Product Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Product Design Engineer jobs in Michigan are among the most active in the country, concentrated in automotive, advanced manufacturing, and consumer durables across the full spectrum from entry-level roles through senior principal positions. Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids account for the heaviest hiring, with long-established employers such as Ford Motor Company, Stellantis, and Whirlpool Corporation consistently filling product design engineer openings. The most in-demand specialties are CAD-driven mechanical design, plastics and tooling development, and design for manufacturability. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Candidate will Design, develop and validate air intake systems for internal combustion engine and hybrid electrified vehicles. Components include various types of low-pressure clean and dirty side ducts, air cleaners, make-up air hoses, and other related items including resonators, air filters, and brackets. High pressure charge ducts may also be included.
The candidate will be responsible for a set of air intake systems potentially in any/all stages of development which includes early packaging, design and execution of components to meet air intake system, engine, and vehicle level functional objectives. Activities include coordinating CAD design, CAE, prototyping, and physical testing as well as the documentation of those activities. Depending on program assignments, engineer may be required to support sourcing activities and/or once a supplier is sourced, coordinate and track supplier progress to ensure part maturity and milestones are met and aligned to best practice designs and methodologies including Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Design Validation Plans (DVP&R) to minimize risk. The engineer is also expected to provide occasional onsite support at applicable engine and/or vehicle assembly plants. Other responsibilities include: supporting quality concerns, process change validation, and technical cost reduction (value optimization) activities after vehicle launch.
Requirements:Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering or related degree field
- Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Must be able to lead and manage Suppliers
- Must be able to manage multiple concurrent activities
- A valid driver's license is required as well as a clean driving record
- Will be required to travel domestically and internationally up to 20%
- Some domestic and international travel (generally between the United States, Canada, and Mexico) to Supplier and Corporate vehicle or engine assembly plants, proving grounds, and/or technical centers
Preferred Qualifications:
- Masters Degree in Engineering
- Working knowledge of air intake systems, and components (preferred but not required)
- Ability to proactively communicate with others - including teammates, stakeholders and supervisor
- Ability to effectively operate independently in a remote or hybrid office/remote workplace
- General knowledge of CAD design
- General knowledge of spreadsheets and building presentations
The Candidate will Design, develop and validate air intake systems for internal combustion engine and hybrid electrified vehicles. Components include various types of low-pressure clean and dirty side ducts, air cleaners, make-up air hoses, and other related items including resonators, air filters, and brackets. High pressure charge ducts may also be included.
The candidate will be responsible for a set of air intake systems potentially in any/all stages of development which includes early packaging, design and execution of components to meet air intake system, engine, and vehicle level functional objectives. Activities include coordinating CAD design, CAE, prototyping, and physical testing as well as the documentation of those activities. Depending on program assignments, engineer may be required to support sourcing activities and/or once a supplier is sourced, coordinate and track supplier progress to ensure part maturity and milestones are met and aligned to best practice designs and methodologies including Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Design Validation Plans (DVP&R) to minimize risk. The engineer is also expected to provide occasional onsite support at applicable engine and/or vehicle assembly plants. Other responsibilities include: supporting quality concerns, process change validation, and technical cost reduction (value optimization) activities after vehicle launch.
Requirements:Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering or related degree field
- Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Must be able to lead and manage Suppliers
- Must be able to manage multiple concurrent activities
- A valid driver's license is required as well as a clean driving record
- Will be required to travel domestically and internationally up to 20%
- Some domestic and international travel (generally between the United States, Canada, and Mexico) to Supplier and Corporate vehicle or engine assembly plants, proving grounds, and/or technical centers
Preferred Qualifications:
- Masters Degree in Engineering
- Working knowledge of air intake systems, and components (preferred but not required)
- Ability to proactively communicate with others - including teammates, stakeholders and supervisor
- Ability to effectively operate independently in a remote or hybrid office/remote workplace
- General knowledge of CAD design
- General knowledge of spreadsheets and building presentations
See All 28 Product Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
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Find Product Design Engineer JobsProduct Design Engineer Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Product Design Engineer Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Stellantis15
- Molex4
- Ford Motor Company2
- Mann+Hummel1
- Maverick Tech1M
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in product design engineer jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or a closely related engineering field
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as CATIA, SolidWorks, or NX for part and assembly modeling
- Experience with GD&T, engineering drawings, and design-for-manufacturability principles
- Familiarity with automotive or consumer product development cycles and DFMEA processes
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, tooling, and quality
- Knowledge of material selection, plastics, metals, or composites relevant to Michigan's manufacturing base
Product Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a product design engineer in Michigan?
Most product design engineer roles in Michigan require a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or a related engineering discipline. Michigan does not require a state-issued license specifically for product design engineers in private industry, though engineers who stamp drawings for public projects may pursue licensure through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. In practice, hiring managers in Michigan's automotive and manufacturing sectors prioritize CAD proficiency, internship experience with a Michigan OEM or supplier, and a portfolio demonstrating real product development work.
Which companies hire product design engineers in Michigan?
Employers hiring product design engineers in Michigan right now include Stellantis, Molex, and Ford Motor Company, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Michigan's deep automotive supply chain means both global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers such as Lear, BorgWarner, and Gentex are consistent sources of openings alongside consumer-goods manufacturers in the Grand Rapids corridor.
Which Michigan cities have the most product design engineer jobs?
The cities with the most product design engineer openings in Michigan are Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, and Troy. Detroit and its surrounding suburbs dominate because the region is home to the headquarters and major technical centers of the domestic automotive industry, while Ann Arbor adds university-linked research and mobility startup activity, and Grand Rapids draws openings from its established concentration of appliance, office furniture, and consumer products manufacturers.
Are there remote product design engineer jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, because product design engineering regularly involves hands-on prototype review, lab access, and factory floor collaboration. About 63% of product design engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and the portions most suited to remote work are upstream concept development, CAD modeling, and design documentation rather than validation or launch-phase activities.
How can I get hired as a product design engineer in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a co-op or internship through Michigan's engineering universities, particularly the University of Michigan, Michigan State, or Michigan Technological University, which have structured pipelines directly into Ford, GM, Stellantis, and major Tier 1 suppliers. Candidates without a degree can pursue associate-level roles such as CAD technician or product development technician as a bridge. A strong SolidWorks or CATIA portfolio and any exposure to DFMEA or GD&T in coursework or personal projects gives an edge in Michigan's competitive automotive-focused hiring market.
Where can I find and apply to product design engineer jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to product design engineer jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings updated in real time. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 28 Product Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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