Design & Release Engineer - Exterior Lighting

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 aDesign & Release Engineer (DRE) for Exterior Lighting, you will play apivotal 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 withrigorous testing and release processes to ensure that lighting components meetperformance, safety, regulatory, and cost targets.
• You will collaborate withcross-functional teams (optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers),suppliers, andmanufacturing plants to deliver high-quality lighting solutions fromconcept to mass production.
• This position is ideal for engineers who enjoy both technical design and hands-on validation, with opportunities to grow intoproject leadership andsupplier management.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design & Development

• Support thedesign of exterior lighting components (3D/2D modeling usingNX, CATIA, or SolidWorks).
• Assist inoptimizing designs for performance, manufacturability, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate withoptical and electrical teams to integrate lighting systems (LED, halogen, adaptive lighting) into vehicle architectures.
• Contribute tosystem requirement definitions (e.g., optical performance, thermal management, regulatory compliance).
• Work with suppliers todevelop and iterate prototypes based on testing feedback.

2. Testing & Validation

• Plan and executeDesign Verification Plans (DVP&R) to validate lighting components against specifications.
• Conductfunctional and durability tests (e.g., environmental, thermal, vibration, and regulatory compliance tests).
• Analyze test results andtroubleshoot failures (e.g., using8D reports, CPRT, or Quality Alert tools).
• Ensure compliance withautomotive lighting regulations (e.g., FMVSS, ECE, IIHS requirements).
• Supportvehicle-level validation (e.g., on-road testing, assembly plant evaluations).

3. Release & Industrialization

• Assist in managingengineering changes (Change Notices - CNs) and temporary/permanent deviations.
• Coordinate with suppliers toimplement DFMEAs and PFMEAs for risk mitigation.
• Supportpilot phases in manufacturing plants to ensure smooth production ramp-up.
• Contribute tocost reduction initiatives (TCR/VO) without compromising quality or performance.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely withpurchasing, quality, and manufacturing teams to resolve technical issues.
• Participate insupplier meetings to align on design, validation, and production timelines.
• Supportwarranty investigations and continuous improvement activities.
• Document technical decisions andshare best practices with the engineering team.

Basic Qualifications

• Education:
• • Bachelor’s degree inMechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience:
• • 0–5 years of experience inautomotive engineering (OEM or Tier 1), with exposure todesign, testing, or release processes.
  • Internships or co-op experience inlighting systems, electronics, or automotive components are a plus.
• Technical Skills:
• • Proficiency in3D/2D modeling tools (NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks).
  • Basic understanding ofGD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing).
  • Familiarity withautomotive lighting regulations (e.g., FMVSS, ECE) is a plus.
  • Knowledge ofLED technology, optics, or thermal management is desirable.
• Soft Skills:
• • Strongproblem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Ability towork in a team and communicate effectively (written and verbal).
  • Fluent in English (technical discussions).
• Tools/Methodologies:
• • Exposure toDFMEA, DVP&R, or Six Sigma (Green Belt certification is a plus).
  • Familiarity withPLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill) is beneficial.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree inEngineering or a related field.
• Experience withautomotive exterior lighting development (e.g., headlamps, taillights).
• Hands-on experience withprototyping, testing, or validation in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge ofemerging lighting technologies (e.g., adaptive lighting, laser, matrix LED).
• Proficiency inItalian, French, or German (for global collaboration).
• Prior experience withsupplier management orcross-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.

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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.