Eaton's IS VEH EMB division is currently seeking a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer-High Voltage Connector. This is a hybrid work opportunity based from our Southfield, MI campus.
Eaton's Power Connections business is seeking a Lead High Voltage Connector Mechanical Design Engineer to develop high-voltage automotive connection systems from concept through production. This role provides technical leadership for connector and terminal design, requirements, analysis, design reviews, risk management, validation, and industrialization. The engineer partners with customers and cross-functional teams to translate application needs into robust, manufacturable, and compliant product solutions.
The expected annual salary range for this role is $97000 - $143000 a year. This position is also eligible for a variable incentive program.
Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Eaton announced, on June 11, 2026, the intent to combine its Mobility Group (including both the Vehicle and eMobility segments) with a new company. We expect to complete this process by the end of the first half of 2027. The compensation and benefits that will initially be offered for this position are based on Eaton's plans, programs and practices. If you are offered and accept this position and are actively employed by the Mobility Group when the transaction closes, the new company will provide further details to employees concerning compensation and benefits at that time.
What you'll do:- Own the mechanical design and technical definition of high-voltage connector and terminal systems from concept through launch and post-launch support.
- Translate customer, regulatory, and internal requirements into clear product-level and component-level engineering requirements, including interfaces, environmental conditions, electrical performance, sealing, packaging, serviceability, and ergonomics.
- Lead concept generation, trade studies, tolerance analysis, material and plating selection, design reviews, and design release activities using a structured product-development process.
- Create and maintain engineering deliverables, including drawings, specifications, bills of material, engineering change documentation, interface definitions, design verification plans and reports, and technical reports.
- Lead design risk management using the AIAG-VDA DFMEA methodology and ensure design controls, verification, and lessons learned are reflected in product requirements and design standards.
- Develop validation strategies and support DV/PV testing against customer and industry requirements. Review test results, investigate failures, document root cause, and drive corrective actions to closure.
- Partner with CAE specialists to define analysis plans, interpret simulation results, correlate models to test data, and improve design guidelines for high-voltage connection systems.
- Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, supplier quality, sourcing, program management, test engineering, and suppliers to ensure product manufacturability, process capability, APQP and PPAP readiness, and on-time technical delivery.
- Lead technical discussions with customers and suppliers, communicate risks and tradeoffs, and provide evidence-based recommendations to project and business leaders.
- Mentor engineers and designers, capture lessons learned, and contribute to common design practices, checklists, and standards across the Power Connections organization.
- Promote a safe working environment and follow Eaton environmental, health, safety, quality, and ethics requirements.
Qualifications:Required Basic Qualifications: - Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution
- Minimum five (5) years of product design, product development in automotive connectors, terminals, electrical distribution, electromechanical products, or a closely related field.
- Minimum two (2) years experience developing high voltage automotive connection systems or comparable high voltage electromechanical products or related experience.
- Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.
- No relocation is available for this position. Candidates must reside within 50 miles of Southfield, MI to be considered. (Active Duty Miltiary are exempt from this geographical limitation).
Preferred Qualifications: - Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science from an accredited institution
- Experience with automotive connector and terminal standards and customer requirements, such as USCAR-2 and applicable high-voltage connection-system standards, plus relevant ISO, IEC, DIN, or UL requirements.
- Experience with stamped-metal terminals, copper alloys, contact interfaces, plating systems, polymer housings, seals, injection molding, and design for assembly.
- Knowledge of Siemens NX, Teamcenter, or comparable CAD and product lifecycle management tools.
- Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, engineering change management, supplier technical reviews, and automotive product launches.
- Experience applying problem-solving methods such as 8D, root-cause analysis, or Design for Six Sigma.
Skills:- Customer-focused technical judgment and the ability to convert ambiguity into clear engineering decisions.
- Ability to lead through influence across engineering, program management, quality, manufacturing, sourcing, suppliers, and customers.
- Curiosity, continuous learning, and willingness to challenge assumptions using data and sound engineering principles.
- Commitment to collaboration, inclusion, transparency, and constructive technical debate.
- Experience using 3D CAD and engineering drawings to develop and release production-intent components and assemblies.
- Experience with structured design risk management and product validation, including DFMEA and design verification planning.
All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates' privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.
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Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.
You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.
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We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
