Research and Development Engineer, Chassis Development

Job Purpose

The Research & Development Engineer – Chassis Development is responsible for supporting the design, development, testing, and validation of chassis systems and components. The role ensures all engineering outputs meet NAFFCO’s quality, safety, regulatory, and performance standards while driving continuous improvement in product design and manufacturability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Evaluation & Supplier Coordination

• Review and validate technical specifications received from suppliers to ensure full compliance with engineering and project requirements.

• Coordinate with suppliers to resolve technical deviations, non-conformities, and specification gaps.

• Support supplier technical evaluations and provide engineering input for approval processes.

2. Design Development & Engineering Collaboration

• Work closely with design engineers to refine chassis components based on testing feedback and performance analysis.

• Contribute to design optimization for manufacturability, durability, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

• Support engineering change processes and documentation updates.

3. Testing & Validation

• Conduct and oversee fitment trials of chassis components to ensure proper integration and functionality.

• Perform structural, durability, and performance testing under various operational conditions.

• Analyze test results and recommend design improvements or corrective actions.

4. Materials & Component Engineering

• Evaluate and recommend materials based on mechanical performance, environmental conditions, safety standards, and regulatory compliance.

• Support material selection processes to ensure product reliability and lifecycle performance.

5. Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of development cycles, test reports, and engineering changes.

• Ensure adherence to NAFFCO quality standards, ISO requirements, and applicable industry regulations.

6. Project Execution & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure all R&D activities are executed within defined project timelines and budget constraints.

• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in chassis design, testing methods, and development processes.

• Stay updated with industry innovations and incorporate best practices into engineering work.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Design & Development Accuracy: % of chassis designs passing validation without major revisions.

• Testing Success Rate: % of components passing fitment and durability tests on first attempt.

• Engineering Change Efficiency: Average turnaround time for design modifications and improvements.

• Supplier Issue Resolution Time: Time taken to resolve technical non-conformities with suppliers.

• Project Timeliness: Adherence to R&D project milestones and delivery schedules.

• Documentation Compliance: Accuracy and completeness of technical reports and engineering records.

• Cost Optimization Contribution: Measurable improvements in material or design cost efficiency.

• Quality Compliance: Zero critical non-conformities in audits or internal quality checks.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field.

• Master’s Degree is an advantage.

Experience

• 3–7 years of experience in R&D, automotive, chassis development, or heavy vehicle engineering.

• Experience in structural design, testing, and product validation is preferred.

• Exposure to fire fighting vehicles or special-purpose vehicle manufacturing is an advantage.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and chassis systems.

• Experience with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, AutoCAD).

• Knowledge of material science and structural analysis.

• Familiarity with testing standards and validation procedures.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Excellent collaboration and cross-functional communication skills.

• High attention to detail and quality orientation.

• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.