation and configuration control throughout the product lifecycle.
• Collaborate with internal manufacturing teams and suppliers to develop components optimized for manufacturability, quality, performance, and cost.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership for complex engineering projects.
• Support new technology initiatives involving lightweight structures, advanced materials, suspension innovation, and vehicle performance improvements
• Assist in establishing and/or upgrading internal engineering standards and practices
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to Lippert's safety and personnel policies including core values
• Ensure designs comply with applicable standards, codes, and regulations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions:

• Primarily working indoors, office environment.
• May sit for several hours at a time.
• Prolonged exposure to computer screens.
• Repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers, and copiers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related discipline.
• 7-12+ years of engineering experience in suspension, chassis, structural, trailer, automotive, commercial vehicle, RV, agricultural, or transportation equipment design.
• Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software.
• Demonstrated experience leading products from concept through production.
• Experience with structural FEA and engineering analysis.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and manufacturing processes.
• Experience developing and executing DVP&R plans.
• Experience leading DFMEA activities.
• Excellent communication skills required
• Knowledge of Six Sigma and Lean principles preferred
• Must be self-motivated and possess a high level of personal initiative

Competencies:

• Expert understanding of suspension systems, chassis structures, load paths, and structural design principles.
• Strong understanding of static, dynamic, fatigue, and impact loading.
• Experience with welded steel structures, aluminum structures, castings, and fabricated assemblies.
• Advanced FEA proficiency including linear and nonlinear structural analysis.
• Ability to perform fatigue, durability, and stiffness evaluations.
• Experience correlating simulation results with physical testing.
• Advanced CAD modeling skills.
• GD&T expertise.
• Strong tolerance stack-up analysis capability.
• PLM/PDM experience preferred.
• Technical leadership of new product development projects.
• Cross-functional collaboration.
• Mentoring and coaching engineers.
• Strong project execution mindset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Analysis of highly complex engineering issues and problems, drawing valid conclusions based on robust data collection and fact-based review.
• Understanding of materials, mechanical properties and manufacturing processes such that initial concept designs are feasible and meet agreed upon design requirements
• DFM/DFA
• Able to execute multiple projects in parallel while balancing competing resources and needs. Gives attention to detail and quality.
• Comfortable working in a team environment and effective at brainstorming/concepting individually and in a group

Supervisory Responsibility:

This role does not have any supervisory responsibility upon hiring.

Physical Demands:
This is an office setting job.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time salary position, and hours/days of work are decided by production schedules and your reporting manager.

Travel:

Travel will be minimal and would be primarily local during the business day.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related discipline.
• 7-12+ years of engineering experience in suspension, chassis, structural, trailer, automotive, commercial vehicle, RV, agricultural, or transportation equipment design.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance:

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the Team Member for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Lippert provides equal employment opportunity to all team members and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, citizen status, protected veteran status, military service, marital status or any other legally protected category as established by federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all employment decisions, including recruitment, hiring, job assignment, compensation, training, promotion, discipline, transfer, leave-of-absence, access to benefits, layoff, recall, termination and other personnel matters. All employment and personnel-related decisions are based solely upon legitimate, job-related factors, such as skill, ability, past performance, and length of service with Lippert.

Lippert's strong commitment to equal employment opportunity requires a commitment by each individual team member. Compliance with the letter and spirit of this policy is required of all team members. Violations of this policy should be immediately reported to your leader or to any member of leadership. Team members who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

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