Design & Release Engineer (DRE) - Interior Cockpit

Alten USA; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Alten USA is seeking an experienced DRE – Interior Cockpit to lead cockpit components development, validation, and integration for client vehicles, ensuring FMVSS compliance and performance targets are met. The role requires depth in cockpit design, material selection, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities include leading safety validation, testing, and PPAP documentation, with a focus on system-level functionality and packaging compatibility across trims, bins, and IP components.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automotive Engineering required.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive cockpit system engineering.
• Experience in at least 3 areas: FMVSS validation, interior trim design, PLM release.
• Ability to lead teams and drive technical tradeoffs with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety validation, development, material selection and launch of cockpit system components (bins, trims, glove box, IP door panels and more).
• Work with internal and external safety departments to ensure component and system level testing meets cockpit targets (DVP, FMVSS).
• Ensure validation of cockpit systems, reviewing test loads, setups, reports, and results for internal and external testing.
• Ensure packaging compatibility, interface alignment, and system level functionality.
• Lead product development, material selection, tooling reviews and launch of new components from concept to launch.
• Conduct supplier and internal technical reviews to address packaging and design issues.
• Coordinate with teams to accommodate plastic trim components by Cockpit system.
• Define and integrate critical characteristics (CC/SC) with adjacent systems.
• Deliver products to meet quality and reliability targets and PPAP documentation.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field

Master's degree preferred

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.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Experienced DRE – Interior Cockpit to join our growing team.

• This role will be responsible for leading the Cockpit components development, validation and integration of cockpit trim components including IP carrier, PAB chutes, bins, glove box, and finish trim for Client vehicles ensuring that cockpit trim target performance and features, as well as FMVSS requirements, are met.

• The individual will be responsible for understanding the vehicle’s technical specifications and performance targets.

• Utilizing the APQP process and supporting documentation, this position will ensure Client quality, performance, and regulatory objectives are achieved and sustained throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Lead safety validation, development, material selection and launch of cockpit system components (bins, trims, glove box, IP door panels and more)

• Work with internal and externa safety departments to ensure component level and system level testing is completed and meeting cockpit targets (DVP, FMVSS, and system level targets)

• Ensure validation of the cockpit systems, reviewing test loads, set ups, reports, and results for both internal and external testing.

• Ensure packaging compatibility, interface alignment, and system level functionality.

• Lead product development, material selection, tooling reviews and launch of new components from concept to launch

• Conduct supplier and internal technical reviews to ensure packaging and design issues are addressed/resolved.

• Work with affected teams to ensure that plastic trim components (like removable trim covers, bin doors, bins more) are properly accommodated by the Cockpit system.

• Ensure compatibility with interfacing systems and components, including attaching hardware and joint design.

• Define and integrate critical characteristics (CC/SC) with adjacent systems.

• Deliver products to meet quality and reliability requirements and arrive on time for program milestones, with all necessary PPAP documentation

• Support prototype builds, DV/PV and launch readiness

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field is required. Master's degree is preferred.

• 5+ years of experience in automotive Cockpit System engineering.

• Applications-specific experience in at least 3 of the following areas / components:

• Cockpit complete FMVSS, IIHS and other 3rd party rating validation.

• Cockpit and trim plastic design.

• Interior trim plastic materials and injection molding

• Experience working within a PLM and releasing components and processing engineering changes.

• Functional experience with all NHTSA / FMVSS, CARB, EPA, FCC, or other regulatory requirements.

• Ability to lead teams and meetings through technical tradeoffs and optimized solutions with attention to detail.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.

• Highly adaptable and proactive, excelling in fast-paced start-up and new model launch environments.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

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.