Lead Engineer - Damper Yoke

About Tata Technologies

Tata Technologies Ltd is a global leader in professional services, specializing in Engineering & Design, Product Lifecycle Management, Enterprise Solutions, and Plant Automation. The company supports manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, and general manufacturing to enhance revenue and profit through superior product development, combining onshore expertise with offshore delivery capabilities.

Role Overview

The Lead Engineer for Damper Yoke will be responsible for overseeing the complete delivery lifecycle of damper yoke, clevis, and mounting interface components. This includes managing everything from concept and requirement definitions to detailed design, validation, and launch assistance. The role demands leadership in technical decisions, collaboration across related suspension systems, supplier coordination, and ensuring goals concerning quality, cost, weight, durability, and timelines are met.

Key Responsibilities

• Own system and module design, establishing architecture, performance targets, load cases, and requirement cascades for damper yoke and mounting interfaces.
• Lead the integration and design strategy involving damper, knuckle, control arm, spring modules, bushings, fasteners, and vehicle packaging interfaces.
• Ensure packaging feasibility considering suspension travel, jounce/rebound characteristics, steering and wheel envelopes, brake clearance, and maintenance accessibility.
• Drive DFMEA, DVP&R activities, conduct design and tolerance stack-up reviews, and prepare components for release.
• Develop validation strategies relating to strength, durability, fatigue resistance, stiffness, corrosion protection, abuse loads, and overall vehicle robustness.
• Lead supplier technical engagement by supporting RFQs, creating technical specifications, reviewing designs, closing issues, and managing APQP/PPAP compliances.
• Conduct root cause investigations for failures such as cracks, deformation, durability issues, NVH/noise problems, fastener loosening, and interface discrepancies.
• Manage program execution aspects including risk assessment, maturity evaluation, milestone deliverables, change control, and release management.
• Guide and mentor engineering teams, reviewing deliverables, leading CAD/CAE workflows, and ensuring adherence to project schedules.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Automobile Engineering or a related field.
• 10 to 15+ years of experience in automotive chassis or suspension product development.
• In-depth knowledge of suspension load paths, damper mounting interfaces, component designs such as brackets, yokes, clevis, fasteners, bushings, and structural durability principles.
• Proven leadership in coordinating suppliers and interdisciplinary teams including design, CAE, testing, manufacturing, quality assurance, and program management.
• Strong grasp of manufacturing feasibility concerning forged, cast, machined, stamped, welded, or fabricated suspension parts.

Tools and Methodologies

• CAD software: Proficient with CATIA V5 and V6.
• Product Lifecycle Management: Experience with Teamcenter, ENOVIA, or comparable suites.
• Quality and Delivery Techniques: Skilled in DFMEA, Design Validation Plans & Reports (DVP&R), root cause analysis methods such as 8D and 5-Why, and APQP/PPAP processes.

Desirable Experience

• Familiarity with hybrid and electric vehicle architectures.
• Experience working within structured product development environments and processes like PDP, APQP, and PPAP.
• Exposure to supplier development for damper and suspension modules as well as vehicle durability problem-solving.

Behavioral Attributes

• Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving abilities backed by data-driven decision making.
• High levels of ownership, thoroughness, and discipline in project delivery.
• Capability to operate effectively with global suppliers and across multiple sites.