Job Description : Design & Development Engineer

Industry: Automotive / Sheet Metal & Tubular Component Manufacturing

Location: LK AUTOMOTIVE PVT LTD , MAKARPURA GIDC Vadodara, Gujarat

Department: Design & Development

Reporting To: Management

About the RoleWe are looking for an experienced and technically strong Design & Development Engineer to lead the design, development, and industrialization of sheet metal and tubular components, complex assemblies, tooling, and fixtures.

The candidate should have strong hands-on knowledge of SolidWorks, press tool design, fixture development, sheet metal manufacturing processes, welding, tubular component development, and new product development. Experience in an IATF 16949-certified automotive manufacturing setting will be highly preferred.

- Key ResponsibilitiesLead design and development of sheet metal, tubular components, and complex assemblies from concept to production.
- Develop and modify 3D models, 2D drawings, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks.
- Design and develop tools for hydraulic and mechanical presses, including forming, bending, blanking, deep-drawing and other sheet metal operations.
- Design and develop:
-

- Welding fixtures
- Checking / inspection fixtures
- Assembly fixtures
- Production and process fixtures
- Develop tooling and processes considering DFM/DFA, manufacturability, dimensional accuracy, cycle time, cost, and quality requirements.
- Have robust knowledge of sheet metal manufacturing processes including:
-

- Laser cutting
- Press punching
- Blanking
- Bending
- Forming
- Deep drawing
- Press operations
- Welding and fabrication
- Possess hands-on knowledge of CNC 3-axis pipe bending machines, including machine operation, programming concepts, tooling, bend sequence, development, and troubleshooting.
- Develop and optimize tubular components and pipe bending processes.
- Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T;, tolerances, material specifications, and customer requirements.
- Have sound knowledge of welding symbols, welding processes, welding sequence, weld quality requirements, and welding process management.




- Support development and optimization of welding fixtures and welding processes for dimensional accuracy and repeatability.
- Coordinate with Production, Quality, Purchase, and Tool Room teams during new product development and process implementation.
- Conduct tooling and fixture trials, identify issues, and implement corrective actions.
- Support prototype development, sample submission, PPAP, APQP, FMEA, Control Plan, and process documentation as applicable.
- Analyze development-related quality issues and implement effective design and process improvements.
- Ensure designs and development activities comply with IATF 16949 and applicable customer-specific requirements.
- Work closely with customers for drawing clarification, design changes, development issues, and technical approvals.
- Manage multiple development projects, timelines, tooling requirements, and engineering deliverables.
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction, process improvement, cycle-time reduction, and productivity enhancement.

Required Technical SkillsSoftware & Design

- Strong hands-on experience in SolidWorks.
- Excellent knowledge of 3D modelling, sheet metal modelling, assemblies, 2D drawings, detailing, and design modifications.
- Knowledge of tool design for hydraulic and mechanical presses.
- Good understanding of GD&T;, tolerances, fits, and engineering drawings.

Sheet Metal & Tubular Manufacturing

- Strong knowledge of laser cutting, punching, blanking, bending, forming, deep drawing, and press operations.
- Knowledge of CNC 3-axis pipe bending machines and their operation is mandatory.
- Understanding of tubular component development and fabrication.

Welding

- Knowledge of welding symbols and engineering drawings.
- Valuable understanding of welding processes,



welding sequence, parameters, fixtures, quality requirements, and welding management.
- Ability to develop and troubleshoot welding fixtures and welding processes.

Fixtures & Tooling

- Hydraulic and mechanical press tooling
- Welding fixtures
- Checking fixtures
- Assembly fixtures
- Production/process fixtures
- Tool and fixture troubleshooting and improvement

Microsoft Office

- Strong working knowledge of MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to prepare technical reports, presentations, development status reports, BOMs, tooling documentation, and engineering data.
- Preferred KnowledgeIATF 16949 requirements
- APQP & PPAP
- DFMEA / PFMEA
- Control Plans
- MSA and SPC fundamentals
- 8D / Root Cause Analysis
- Customer-specific requirements
- Automotive component development
- Tooling and fixture cost estimation
- Desired Candidate ProfileQualification: Diploma / B.E. / B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
- Experience: [5–10+ years] in sheet metal, tubular component, automotive component, or fabrication industry.
- Strong practical understanding of manufacturing processes and tooling, not just theoretical design knowledge.
- Ability to independently handle new product development from drawing review through production launch.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, communication, and team-management skills.
- Ability to coordinate effectively with customers, suppliers, production, quality, and tool-room teams.
- A hands-on approach with the ability to identify manufacturing problems on the shop floor and provide practical engineering solutions.
- Key Performance AreasTimely completion of new product development
- Tooling and fixture development
- Successful prototype and production trials
- Reduction in development and tooling-related issues
- Improvement in product quality and dimensional accuracy
- Cost and cycle-time optimization
- Effective customer coordination
- Compliance with IATF 16949 requirements
- Successful transition of new products from development to mass production

📌 Design And Development Engineer (Vadodara)
🏢 Lk Automotive Private
📍 Vadodara