Design Release Engineer, Body Interior- Hard Trim

Alten

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 trim engineering team, responsible for the development and delivery of soft interior trim components. This role focuses on material engineering, surface application, detail design, and launch execution, working closely with design, color and materials, vehicle engineering, and supplier partners to deliver premium interior solutions from concept through production.   Key Responsibilities   * Contribute to the development of high-quality soft interior trim components delivering on luxury, tactile feel, craftsmanship, safety, ergonomics, and long-term durability * Lead or support the engineering, packaging, release, and launch of soft trim components including wrapped panels, seat surrounds, soft-touch IP skins, armrests, and textile-based liners * Translate interior design and CMF intent into production-feasible, manufacturable soft trim constructions that maintain design fidelity through tooling and process variation * Define and manage material and construction specifications including substrate, foam, skin, and adhesive systems; oversee layered construction feasibility * Manage component-level DFMEA, DVPR, boundary diagrams, and robustness checklists through design and release milestones * Work cross-functionally with CMF, design, vehicle engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and program teams to maintain craftsmanship intent and timing * Collaborate closely with soft trim suppliers to ensure process capability, grain and texture consistency, cost targets, and on-time delivery * Support durability and environmental testing validation including UV resistance, thermal cycling, abrasion, and seam strength * Perform and support DFM assessments for slush molding, vacuum forming, sewing and bonding operations, and related soft trim processes * Support prototype builds, buck reviews, and resolution of surface, seam, and texture quality findings * Apply and continuously improve engineering tools, methods, and best practices to support accelerated product development   Required Qualifications   * 4+ years' experience in automotive soft interior trim engineering (wrapped panels, soft IP, door armrests, textile liners, etc.) * Strong understanding of soft trim material systems, manufacturing processes (slush molding, vacuum forming, sewing, lamination), and DFM principles * Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools for surface definition and packaging * Experience supporting vehicle or product launches, including supplier readiness and pre-production build support * Familiarity with DFMEA, DVPR, and soft trim quality documentation processes   Nice to Have / Advantageous   * Ownership of at least one full program lifecycle from concept through SOP * Experience in a fast-paced OEM or startup EV environment * Deep knowledge of soft trim construction methods including grain tooling, hide matching, sewing patterns, and foam tuning for tactile performance * Understanding of material aging, light fastness, and chemical resistance requirements per OEM specifications * Experience with CMF alignment process including grain sampling, color approval, and texture sign-off * Knowledge of airbag deployment zones and seamless airbag door integration within soft trim assemblies * Hands-on, practical engineering mindset with strong attention to surface quality and material behavior * Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across design studios, CMF teams, and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers * Passion for craftsmanship and premium interior material execution     Salary Range: $120,000-$140,000/K 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  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.

Alten

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.   The Closures Systems Engineer will be responsible for the design, development, and validation of vehicle closure systems, such as side doors, hood, fender, liftgate, tailgate, etc. This role focuses on the critical intersection of sheet metal structures and mechanical hardware. You will ensure that closure systems are engineered for structural integrity and manufacturing feasibility while seamlessly integrating hardware such as latches, hinges, and seals. You will support the product from early concept through prototype testing and final production launch, meet all functional, safety, and aesthetic requirements.   What you'll do...   * Lead sub-system mechanical development and integration of closure systems, including sheet metal, door latches, hinges, hood/tailgate hardware, struts, and exterior handles. * Design and develop closure inner and outer panels, reinforcements, and architectural interfaces using CAD (3DX/CATIA). * Package and integrate moving mechanical components including hinges, latches, checks, and seals, ensuring proper kinematics and clearance. * Define and execute Design Verification Plans (DVP&R). Coordinate physical testing for durability, strength, and environmental performance, and correlate results with CAE simulations. * Work closely with Studio Design to ensure 'Class A' surface feasibility while maintaining engineering requirements for structural stiffness and water sealing. * Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure sheet metal designs are optimized for stamping, hemming, and assembly (welding/bonding). * Manage supplier technical delivery to ensure hardware components meet functional, weight, and cost targets. * Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during the development, prototype build, and vehicle launch phases. * Own the CAD, BOM, and GD&T documentation for assigned closure sub-systems.   You'll have...   Bachelor's or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.   * 3+ years of experience in production vehicle development and launch. * 3+ years of experience utilizing CAD (3DX or CATIA preferred) for automotive body or closure systems. * Demonstrated experience in the design and release of sheet metal components or mechanical hardware   Even better, you may have... * Closures Expertise: Strong understanding of closure-specific requirements, including hemming, sealing systems, and door-retention kinematics. * Expert Mechanical Fundamentals: Deep understanding of mechanism kinematics, linkages, and electromechanical integration (e.g., e-latches and powered closures). * Materials & Manufacturing: Strong knowledge of sheet metal stamping, casting, and materials science to facilitate seamless integration of hardware into the vehicle body. * CAE Literacy: Ability to leverage CAE tools to drive design decisions regarding mechanism stiffness, timing, and structural integrity. * Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with global safety standards and FMVSS requirements related to door retention and closure systems. * Validation Knowledge: Experience with DVP&R, including cycle testing, slam testing, and environmental soak validation. * Craftsmanship: Strong understanding of GD&T and how mechanism tolerances impact vehicle-level gaps, flushes, and user perceived quality. * Hands-on Approach: Experience in physical prototyping and a 'boots-on-the-ground' mentality during production build events.   Salary Range: $120,000-$140,000/K 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  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.

Alten

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. The Interior Systems Engineer-Instrument Panels will be responsible for concept development and detailed design of the cabin systems through multiple stages of development. You will Conceptualize, Design, Engineer, Develop and support the launch of full vehicle interior components.   Fully ONSITE in Long Beach, CA   What you'll do...   * Create and develop Hard Trim System requirements and specifications while developing geometry and the engineering execution in conjunction with design, supply chain, and other core teams.  * Create vehicle-aligned component and system targets for function, cost, weight and investment.  * Develop 3D geometry and innovative designs concepts that solve challenging crash load cases while balancing construction, material, and manufacturing methods  * Optimize the concepts and designs with analytical and physical assessments, ensuring conformation to federal regulations governing assigned systems.  * Deliver world-class craftsmanship and fit/finish through the proper implementation of GD&T.  * Develop, study, and implement novel construction techniques and materials then drive them to production feasibility  * Enable effective communications with Studio, Packaging, Advanced Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supplier activities to deliver optimal design solutions  * Support presentations of concepts and status to senior management and internally to Company personnel    You'll have...   * B.S. in Mechanical Engineering  or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. * 1-5 years of experience designing, developing, and releasing one or more interior subsystem and adjoining parts including component manufacturing and assembly processes  * Experience using 3D CAD software collaboratively (NX, Catia, 3DX, etc.)  * Team lead experience  * Experience in the production release process  * Experience in a factory setting launching a new product  * System level management experience   Even better, you may have...   * Master's Degree in Engineering  * Excellent understanding of GD&T standards  * High level of expertise and proficiency with Catia, Enovia, or similar tools including drawing and modeling practices and methodologies  * Hands-on experience building and launching automotive products  * Experience with Microsoft Office applications and other information management tools  * Strong written and verbal communication skills  * A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Certificate of Accomplishment from a recognized Design educational institution, or equivalent skills and expertise  * Experience using Confluence, Jira, Asana, or other project management tools  * An eagerness to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment where you are part of a high performing team  * A system approach to design and development with the desire and curiosity to strive for exceptional delivery execution and continuous improvement  Salary Range: $100,000-$125,000/K 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  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.