Engineering Design Manager Jobs in Michigan
Engineering Design Manager jobs in Michigan are in steady demand, concentrated in automotive, defense, and advanced manufacturing sectors, with openings at every level from early-career leads through senior directors overseeing cross-functional teams. Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by long-established employers such as Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Gentex Corporation. The most sought-after specialties in Michigan include product development engineering, systems integration, and manufacturing process design. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The* Chassis Layout Designer* is responsible for creating 3D designs and 2D drawings using NX and Teamcenter for various chassis components and assemblies. This role involves participation in the entire design process-from conceptual model creation to production-level design and detailing.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing, laying out, and maintaining NX CAD models and 2D drawings.
- Supporting engineers, design supervisors, design leaders, and other designers as needed.
- Ensuring accuracy and compliance with design standards throughout the development cycle.
This position offers hands-on involvement in the design and development of chassis systems, providing an excellent opportunity to build foundational skills in automotive design.
Basic Qualifications:
- Education:
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Minimum 32 credits toward completion of an associate degree, including CAD classes.
- Technical Skills:
- Training or work experience in NX (Unigraphics) automotive design.
- Practical knowledge of vehicles and the vehicle assembly process.
- Basic understanding or coursework on manufacturing processes (e.g., stamping, welding, molding, casting).
- Strong mechanical aptitude.
- Software Skills:
- Experienced with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Associate degree or higher in Mechanical Design, Engineering Technology, or related field.
- Experience with Teamcenter or similar PLM systems.
- Familiarity with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
- Exposure to automotive chassis systems or related components.
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment and communicate effectively.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
The* Chassis Layout Designer* is responsible for creating 3D designs and 2D drawings using NX and Teamcenter for various chassis components and assemblies. This role involves participation in the entire design process-from conceptual model creation to production-level design and detailing.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing, laying out, and maintaining NX CAD models and 2D drawings.
- Supporting engineers, design supervisors, design leaders, and other designers as needed.
- Ensuring accuracy and compliance with design standards throughout the development cycle.
This position offers hands-on involvement in the design and development of chassis systems, providing an excellent opportunity to build foundational skills in automotive design.
Basic Qualifications:
- Education:
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Minimum 32 credits toward completion of an associate degree, including CAD classes.
- Technical Skills:
- Training or work experience in NX (Unigraphics) automotive design.
- Practical knowledge of vehicles and the vehicle assembly process.
- Basic understanding or coursework on manufacturing processes (e.g., stamping, welding, molding, casting).
- Strong mechanical aptitude.
- Software Skills:
- Experienced with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Associate degree or higher in Mechanical Design, Engineering Technology, or related field.
- Experience with Teamcenter or similar PLM systems.
- Familiarity with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
- Exposure to automotive chassis systems or related components.
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment and communicate effectively.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
See All 18 Engineering Design Manager Jobs in Michigan
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Find JobsEngineering Design Manager Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Engineering Design Manager Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Automotive
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in engineering design manager jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering required by most Michigan employers
- Five or more years of engineering experience with at least two in a supervisory or lead role
- Proficiency in CAD platforms such as CATIA, SolidWorks, or NX commonly required
- Experience managing product development programs within automotive or defense environments
- Familiarity with APQP, DFMEA, and stage-gate product development processes
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills working with manufacturing, quality, and program management teams
Engineering Design Manager Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a engineering design manager in Michigan?
Most engineering design managers in Michigan start with a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or a related engineering discipline, often from Michigan universities such as University of Michigan or Michigan State University. From there, employers typically expect several years of hands-on engineering work before moving into a lead or management role. A Professional Engineer license issued through the Michigan Board of Licensure for Engineers and Surveyors strengthens candidacy considerably, particularly with larger automotive and defense employers.
Which companies hire engineering design managers in Michigan?
Employers hiring engineering design managers in Michigan right now include SmithGroup, Molex, and General Motors (GM), based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Michigan's deep roots in automotive manufacturing and defense contracting mean many of these employers maintain ongoing demand for design management talent across product lines and facilities.
Which Michigan cities have the most engineering design manager jobs?
Detroit, Warren, and Michigan are the Michigan cities with the most engineering design manager openings, reflecting the concentration of automotive headquarters, Tier-1 suppliers, and defense contractors in the greater Detroit corridor, while Ann Arbor draws additional openings through its university research partnerships and technology-oriented engineering firms.
Are there remote engineering design manager jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're relatively uncommon. Engineering design manager roles often require hands-on oversight of prototypes, lab environments, or manufacturing floors, which limits full remote arrangements. About 67% of engineering design manager openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid schedules more available in program management or systems engineering tracks where day-to-day work is less tied to a physical facility.
How can I get hired as a engineering design manager in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is moving into a lead engineer or senior engineer role first, which many large Michigan automotive and defense employers use as a proving ground before promoting into management. Ford, General Motors, and major Tier-1 suppliers regularly bring on new engineering graduates through structured rotational and development programs that build exposure across design, manufacturing, and quality functions. Earning a Professional Engineer license early and building a portfolio of completed design projects signals readiness for management responsibility to Michigan hiring teams.
Where can I find and apply to engineering design manager jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to engineering design manager jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 18 Engineering Design Manager Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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