Design Engineer Body Exterior - Lighting, Tail Lamp

Alten USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Alten USA in Long Beach is seeking a Design Engineer Body Exterior - Lighting, Tail Lamp. You will lead end‑to‑end development of vehicle components, from concept through production release, collaborating with cross‑functional teams to deliver manufacturable and cost‑effective solutions.

The role requires strong 3D design capability, deep understanding of engineering requirements, and experience with DFA/DFS, GD&T, and validation methods such as CAE and physical testing.

Qualifications

• Proficient in 3D design using 3DX CAD and associated tolerancing methods.
• Apply GD&T and dimensional variation analysis to ensure robust designs.
• Use CAE, physical testing, and analytical methods to validate designs.

Responsibilities

• Create and develop vehicle components using 3DX CAD with independent design capability.
• Apply design for assembly (DFA) and design for service (DFS) principles across programs.
• Assess tooling, manufacturing feasibility, and supplier sub‑assembly considerations.
• Maintain design documentation and participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, and Control Plans.
• Develop electrical and software interface documentation and transmittals.
• Support program milestones, BOM control, and PLM release processes.
• Track landed cost and tooling impacts within the program business case.
• Oversee engineering budget and prototype part costs.

Skills

3DX CAD

GD&T

CAE

DFMEA

BOM management

PLM

Design reviews

Electrical interfaces

Tools

PLM

Job description

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.

Location: Long Beach, CA

As our Design Engineer Body Exterior - Lighting, Tail Lamp will be responsible for the end‑to‑end development of vehicle components and systems, from concept through production release. This role requires strong 3D design capability, deep understanding of engineering requirements, and the ability to collaborate across cross‑functional teams to deliver high‑quality, manufacturable, and cost‑effective solutions.

Key Responsibilities

CAD & Technical Design

• Create and develop components using 3DX CAD with the ability to design parts independently.
• Apply GD&T principles and perform dimensional variation analysis to ensure robust designs.
• Conduct system and component‑level design aligned with all program requirements.

Requirements & Validation

• Design to meet Voice of Customer, regulatory, functional, quality, DFA (Design for Assembly), DFS (Design for Service), packaging, and clearance requirements.
• Utilize validation methods including CAE, physical testing, and analytical techniques to confirm design integrity.

Feasibility & Manufacturing

• Assess tooling, manufacturing, supplier sub‑assembly, and vehicle assembly feasibility.
• Evaluate surface feasibility, fit & finish, and craftsmanship considerations when applicable.
• Perform interface and assembly feasibility studies, including packaging, static/dynamic clearances, joint analysis, GD&T datum schemes, and dimensional variation analysis.

Quality & Documentation

• Maintain comprehensive design documentation and quality history.
• Support technical reviews using DFMEA, DVPR, SCCAF (SC & CC), PFMEA, Control Plans, Robustness Checklists, Demonstration Matrices, Boundary Diagrams, Interface Matrices, and P‑Diagrams.

Electrical & Software Integration

• Develop and manage engineering transmittals, feature definitions, and related documentation for electrical and software interfaces.

Project Management

• Utilize PLM systems (including BOM management) to control design data and release processes.
• Manage engineering timing to support prototype builds, validation phases, and overall program milestones.
• Prepare RFQ packages and support sourcing activities with purchasing and supplier teams.

Program Financials

• Evaluate and track landed cost, vendor tooling (F&T), ED&T (as applicable), and other financial impacts to the program business case.

Engineering Budget Management

• Oversee development expenses including prototype parts, tooling, and other engineering‑related costs.

Salary:

• $115,000-135,000
• 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.

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.