Interior Systems Engineer, Instrument Panels

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. Role Overview You will be a key contributor within a world-class automotive interior trim engineering team, responsible for the development and delivery of hard interior trim components. This role focuses on mechanical engineering, detail design, packaging, and launch execution, working closely with design, vehicle engineering, and supplier partners to deliver premium interior solutions from concept through production.   Key Responsibilities   * Contribute to the development of high-quality hard interior trim components delivering on luxury, craftsmanship, performance, safety, ergonomics, and functionality * Lead or support the engineering, packaging, release, and launch of hard trim components including instrument panels, door trims, consoles, pillars, headliners, and load floors across the vehicle portfolio * Translate interior design intent into production-feasible, manufacturable hard trim solutions with attention to surface quality, class A feasibility, and fit and finish * Manage component-level DFMEA, DVPR, boundary diagrams, and robustness checklists through design and release milestones * Work cross-functionally with design, vehicle engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and program teams, prioritizing overall vehicle performance and timing * Collaborate closely with interior trim suppliers to ensure technical excellence, tooling readiness, cost targets, and on-time program delivery * Define and own GD&T datum and locating strategy for hard trim assemblies; perform tolerance stack-up analysis to ensure dimensional compliance * Perform and support DFM assessments, tool feasibility reviews, and first article inspection (FAI) evaluation * Support prototype builds, buck reviews, and closed-loop resolution of dimensional and quality findings * Apply and continuously improve engineering tools, methods, and best practices to support accelerated product development   Required Qualifications   * 4+ years' experience in automotive hard interior trim engineering (IP, door trims, consoles, pillars, headliners, load floors, etc.) * Strong understanding of plastic part design, injection molding processes, and DFM principles * Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools; working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance analysis methods * Experience supporting vehicle or product launches, including supplier tooling sign-off and manufacturing readiness * Familiarity with DFMEA, DVPR, and 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 injection molded plastic structures, including two-shot molding, foaming processes, and Class A surface development * Understanding of craftsmanship standards, fit and finish targets, and homologation/safety requirements for hard trim assemblies * Competency in materials selection for structural and aesthetic hard trim substrates * Experience with supplier tooling reviews, including steel safe conditions, draft analysis, and mold flow interpretation * Hands-on, practical engineering mindset with strong problem-solving skills * Excellent communication skills with the ability to align across design, manufacturing, and supply chain stakeholders * Passion for developing exceptional automotive interiors   Salary: * $120,00-$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.

Avatr Technology

The Exterior Studio Engineer bridges the gap between Automotive Design and Engineering, ensuring that exterior design concepts are transformed into technically feasible, manufacturable, and production-ready solutions while preserving design intent. This role works closely with Exterior Design, Interior Design, Engineering, Packaging, Safety, Aerodynamics, Manufacturing, and Suppliers to support the development of premium vehicle programs from early concept through production. In addition to exterior development, the successful candidate should be capable of supporting Interior Studio Engineering activities when required, contributing to a flexible and collaborative studio engineering organization.   What you will do: 1. Exterior Design Development & Feasibility * Work closely with Exterior Design teams to translate sketches, digital models, and design proposals into feasible engineering solutions. * Provide early engineering input for: * Bumpers * Grilles * Exterior trims and moldings * Closures and appliqués * Exterior decorative components * Lighting integration areas * Conduct feasibility studies considering: * Vehicle package constraints * Manufacturing requirements * Assembly concepts * Cost targets * Regulatory requirements * Serviceability requirements * Propose alternative technical solutions to protect and maintain design intent. 2. Exterior Surface & Integration Development * Support development and integration of exterior surfaces and components. * Evaluate: * Surface feasibility * Part split strategies * Gap & flush targets * Interface conditions * Assembly clearances * Ensure robust integration between styling surfaces and engineering systems. * Support clay model reviews, digital model evaluations, and prototype development activities. 3. Technical Collaboration * Act as the interface between Design Studio and Engineering teams. * Collaborate closely with: Body Exterior Engineering, Lighting Engineering, Safety & Regulations, Aerodynamics, Manufacturing & Tooling, Suppliers. * Support design reviews with structured technical assessments and risk evaluations. * Facilitate problem-solving workshops to resolve conflicts between styling intent and engineering constraints. 4. CAD & Surface Development * Work extensively with CATIA to: Analyze design feasibility, Verify package and clearance conditions, Validate interfaces and assembly concepts, Support design freeze activities. * Perform surface quality evaluations including: G0 continuity, G1 continuity, G2 continuity * Ensure digital data quality for downstream engineering and supplier activities. 5. Interior Packaging & Ergonomics * Support Interior Studio Engineering activities when required. * Contribute to feasibility reviews for: Instrument panels, Center consoles, Door trims, Decorative components, Interior lighting concepts. * Participate in cross-functional studio projects requiring both exterior and interior integration expertise. * Help maintain consistency between vehicle exterior and interior design execution. 6. Innovation & Compliance * Monitor industry trends and competitor vehicles related to: Exterior design execution, Surface development, Materials and finishes, Manufacturing technologies, Lighting integration. * Conduct benchmarking studies and provide recommendations for future vehicle programs. * Identify opportunities to improve studio engineering.   What you will bring: 1. Education & Experience * Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. * Minimum 5+ years of experience in Automotive Studio Engineering. * Proven experience in exterior and also interior feasibility development. 2. Technical Skills * Strong proficiency in CATIA. * Good understanding of: Automotive exterior systems, Vehicle packaging, Surface development, Manufacturing processes, Assembly concepts. * Knowledge of: Injection molding, Coating and painting processes, Decorative trim technologies. * Familiarity with Alias and/or ICEM Surf is a strong plus. * Understanding of automotive safety and regulatory requirements. * Ability to support both exterior and interior feasibility activities. 3. Soft Skills * Excellent communication skills with the ability to bridge creative design and technical engineering disciplines. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. * Ability to manage multiple programs in a fast-paced studio environment. * High attention to detail and passion for premium interior design execution. * Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required (Chinese is a plus). * Willingness to travel (especially to China) and accommodate overtime when required.   What we offer: * Competitive Salary: Reflecting your skills and experience. * Hybrid Working: Flexibility to work both remotely and in the office. * Annual Leave: 30 days of paid annual leave. * Health & Wellness: Access to the Wellhub Pass for your well-being.  * Employee Development: Learning opportunities and training programs to support your career growth.  * Transport Support: Deutschland ticket or fuel card.  * Meal Allowance: For lunch at the canteen.  * Gifts: Celebratory gifts for work anniversaries and Chinese New Year.  * Company Events: Regular team-building and social activities. * Inclusive Culture: A diverse, supportive environment where every voice is valued.    Thank you for considering joining our team! We look forward to hearing from you and hope you become a part of our company. If you are interested in the position, please apply now. We are excited about the possibility of working together to create a bright future!