Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Development Engineer jobs in Michigan are highly active, concentrated in automotive engineering, advanced manufacturing, and mobility technology, with openings at every level from early-career positions through senior and principal roles. Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids are the primary hiring centers, where established employers like Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis maintain large engineering workforces and regularly recruit development engineers. The most in-demand specialties include powertrain and propulsion systems development, electric vehicle platform engineering, and product validation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Development Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 90+ Development Engineer jobs
At tesa, we're not just colleagues; we're collaborators who thrive on pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Our mission is to create sustainable adhesive solutions that improve the work, products, and lives of our customers - we're passionate about making a difference!
The Business Development Engineer that is selected to join our Electrical Systems (ES) team will successfully initiate, manage, and complete customer projects and spec-in activities during the early stages of a vehicle design process for key initiatives across the customers and partners in their business sector. In addition, they will take lead in resolving technical challenges related to wire harness applications to ensure long-term and sustainable business with key customers and partners.
How you'll help the formula:
- Identify and evaluate new business opportunities in the Electrical Systems market.
- Establish a network of existing and new contacts within assigned strategic area through various prospecting channels (CRM, LinkedIn, cold calling, etc.) to initiate new projects with focus customers/partners in partnership with internal sales teams.
- Prepare and deliver technical presentations and proposals to prospective clients early in the design phase.
- Track and report on business development activities and progress toward targets.
- Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform business strategies.
- Support contract negotiations and ensure alignment with company goals.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Four-year college degree in an engineering field, or higher degree.
- 5 years of working experience in engineering, sales, business development, or technical sales.
- Ability to communicate and present with the ability to influence complex organizational structures.
- Strong analytical skills and creative problem-solving capabilities.
- Skilled and proficient in use of computers, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Must have a current, valid driver’s license, passport, and physical ability to drive for lengthy periods; must be available for air/auto travel up to 25% of the time.
- Ability and willingness to adapt own work schedule to satisfy customer needs.
#LI-HYBRID
tesa tape
Posted on: 9/25/26
At tesa, we're not just colleagues; we're collaborators who thrive on pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Our mission is to create sustainable adhesive solutions that improve the work, products, and lives of our customers - we're passionate about making a difference!
The Business Development Engineer that is selected to join our Electrical Systems (ES) team will successfully initiate, manage, and complete customer projects and spec-in activities during the early stages of a vehicle design process for key initiatives across the customers and partners in their business sector. In addition, they will take lead in resolving technical challenges related to wire harness applications to ensure long-term and sustainable business with key customers and partners.
How you'll help the formula:
- Identify and evaluate new business opportunities in the Electrical Systems market.
- Establish a network of existing and new contacts within assigned strategic area through various prospecting channels (CRM, LinkedIn, cold calling, etc.) to initiate new projects with focus customers/partners in partnership with internal sales teams.
- Prepare and deliver technical presentations and proposals to prospective clients early in the design phase.
- Track and report on business development activities and progress toward targets.
- Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform business strategies.
- Support contract negotiations and ensure alignment with company goals.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Four-year college degree in an engineering field, or higher degree.
- 5 years of working experience in engineering, sales, business development, or technical sales.
- Ability to communicate and present with the ability to influence complex organizational structures.
- Strong analytical skills and creative problem-solving capabilities.
- Skilled and proficient in use of computers, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Must have a current, valid driver’s license, passport, and physical ability to drive for lengthy periods; must be available for air/auto travel up to 25% of the time.
- Ability and willingness to adapt own work schedule to satisfy customer needs.
#LI-HYBRID
tesa tape
Posted on: 9/25/26
See All 90 Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Engineer JobsDevelopment Engineer Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Engineer Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Ford Motor Company15
- General Motors (GM)5
- KLA2
- RESRG2R
- Atwell2
Top Industries Hiring
- Automotive
- Electronics & Hardware
- Manufacturing
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development engineer jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or automotive engineering or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with product development lifecycle from concept through validation and launch
- Proficiency in CAD software such as CATIA, NX, or SolidWorks for design and modeling work
- Familiarity with DFMEA, GD&T, and APQP processes commonly required in Michigan automotive programs
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, and suppliers
- Professional Engineer licensure or active pursuit of PE registration through Michigan's LARA licensing board preferred for senior roles
Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development engineer in Michigan?
Most development engineer roles in Michigan require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or a related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program. Michigan does not mandate a state license for most industry development engineer positions, but obtaining a Professional Engineer license through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs strengthens candidacy for senior roles. Automotive-focused coursework and co-op experience with Michigan-based manufacturers significantly improves hiring prospects.
How much do development engineers make in Michigan?
Development engineers in Michigan earn a median of about $103,230 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $63,930 for the lowest 10% to over $155,420 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire development engineers in Michigan?
Employers hiring development engineers in Michigan right now include Ford Motor Company, General Motors (GM), and KLA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Michigan's deep automotive and advanced manufacturing base means hiring is sustained year-round across both large OEMs and their extensive regional supplier networks.
Which Michigan cities have the most development engineer jobs?
Dearborn, Ann Arbor, and Farmington Hills lead Michigan for development engineer openings. Detroit and its metro suburbs anchor the largest concentration because of the headquarters and major engineering campuses of the domestic automotive OEMs, while Ann Arbor draws significant hiring from university-connected mobility startups and Tier 1 suppliers, and Grand Rapids supports openings tied to West Michigan's diversified manufacturing and medical device sectors.
Are there remote development engineer jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're rare. Development engineering is predominantly hands-on work involving lab testing, prototype builds, and supplier collaboration that requires physical presence. About 63% of development engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those openings tend to cover simulation, CAE analysis, or systems requirements roles where computer-based work can be done independently of a test facility.
How can I get hired as a development engineer in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a co-op or internship with a Michigan automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier while finishing an engineering degree, since Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis all run structured new-graduate and intern programs that convert directly to full-time offers. Adjacent roles like test technician, quality engineer, or product validation associate at Michigan suppliers are common lateral entry points. Pursuing Fundamentals of Engineering exam certification through LARA also signals readiness and gives early-career candidates a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to development engineer jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to development engineer jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings across the automotive, manufacturing, and mobility sectors. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 90 Development Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Engineer Jobs