What are the responsibilities and job description for the Applications Engineer - Lighting Electronics position at Altair Engineering, Inc.?
Transforming the Future with Convergence of Simulation and Data
Applications Engineer Lighting Electronics
Job Summary:
Our client in Dearborn, MI is looking for an Applications Engineer Lighting Electronics. This is a contract position.
What You Will Do:
This role is responsible for the design, development, release, and quality assurance of next-generation automotive lighting electronics—specifically 48V Lighting Driver Modules (LDMs). The position requires strong cross-functional collaboration, technical depth in electronics systems engineering, and hands-on engagement from concept through launch and warranty. New 48V Lighting Driver Module Development - Partner with the lead engineer to own a defined subset of LDM components, requirements, and design deliverables.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Lead and facilitate design reviews with internal teams and external suppliers.
- Develop, review, and maintain all quality and compliance documentation.
- Ensure all regulatory, legal, and certification requirements are met (FMVSS, ECE, RF certification, homologation, etc.).
- Create and execute comprehensive Design Verification Plans (DVPs) for bench, HIL, and vehicle-level testing aligned to program milestones (DCV, PEC, FEC, etc.).
- Track validation status and issues using FEDE, JIRA, and program-specific tools.
- Manage component and system releases within WERS.
- Support vehicle program launches by driving issue resolution and presenting status to management.
- Collaborate with IVI, Body Exterior, Vehicle Operations, and other cross-functional teams to ensure interface compatibility and manufacturing/assembly readiness.
- Travel to supplier sites and Our Client's assembly plants to support design reviews, launch readiness, APQP, and PPAP approvals.
- Additional deliverables may include: FEDE BOM, Netcom Message List, ARXML files, Device Transmittal updates, VSCS documentation, ED&T and Mountain charts, and ESOW support.
- Warranty, Quality, and Continuous Improvement Support - Conduct weekly Warranty Parts Center (WPC) reviews with suppliers.
- Participate in weekly warranty performance reviews with suppliers and PVT teams.
- Maintain warranty databases and dashboards (Excel, Power BI, SharePoint, etc.).
- Prepare and present warranty analysis to management and program stakeholders.
- Work with Quality and FCSD teams on root-cause investigations and improvement actions.
Basics:
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Product Engineering, Release Engineering, Quality Engineer, Systems Engineering . Product Engineering.
- Partner with the lead engineer to own a defined subset of LDM components, requirements, and design deliverables.
- Lead and facilitate design reviews with internal teams and external suppliers.
- Support vehicle program launches by driving issue resolution and presenting status to management.
- Collaborate with IVI, Body Exterior, Vehicle Operations, and other cross-functional teams to ensure interface compatibility and manufacturing/assembly readiness.
- Travel to supplier sites and Our Client's assembly plants to support design reviews, launch readiness, APQP, and PPAP approvals as needed. Release Engineering.
- Manage component and system releases within WERS.
- Support Netcom Message List, ARXML, Device Transmittal, VSCS, ED&T and Mountain Charts, ESOW.
- Quality Engineering.
- Develop, review, and maintain all quality and compliance documentation.
- Ensure all regulatory, legal, and certification requirements are met (FMVSS, ECE, RF certification, homologation, etc.).
- Systems Engineering.
- Create and execute comprehensive Design Verification Plans (DVPs) for bench, HIL, and vehicle-level testing aligned to program milestones (DCV, PEC, FEC, etc.).
- Track validation status and issues using FEDE, JIRA, and program-specific tools.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in automotive electrical system design, validation, and testing (hardware, software, or systems engineering).
- Onsite position. Expected to be at the office from Monday to Thursday.
Preferred:
- Master's Degree.
- Proficiency with vehicle network tools such as CANalyzer.
- Experience with 48V electrical system development or testing is a strong plus.
How You Will Be Successful:
- Envision the Future
- Communicate Honestly and Broadly
- Seek Technology and Business “First”
- Embrace Diversity and Take Risks
What We Offer:
- Competitive Salary
- Comprehensive Benefit Package
- 401(k) with matching contributions
- Paid Time Off
- Employee Discounts
- Free training on all Altair products
Why Work with Us:
Altair is a global technology company providing software and cloud solutions in the areas of data analytics, product development, and high-performance computing (HPC). Altair enables organizations in nearly every industry to compete more effectively in a connected world, while creating a more sustainable future. With more than 3,000 engineers, scientists, and creative thinkers in 25 countries, we help solve our customer’s toughest challenges and deliver unparalleled service, helping the innovators innovate, drive better decisions, and turn today’s problems into tomorrow’s opportunities.
Our vision is to transform customer decision making with data analytics, simulation, and high-performance computing.
For more than 30 years, we have been helping our customers integrate electronics and controls with mechanical design to expand product value, develop AI, simulation and data-driven digital twins to drive better decisions, and deliver advanced HPC and cloud solutions to support unlimited idea exploration. To learn more, please visit altair.com
Ready to go? #ONLYFORWARD
At our core we are explorers; adventures; pioneers. We are the brains behind some of the world’s most revolutionary innovations and are not only comfortable in new and unchartered waters, we dive headfirst. We are the original trailblazers that make the impossible possible, discovering new solutions to our customer’s toughest challenges.
Altair is an equal opportunity employer. Our backgrounds are diverse, and every member of our global team is critical to our success. Altair’s history demonstrations a belief that empowering each individual authentic voice reinforces a culture that thrives because of the uniqueness among our team.