What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design Release Engineer - Ambient Lighting, Switches Engineer position at altentechnologyusa?
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
You will be a key contributor within a world-class automotive interior electronics and systems engineering team, responsible for the development and delivery of ambient lighting and switch system components. This role combines mechanical packaging, electrical systems integration, and supplier execution, working closely with design, electrical architecture, vehicle engineering, and HMI teams to deliver premium, functional, and safe interior lighting and switch solutions from concept through production.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead or support the engineering, packaging, release, and launch of ambient lighting systems and interior switch assemblies including door switches, overhead consoles, center stack controls, and indirect lighting zones
- Translate interior design and lighting design intent into production-feasible, optically correct, and electrically compliant solutions
- Define and manage component packaging envelopes, light pipe routing, diffuser geometry, and switch mechanism integration within trim assemblies
- Collaborate with electrical architecture and body electronics teams to align on LIN/CAN network requirements, dimming protocols, and software-controlled lighting zones
- Manage component-level DFMEA, DVPR, SCCAF, boundary diagrams, and robustness checklists through design and release milestones
- Ensure compliance with FMVSS and homologation requirements for interior lighting visibility, switch labeling, and illumination levels
- Work cross-functionally with HMI/UX, design, CMF, electrical integration, manufacturing, purchasing, and program teams
- Collaborate with lighting and switch suppliers to ensure optical performance, EMC compliance, thermal management, and cost and timing targets
- Support optical and photometric testing including luminance uniformity, color consistency, and intensity calibration across operating temperatures
- Perform and support DFM assessments for light pipe molding, LED integration, and switch mechanism assembly
- Support prototype builds and resolution of optical, functional, and integration quality findings
- Apply and continuously improve engineering tools, methods, and best practices to support accelerated product development
Required Qualifications
- 4 years' experience in automotive interior lighting, HMI, or switch system engineering
- Understanding of automotive lighting design principles including light pipe optics, LED integration, diffuser design, and luminance uniformity
- Familiarity with automotive electrical architecture, LIN/CAN bus communication, and ECU interface requirements for lighting and switch systems
- Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools for packaging and component integration
- Experience supporting vehicle or product launches, including supplier readiness and pre-production build support
- Familiarity with DFMEA, DVPR, SCCAF, and quality documentation processes
Nice to Have / Advantageous
- Ownership of at least one full ambient lighting or switch program lifecycle from concept through SOP
- Experience in a fast-paced OEM or startup EV environment where lighting is a key brand differentiator
- Deep knowledge of ambient lighting system architecture including zone controllers, master/slave LED modules, and software-driven color/intensity mapping
- Experience with optical simulation tools (e.g. LightTools, SPEOS, TracePro) for light pipe and diffuser design validation
- Understanding of EMC requirements and thermal derating for LED assemblies in enclosed trim environments
- Knowledge of haptic feedback switch systems, capacitive touch integration, and illuminated switch lens design
- Familiarity with photometric standards and OEM-specific luminance and color temperature requirements
- Hands-on, practical engineering mindset with strong attention to optical performance and systems integration
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across design, electrical, software, and supply chain teams
- Passion for creating premium, emotionally engaging interior lighting and control experiences
Salary Range:
- $120,000-$135,000
- The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience
ALTEN Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our Policy is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or veteran status.
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.
Salary : $120,000 - $135,000