Autonomous Vehicle Trim Validation Engineer

Alten USA; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Alten USA in Foster City, CA is seeking a mechanical engineer to own validation of trim and closures for an autonomous vehicle program. You will design and execute validation plans, run durability and environmental tests, and ensure compliance with FMVSS before production.

You will collaborate with design, manufacturing, suppliers, and quality teams, applying CATIA skills and hands-on testing to deliver components ready for production, while maintaining strict regulatory and quality standards.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (or comparable).
• 3–8 years of experience in automotive trim, closures, or body validation.
• Hands-on validation experience — test planning, execution, and data‑driven failure analysis.
• Working knowledge of plastic injection molding and automotive painting and coating.
• Familiarity with windshields and glazing.
• Understanding of relevant FMVSS requirements.
• Strong grounding in manufacturing processes, materials, and environmental failure modes.
• Proficiency in CATIA.

Responsibilities

• Own the validation of trim and closures systems — plastic trim and injection‑molded components, painted and coated surfaces, and windshield and glazing assemblies.
• Develop and execute validation plans, defining test methods and acceptance criteria tied to program and regulatory requirements.
• Plan and run durability, environmental, and performance testing, and interpret the results.
• Lead root‑cause and failure analysis, and drive corrective actions through to resolution.
• Assess manufacturing processes, materials, and environmental failure modes to catch issues early.
• Partner with design, manufacturing, suppliers, and quality to bring components to production readiness.

Skills

Hands-on validation

Test planning

Data‑driven failure analysis

Injection molding knowledge

Automotive painting & coating

FMVSS familiarity

Windshields & glazing

Manufacturing processes knowledge

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

Job description

Alten USA in Foster City, CA is seeking a mechanical engineer to own validation of trim and closures for an autonomous vehicle program. You will design and execute validation plans, run durability and environmental tests, and ensure compliance with FMVSS before production.

You will collaborate with design, manufacturing, suppliers, and quality teams, applying CATIA skills and hands-on testing to deliver components ready for production, while maintaining strict regulatory and quality standards.