Automotive Junior Instrument Panel Design Engineer

ALTEN Technology USA; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA is seeking an automotive interior design engineer to support IP components from concept to production, creating 3D CAD models in Siemens NX and coordinating with cross-functional teams.

You will work with senior engineers to resolve fit, finish, and assembly issues, perform GD&T and tolerance analyses, and assist with drawings, releases, and PLM systems. Bachelor's in mechanical/automotive engineering and 1–3 years' experience required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• 1-3 years of automotive engineering or product design experience, preferably involving interior components or instrument panels.
• Basic understanding of automotive interior systems, instrument panel components, and vehicle assembly processes.
• Working knowledge of Siemens NX or a similar CAD software for 3D modeling and engineering drawings.
• Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up, dimensional variation, and engineering drawings.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Basic understanding of root cause analysis and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including design, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and vehicle assembly teams.
• Willingness to support vehicle builds, prototype evaluations, and plant activities as required.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of instrument panel (IP) components and related interior trim systems from concept through production.
• Assist with the design and release of IP components, brackets, bezels, ducts, clips, fasteners, and other attachment features.
• Create and update 3D CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings using Siemens NX or similar CAD tools.
• Support engineering change requests, drawing updates, design revisions, and release activities through the appropriate PLM systems.
• Work with senior engineers to investigate and resolve fit, finish, gap, flush, assembly, and functional issues identified during vehicle builds and validation.
• Support root cause investigations using dimensional measurements, tolerance stack-up analysis, inspection data, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Assist with GD&T, tolerance analysis, dimensional variation, and design-for-assembly activities.
• Support vehicle build events and prototype evaluations to assess IP fitment, appearance, assembly, and functionality.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and other engineering teams to address design and assembly concerns.
• Support dimensional inspection and variation analysis using scanning equipment, checking fixtures, SPC data, and other measurement tools.
• Assist with the development and validation of checking fixtures, inspection aids, and other tools used to evaluate IP components.
• Support supplier and plant investigations, including containment activities, corrective actions, and issue resolution.
• Maintain engineering issue tracking and ensure assigned issues are documented, followed up, and closed in a timely manner.
• Participate in design reviews, build meetings, and cross-functional technical discussions, providing engineering data and recommendations.
• Support senior engineers with the preparation of technical reports, engineering documentation, and presentations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Teamwork skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Automotive/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Job description

We're ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company that provides solutions for engineering, technology, and product development projects. For decades, we've been helping our clients develop products that are changing the world, whether that's by shaping the future of space exploration, saving lives with medical devices that set a new standard of care, or creating the fully autonomous electric taxi of tomorrow. Our team of more than 600 people works across industries including aerospace, medical devices and life sciences, unmanned systems and robotics, automotive OEM and tier 1 suppliers, commercial vehicle, electric vehicles, rail, and more. Our offices across the US have different industry focuses and engage with our clients in different ways, ranging from working on-site at client facilities to performing product development at our delivery centers.

ALTEN Group, our parent company, has been a leader in engineering and information technology for more than 30 years. ALTEN Group operates in 30 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East and employs more than 36,000 people, 88% of whom are engineers. The company covers the whole development cycle and offers a choice of service levels, from technology consulting to complete project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you join a group of people passionate about collaborating to solve some of the world’s most technical engineering challenges. Our success is tied to taking care of our employees by building relationships and providing opportunities for mentorship and career growth. We offer comprehensive benefits for all full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan with employer matching; paid time off (PTO); paid parental leave; and mentorship to help you take your career to the next level. You don't have to take our word for it that we are a great place to work—we were named on the 2023 Top Workplaces list thanks to feedback from our proud employees.

Job Description

• Support the design and development of instrument panel (IP) components and related interior trim systems from concept through production.
• Assist with the design and release of IP components, brackets, bezels, ducts, clips, fasteners, and other attachment features.
• Create and update 3D CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings using Siemens NX or similar CAD tools.
• Support engineering change requests, drawing updates, design revisions, and release activities through the appropriate PLM systems.
• Work with senior engineers to investigate and resolve fit, finish, gap, flush, assembly, and functional issues identified during vehicle builds and validation.
• Support root cause investigations using dimensional measurements, tolerance stack-up analysis, inspection data, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Assist with GD&T, tolerance analysis, dimensional variation, and design-for-assembly activities.
• Support vehicle build events and prototype evaluations to assess IP fitment, appearance, assembly, and functionality.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and other engineering teams to address design and assembly concerns.
• Support dimensional inspection and variation analysis using scanning equipment, checking fixtures, SPC data, and other measurement tools.
• Assist with the development and validation of checking fixtures, inspection aids, and other tools used to evaluate IP components.
• Support supplier and plant investigations, including containment activities, corrective actions, and issue resolution.
• Maintain engineering issue tracking and ensure assigned issues are documented, followed up, and closed in a timely manner.
• Participate in design reviews, build meetings, and cross-functional technical discussions, providing engineering data and recommendations.
• Support senior engineers with the preparation of technical reports, engineering documentation, and presentations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• 1-3 years of automotive engineering or product design experience, preferably involving interior components or instrument panels.
• Basic understanding of automotive interior systems, instrument panel components, and vehicle assembly processes.
• Working knowledge of Siemens NX or a similar CAD software for 3D modeling and engineering drawings.
• Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up, dimensional variation, and engineering drawings.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Basic understanding of root cause analysis and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including design, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and vehicle assembly teams.
• Willingness to support vehicle builds, prototype evaluations, and plant activities as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with instrument panels, interior trim, or other automotive interior components.
• Experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter or similar CAD/PLM systems.
• Familiarity with 3D scanning, checking fixtures, SPC, Minitab, 3DCS, or tolerance analysis tools.
• Understanding of automotive fit and finish, gap and flush, squeak and rattle, and assembly requirements.
• Experience working with an automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier.
• Exposure to vehicle build, validation, launch, manufacturing, or quality activities.
• Knowledge of automotive plastics, injection molding, fasteners, clips, and interior component attachment methods.

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.