Automotive Lead Engineer – Interior 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 seeking experienced Automotive Lead Engineers specialising in Interior Systems, Seating and Restraints to join a long-term automotive engineering programme in Crewe.

The successful candidate will be responsible for an assigned technical perimeter, coordinating supporting engineering resources and managing Current Model Production issues through to validated and released production solutions.

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 the required 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 project 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:

• Interior trim systems
• Seating systems
• Restraint systems, including airbags and seatbelts
• Trim feasibility through digital and physical models
• Interior packaging, component interfaces and occupant requirements
• Component testing, validation and production implementation

Requirements

• Minimum 4–5 years of relevant automotive engineering experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of interior systems, seating and/or restraint systems.
• 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.