Design & Release Engineer

Auburn Hills, United States
On-site
Mid Level
Posted 13 Oct 2026

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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
8D reports, CPRT, or Quality Alert tools
Ensure compliance with
automotive lighting regulations
Support
vehicle-level validation
(e.g., on-road testing, assembly plant evaluations).
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
cost reduction initiatives (TCR/VO)
without compromising quality or performance.
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

Requirements

Proficiency in
(NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks).
Basic understanding of
GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing)
Familiarity with
automotive lighting regulations
LED technology, optics, or thermal management

Preferred

(Green Belt certification is a plus).
Master’s degree in
Engineering or a related field

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

Collaborate with

optical and electrical teams to integrate lighting systems (LED, halogen, adaptive lighting) into vehicle architectures.
(e.g., using
(e.g., FMVSS, ECE, IIHS requirements).
in manufacturing plants to ensure smooth production ramp-up.
Contribute to with the engineering team.

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

3D/2D modeling tools

(e.g., FMVSS, ECE) is a plus.
Knowledge of 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

Familiarity with

PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill) is beneficial.

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.