Design Release Engineer – Vehicle Access Systems

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 development, validation, and integration of vehicle access systems across current and future programs. You’ll work on mechanical and electronic access components, including latches, locks, PEPS interfaces, key fobs, and wireless security, ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree in engineering and 4–6 years in automotive design, with hands-on experience in vehicle access or body

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automotive Engineering.
• 4–6 years in automotive engineering or vehicle systems.
• Experience with vehicle access parts (doors, locks, latches, actuators, sensors, keyfobs).
• Familiarity with APQP, DV/PV, and gateways.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specs.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and validation of vehicle access systems.
• Define technical requirements and interface specs with internal and suppliers.
• Support DFMEA, PFMEA and design reviews.
• Coordinate vehicle builds and testing at plant during prototype and production.
• Analyze field data and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with global regulatory and OEM standards.

Skills

Automotive engineering

Root cause analysis

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Reading engineering drawings

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Tools

NX CAD

CAN/LIN

Job description

Design Release Engineer – Vehicle Access Systems

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.

Position Summary

• Client is seeking aVehicle Access Engineers to support the development, validation, and integration of vehicle access systems across current and future vehicle programs.
• These roles will focus on mechanical and electronic access components like RFHM, SPAAK, KIN, TPMS, Wireless security, ensuring seamless functionality, quality, and regulatory compliance from concept through production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and validation of vehicle access systems including:
• Latches, locks, and actuation systems
• Passive Entry/Passive Start (PEPS) interfaces
• Key fobs and external access components
• RFHM, SPAAK, KIN, TPMS, Wireless security
• Define technical requirements and interface specifications with internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Support DFMEA, PFMEA, and design reviews to ensure functional safety and robustness
• Coordinate vehicle builds, vehicle and component testing, and issue resolution at the plant during prototype and production phases
• Analyze field, warranty, and test data related to access system performance and implement corrective actions
• Support supplier technical reviews, part verification, and quality audits
• Ensure compliance with global regulatory, safety, and OEM standards

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field
• 4–6 years of experience in automotive engineering or vehicle system development
• Hands‑on experience with vehicle access or body systems (doors, locks, latches, actuators, sensors. keyfobs)
• Working knowledge of automotive product development processes (APQP, DV/PV, gateways)
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications
• Strong problem‑solving and root cause analysis skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with electronic access systems or PEPS
• Knowledge of CAN/LIN communication related to body electronics
• Familiarity with CAD tools (NX Siemens preferred)
• Experience working with Tier 1 suppliers
• Prior experience within a global OEM environment
• Cross‑functional collaboration
• Analytical thinking
• Clear communication with engineering and non‑technical teams
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across vehicle programs

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.