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

About the Role

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Technical Scope

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

Requirements

• Minimum 4–5 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.

Desirable

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.

Working Conditions

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