Driveline Design Engineer

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

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA is seeking an experienced Automotive Design Engineer to support the development and integration of vehicle driveline and chassis systems. You will apply hands-on mechanical design expertise across FWD/RWD architectures, from concept through validation and production launch.

The role emphasizes CATIA-based modeling, 3D CAD, and collaboration with CAE, manufacturing, and suppliers to deliver robust designs and on-time product introductions in a dynamic automotive environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in automotive or commercial vehicle product design and development.
• Experience with RWD and/or FWD vehicle architectures and exposure to driveline, axle, chassis, or suspension systems.
• Working knowledge of axle assemblies, half shafts, drive shafts, joints, and driveline integration.
• Experience in CATIA V5, CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE, or equivalent 3D CAD platforms.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA), packaging, and serviceability principles.
• Experience with concept development, component design, product validation, and production launch support.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of engineering design and development activities for automotive driveline, axle, and related chassis components and systems.
• Develop engineering concepts, define system requirements, and translate vehicle-level requirements into component and system-level design solutions.
• Lead and support vehicle packaging, layout development, tolerance analysis, and design feasibility assessments.
• Develop and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and product design releases using CATIA.
• Evaluate the integration of axle assemblies, half shafts, drive shafts, suspension components, mounting systems, and surrounding vehicle structures.
• Coordinate with CAE, manufacturing, quality, sourcing, and validation teams to ensure design feasibility and product performance.
• Support prototype development, engineering builds, testing, and product validation activities.
• Identify and resolve design, manufacturing, quality, and production launch issues through structured problem‑solving and root cause analysis.
• Drive engineering changes, design improvements, and technical documentation throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Work closely with internal engineering teams, suppliers, and customers to ensure successful execution of engineering deliverables.

Skills

Automotive design

CATIA

GD&T

DFMA

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

CATIA V5

CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE

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.

Experience: 5+ Years

Domain: Automotive / Commercial Vehicle Engineering

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced Automotive Design Engineer to support the development and integration of vehicle driveline and chassis systems. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience in mechanical design, component development, vehicle packaging, and system integration across front‑wheel‑drive (FWD) and/or rear‑wheel‑drive (RWD) vehicle architectures.

This role offers the opportunity to work on end‑to‑end product development activities, from initial concept development and engineering design through validation, production launch, and continuous product improvement.

Candidates with experience in driveline systems, axle assemblies, half shafts, suspension systems, or related automotive mechanical components are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of engineering design and development activities for automotive driveline, axle, and related chassis components and systems.
• Develop engineering concepts, define system requirements, and translate vehicle-level requirements into component and system-level design solutions.
• Lead and support vehicle packaging, layout development, tolerance analysis, and design feasibility assessments.
• Develop and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and product design releases using CATIA.
• Evaluate the integration of axle assemblies, half shafts, drive shafts, suspension components, mounting systems, and surrounding vehicle structures.
• Coordinate with CAE, manufacturing, quality, sourcing, and validation teams to ensure design feasibility and product performance.
• Support prototype development, engineering builds, testing, and product validation activities.
• Identify and resolve design, manufacturing, quality, and production launch issues through structured problem‑solving and root cause analysis.
• Drive engineering changes, design improvements, and technical documentation throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Work closely with internal engineering teams, suppliers, and customers to ensure successful execution of engineering deliverables.

Required Technical Skills

• 5+ years of experience in automotive or commercial vehicle product design and development.
• Experience with RWD and/or FWD vehicle architectures and exposure to driveline, axle, chassis, or suspension systems.
• Working knowledge of axle assemblies, half shafts, drive shafts, joints, and driveline integration.
• Experience in CATIA V5, CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE, or equivalent 3D CAD platforms.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA), packaging, and serviceability principles.
• Experience with concept development, component design, product validation, and production launch support.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with front or rear axle systems and driveline component development.
• Knowledge of axle durability, half‑shaft performance, and joint design.
• Experience working with automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers.
• Exposure to complete vehicle integration and production engineering processes.

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.