Automotive Lead Engineer – Exterior Systems

Location: Crewe United Kingdom
Work Model: Full-time fully on-site
Expected Start: Q4 2026
Initial Contract Duration: 3 years with possible extension
Language: English C1 level or higher
Travel: Occasional business travel may be required

HIto Solutions is looking for experienced Automotive Lead Engineers specialising in Exterior Systems Body Hardware Seals and Sealing to support a long-term automotive engineering programme in Crewe.

The successful candidate will take ownership of an assigned technical perimeter and coordinate supporting engineering resources with a strong focus on Current Model Production series-production issue resolution and engineering change implementation.

• Take responsibility for the assigned technical perimeter and coordinate supporting engineering resources.
• Manage Current Model Production issues from root-cause agreement through to final implementation.
• Develop technically feasible containment and permanent series-production solutions.
• Coordinate engineering changes design feasibility validation and release activities.
• Prepare and manage complete 2D drawings and 3D CAD information.
• Identify packaging constraints interface impacts technical hard points and additional analysis requirements.
• Define test and validation plans for engineering changes and customer-protection measures.
• Review Design and Process FMEAs and identify additional testing requirements.
• Coordinate prototype builds physical models component testing and vehicle line trials.
• Ensure technical solutions meet applicable legislative quality safety and homologation requirements.
• Manage formal engineering releases and product-data and Bill of Material updates.
• Coordinate activities with Engineering Manufacturing Quality Purchasing Logistics Finance Certification and suppliers.
• Lead weekly technical meetings and provide regular status and timing updates.
• Present issue-resolution proposals and engineering changes to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Maintain timing plans open-point lists tracking lists and cost status.
• Obtain preliminary cost investment and implementation timing from suppliers.
• Support issue escalation and present complex technical solutions to senior management when required.

Specific experience should include:

• Exterior trim and body hardware
• Seals and sealing management
• Interfaces with Body-in-White and interior trim
• Design feasibility and manufacturing implementation
• Water management and sealing performance
• Validation of exterior components and production-line trials

• Minimum 45 years of relevant automotive engineering experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of exterior systems body hardware seals and sealing.
• Proven experience in Current Model Production and series-production issue resolution.
• Experience with engineering change management containment validation and release processes.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and external suppliers.
• Strong project-management communication and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of CATIA/LCA and relevant automotive PDM BoM and change-management systems.
• Fluent English at C1 level or higher.

Previous experience working on Bentley projects or within the Bentley organisation would be considered a significant advantage.

Knowledge of systems such as Teamcenter KVS AVON KPM TI-REX/TI-Syncro BCTS/JIRA or equivalent automotive OEM systems would be particularly relevant.

The position is fully on-site in Crewe. Candidates must already reside in the UK and be available for full-time on-site work.