Principal Chassis Engineer -Suspension/Steering

Our client, a leading consultancy in the automotive sector, is currently seeking a Principal Systems Engineer - Suspension/Steering to join their team in Leamington Spa on a contract basis.

Technical Leadership:

• Serve as the technical authority in suspension design and development for assigned projects.
• Own and be responsible for engineering content, quality, and solutions.
• Ensure design integrity, compliance with standards, and alignment with customer requirements.

Project Execution:

• Lead the technical planning and execution of suspension engineering tasks from concept to production.
• Translate customer needs into actionable engineering deliverables.
• Manage technical risks and resolve issues proactively.
• Conduct and supervise experimental investigations, including data analysis and reporting.
• Prepare project reports, including cost and timing estimates and technical specifications.
• Identify and coordinate with external suppliers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Coordinate with internal teams (design, validation, manufacturing) and external stakeholders (suppliers, clients).
• Facilitate effective communication across disciplines to ensure alignment and progress.
• Represent the chassis engineering team in customer meetings, technical reviews, and programme updates.

Innovation & Problem Solving:

• Apply engineering theory to address complex problems with practical solutions.
• Promote continuous improvement in design, validation, and integration processes.
• Foster and implement innovative approaches to meet evolving technical challenges.

Mentorship & Team Leadership:

• Guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence.
• Provide technical sign-off and mentorship on chassis design reviews, validation plans, and documentation.
• Promote knowledge sharing and professional development within the team.

Quality & Compliance:

• Ensure all designs comply with regulatory, safety, and customer-required standards.
• Review product designs for adherence to legislative and engineering standards as required.
• Supervise engineering documentation, including reports, BOMs, FMEAs, DVP&Rs, and test specifications.
• Uphold high standards of quality assurance throughout the product lifecycle.

Customer Focus:

• Deliver excellent customer service by understanding and anticipating client needs.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor, building long-term relationships through reliability and performance.
• Ensure all deliverables meet or surpass customer expectations in quality, timing, and budget.

Technical Expertise:

• Experience in vehicle suspension design, development, and integration.
• Strong understanding of suspension and steering design and vehicle engineering.
• Experience with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, Pro/E, AutoCAD), GD&T, FMEA, DVP&R, and engineering documentation.
• Proficiency in managing systems from concept through production release and commissioning.
• Familiarity with data acquisition software, systems requirements tools, and the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience developing robust Development and Validation plans and executing them.
• Familiar with DFMEA, 8D, and fault tree approaches.

Project & Technical Leadership:

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Confidence and competence to approve technical solutions and guide engineering direction.
• Experience managing external vendors and internal teams to meet technical and commercial goals.
• Understanding of project financial targets, cost estimation, and budget management.

Communication & Collaboration:

• Ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences, including clients and executives.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and promoting a collaborative team environment.
• Strong focus on understanding and meeting client expectations.

Industry-Specific Knowledge:

• Knowledge of suspension and steering design, geometry, and performance fundamentals.
• Experience with different suspension types (Double wishbone, MacPherson strut, multi-link).
• Understanding of vehicle dynamics fundamentals, theory, and application/testing.
• Experience with heavy-duty on and off-highway vehicles.
• Knowledge of automotive system design and development processes.
• Understanding of braking, wheels and tyres, traction control, and active steering and damping systems.
• Familiarity with supporting simulation tools such as ADAMS, FEA.
• Experience with suspension rig testing (e.g. K&C), vehicle dynamics testing.

Advanced Engineering Tools & Methods:

• Experience with requirements management software and systems modelling.
• Proficiency with DFMEA, DOE, 8D problem-solving, and validation testing strategies.
• Knowledge of agile and lean engineering practices.

Soft Skills:

• Strategic thinking with the ability to align technical decisions with business goals.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, matrixed organisation.
• An innovative mindset with a willingness to challenge norms.

Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering; Master's degree preferred.
• Experience in design, validation, manufacturing, and product release of vehicle systems.
• Experience with commercial vehicle and off-highway is a plus.
• Beneficial experience in general vehicle integration (including powertrain, electrified systems).
• Proven experience in planning and coordinating design and/or production validation testing.
• Skill in developing engineering test specifications and analysing test data.
• Strong problem-solving skills utilising Design of Experiments (DOE), 8D, etc.

If you are an experienced Principal Systems Engineer with a focus on suspension and steering, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our client's dynamic and talented team in Leamington Spa.