What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design & Release Engineer - Exterior Lighting position at ALTEN Technology USA?
We're ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000 experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.
As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000 engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.
When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you'll collaborate on some of the world's toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
Role Overview
- As a Design & Release Engineer (DRE) for Exterior Lighting, you will play a pivotal role in the development, validation, and industrialization of exterior lighting systems (e.g., headlamps, taillights, fog lamps, illuminated grilles, and sensors).
- This role combines design engineering with rigorous testing and release processes to ensure that lighting components meet performance, safety, regulatory, and cost targets.
- You will collaborate with cross-functional teams (optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers), suppliers, and manufacturing plants to deliver high-quality lighting solutions from concept to mass production.
- This position is ideal for engineers who enjoy both technical design and hands-on validation, with opportunities to grow into project leadership and supplier management.
Key Responsibilities
1. Design & Development
- Support the design of exterior lighting components (3D/2D modeling using NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks).
- Assist in optimizing designs for performance, manufacturability, and cost efficiency.
- Collaborate with optical and electrical teams to integrate lighting systems (LED, halogen, adaptive lighting) into vehicle architectures.
- Contribute to system requirement definitions (e.g., optical performance, thermal management, regulatory compliance).
- Work with suppliers to develop and iterate prototypes based on testing feedback.
2. Testing & Validation
- Plan and execute Design Verification Plans (DVP&R) to validate lighting components against specifications.
- Conduct functional and durability tests (e.g., environmental, thermal, vibration, and regulatory compliance tests).
- Analyze test results and troubleshoot failures (e.g., using 8D reports, CPRT, or Quality Alert tools).
- Ensure compliance with automotive lighting regulations (e.g., FMVSS, ECE, IIHS requirements).
- Support vehicle-level validation (e.g., on-road testing, assembly plant evaluations).
3. Release & Industrialization
- Assist in managing engineering changes (Change Notices - CNs) and temporary/permanent deviations.
- Coordinate with suppliers to implement DFMEAs and PFMEAs for risk mitigation.
- Support pilot phases in manufacturing plants to ensure smooth production ramp-up.
- Contribute to cost reduction initiatives (TCR/VO) without compromising quality or performance.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with purchasing, quality, and manufacturing teams to resolve technical issues.
- Participate in supplier meetings to align on design, validation, and production timelines.
- Support warranty investigations and continuous improvement activities.
- Document technical decisions and share best practices with the engineering team.
Basic Qualifications
- Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience:
- 0–5 years of experience in automotive engineering (OEM or Tier 1), with exposure to design, testing, or release processes.
- Internships or co-op experience in lighting systems, electronics, or automotive components are a plus.
- Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in 3D/2D modeling tools (NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks).
- Basic understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing).
- Familiarity with automotive lighting regulations (e.g., FMVSS, ECE) is a plus.
- Knowledge of LED technology, optics, or thermal management is desirable.
- Soft Skills:
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively (written and verbal).
- Fluent in English (technical discussions).
- Tools/Methodologies:
- Exposure to DFMEA, DVP&R, or Six Sigma (Green Belt certification is a plus).
- Familiarity with PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill) is beneficial.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Engineering or a related field.
- Experience with automotive exterior lighting development (e.g., headlamps, taillights).
- Hands-on experience with prototyping, testing, or validation in a manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of emerging lighting technologies (e.g., adaptive lighting, laser, matrix LED).
- Proficiency in Italian, French, or German (for global collaboration).
- Prior experience with supplier management or cross-functional project leadership.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.
Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process.
Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.