Design Engineer - Original Equipment

- Join Thule’s Passionate Team and Shape the Future of Automotive Product Development!

Are you an innovative engineer eager to contribute to cutting-edge products that enhance active lifestyles? Do you have a strong interest in the automotive industry and want to work with world-leading car manufacturers to design and develop high-quality products? If you’re looking for a role that challenges your engineering skills and pushes the boundaries of automotive accessories, we want to hear from you!

At Thule, we are constantly pushing the limits of product development. We are a world leader in providing smart, secure, and stylish solutions for people who live life to the fullest. As we continue to expand, we are looking for a talented Design Engineer to join our Original Equipment Supplier (OES) department.

About the Role:
As a Design Engineer in the OES department, you will be part of a dynamic team working closely with global automotive manufacturers to develop tailored solutions for various car models. You will work on an exciting range of products including roof racks, roof boxes, bike carriers, water and winter sport solutions, and more—designed to meet specific customer requirements.

You will be responsible for developing state-of-the-art products alongside cross-functional project teams, including Project Managers, Simulation Engineers, Test Engineers, Prototype Technicians, and fellow Design Engineers. You will manage the complete product development cycle—from concept to industrialization—while ensuring that each product meets our high standards for quality, performance, cost, and design.

You will leverage your mechanical engineering knowledge and utilize tools such as CAD, simulation software, and moldflow analysis to create both functional and aesthetically appealing products. As a key player in the product development process, you will also handle prototype orders, evaluate test results, and incorporate any necessary design changes based on testing and analysis.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Design and develop high-quality products and components for automotive OEMs, ensuring they meet specific requirements for functionality, cost, and timeline.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to lead the development from concept to production, while managing key product attributes like mechanical performance, manufacturability, and design compliance.
• Use CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred) and other technical tools for product design, simulation, and analysis.
• Collaborate with prototyping teams to test, validate, and refine product designs.
• Analyze test results and make design adjustments to improve strength, durability, and overall performance.
• Ensure that all designs are feasible for high-volume production, focusing on manufacturability and cost efficiency.

What We’re Looking For:

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent, with some years of relevant work experience in design engineering.
• Ideally, you have experience in the automotive industry or in consumer products for high-volume production.
• Experience in 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and experience with PLM systems and technical documentation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze and adapt designs based on feedback from testing and simulations.
• A hands-on, proactive, and entrepreneurial mindset, with a passion for creating products that meet customer needs and exceed expectations.
• A collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
• Fluency in English—it’s the main language we use for communication. 

About You:

• You have a genuine passion for product development and a keen interest in the automotive sector.
• You thrive in a team-oriented environment and enjoy collaborating with diverse groups to solve complex engineering challenges.
• You’re self-motivated, enthusiastic, and excited to make a real impact through your work.

About our Global Product Development Department 
Globally we are over 250 engineers out of the majority is working in our Global Product Development Center in Hillerstorp (Sweden). Our cross functional team consists of highly skilled and motivated members with a well-balanced variety of experiences. We are a truly global company with an international and multi-cultural team. English is the language we use in our daily communication. We see a great future with continued passion for product development that is so vital for our growth as a company. We set great value in our working environment and offer great premises designed for product development. In our Global R&D center in Hillerstorp we have expanded with new offices, landscapes, team rooms and creative areas, but also great prototype areas including cut & sew and electronics lab..

Application 
The role reports to our Director Design Engineering Stefan Almhill (Stefan.almhill@thule.com). 
Stefan is able to answer detailed questions regarding the position by e-mail.
For more information about the recruitment process or the position, please contact the recruiter Fredrik Stigbäck, Fredrik.stigback@thule.com or +46732 360560
Please apply through our website www.thulegroup.com/open-positions with CV and personal letter. Do not wait to show your interest until the last application date as interviews are held continuously during the process and the position might be filled before the last application deadline, which is January 12th 2025.