Design Release Engineer – Vehicle Access

ALTEN Technology USA; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA is seeking a Design Release Engineer to support the design, development, validation, and integration of vehicle access systems across current and future programs. You will focus on mechanical and electronic access components, including doors, handles, latches, locks, RFHM, SPAAK, KIN, TPMS, and wireless security systems.

The engineer will ensure successful component design, release, validation, quality, and regulatory compliance from concept through production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• 4-6 years of experience in automotive engineering, product development, or vehicle systems engineering.
• Hands-on experience with vehicle access or body systems, such as doors, handles, locks, latches, actuators, sensors, or key fobs.
• Experience managing component design, release, validation, and engineering changes.
• Working knowledge of APQP, DV/PV, gateways, DFMEA, PFMEA.
• ,
• ],
• job_responsibilities_description_submission
• CoT_job_summary_short
• COMPANY NAME: ALTEN Technology USAKEY POINTS: Design Release Engineer, vehicle access systems, cross-functional collaboration
• job_summary_short
• <p>ALTEN Technology USA is seeking a Design Release Engineer to support the design, development, validation, and integration of vehicle access systems across current and future programs. You will focus on mechanical and electronic access components, including doors, handles, latches, locks, RFHM, SPAAK, KIN, TPMS, and wireless security systems. The engineer will ensure successful component design, release, validation, quality, and regulatory compliance from concept through production.</p><p>The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automotive Engineering and 4–6 years of automotive experience, with hands-on experience in vehicle access systems. You will manage design releases, DFMEA/PFMEA, supplier interactions, and regulatory compliance while coordinating prototype builds and resolving field issues.</p>
• contract_type
• fulltime
• location_type
• on site
• remote_scope
• null
• perks
• []
• stated_min
• null
• stated_max
• null
• stated_absolute
• null
• salary_estimation_cot
• Design Release Engineer in Auburn Hills, MI with 4–6 years: market rate around $90k–$120k per year.
• estimated_low
• 90000
• estimated_medium
• 105000
• estimated_high
• 120000
• currency
• USD
• frequency
• yearly
• bonus
• null
• tax
• gross
• application_email
• null
• job_end_date
• null
• contact_person
• null
• hiring_department_name
• null

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, release, and validation of vehicle access system components.
• Manual and electronic door handles; latches, locks, and actuation systems.
• Passive Entry/Passive Start (PEPS) systems.
• Key fobs and external access components.
• RFHM, SPAAK, KIN, TPMS, and wireless security systems.
• Own component requirements, engineering specifications, and interface definitions with internal teams and suppliers.
• Manage the design release process, including engineering changes, drawings, specifications, and BOM updates.
• Support and participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, design reviews, and technical reviews to ensure product robustness and functional safety.
• Coordinate prototype and production vehicle builds, component testing, validation activities, and issue resolution.
• Work closely with manufacturing plants, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams to resolve design and quality issues.
• Analyze test results, warranty data, and field issues and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Support supplier technical reviews, part verification, validation activities, and quality assessments.
• Ensure components meet applicable regulatory, safety, quality, and OEM requirements.
• Manage multiple components and engineering activities across different vehicle programs while meeting program timing and deliverables.

Skills

Design Release

Vehicle access systems

APQP/DFMEA/PFMEA

GD&T readings

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Automotive Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

CAD

CAN/LIN

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.

Position Summary

The client is seeking a Design Release Engineer (DRE) to support the design, development, validation, and integration of vehicle access systems across current and future vehicle programs.

The role will focus on mechanical and electronic vehicle access components, including door handles, latches, locks, RFHM, SPAAK, KIN, TPMS, and wireless security systems. The engineer will be responsible for ensuring successful component design, release, validation, quality, and regulatory compliance from concept through production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, release, and validation of vehicle access system components, including:
• Manual and electronic door handles
• Latches, locks, and actuation systems
• Passive Entry/Passive Start (PEPS) systems
• Key fobs and external access components
• RFHM, SPAAK, KIN, TPMS, and wireless security systems
• Own component requirements, engineering specifications, and interface definitions with internal teams and suppliers.
• Manage the design release process, including engineering changes, drawings, specifications, and BOM updates.
• Support and participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, design reviews, and technical reviews to ensure product robustness and functional safety.
• Coordinate prototype and production vehicle builds, component testing, validation activities, and issue resolution.
• Work closely with manufacturing plants, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams to resolve design and quality issues.
• Analyze test results, warranty data, and field issues and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Support supplier technical reviews, part verification, validation activities, and quality assessments.
• Ensure components meet applicable regulatory, safety, quality, and OEM requirements.
• Manage multiple components and engineering activities across different vehicle programs while meeting program timing and deliverables.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• 4-6 years of experience in automotive engineering, product development, or vehicle systems engineering.
• Experience as a Design Release Engineer (DRE) or in a similar component ownership role.
• Hands-on experience with vehicle access or body systems, such as doors, handles, locks, latches, actuators, sensors, or key fobs.
• Experience managing component design, release, validation, and engineering changes.
• Working knowledge of automotive product development processes, including APQP, DV/PV, gateways, DFMEA, and PFMEA.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and technical requirements.
• Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and issue resolution skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with electronic vehicle access systems or Passive Entry/Passive Start (PEPS) systems.
• Knowledge of CAN/LIN communication and automotive body electronics.
• Experience with RFHM, SPAAK, KIN, TPMS, or wireless security systems.
• Familiarity with CAD and engineering tools, preferably Siemens NX.
• Experience working directly with Tier 1 suppliers.
• Previous experience within a global automotive OEM environment.
• Component ownership and design release management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Root cause analysis and issue resolution
• Clear communication with technical and non-technical teams
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and vehicle program timelines

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.