Durability Test Engineer

ALTEN Technology USA; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA is seeking a Body Hardware Test Engineer in Auburn Hills, MI. You will lead and support component- and system-level testing for release and validation groups, collaborating with CAE and Test Engineering to ensure timely completion.

The role also involves test planning, fixture design support, and executing tests for body hardware concepts such as Frunk and Pocket Doors, plus metrology and HIL testing for steering, suspension, brakes, and EPS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• 1–3 years of automotive testing/engineering experience.
• Strong knowledge of vehicle and body systems.
• Proficiency in CAD software (NX, TeamCenter).
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead component and vehicle system-level test setups to meet DVPR requirements.
• Support fixture design and fabrication for body testing.
• Collaborate with CAE, Release Groups, and Test Engineering to meet timelines.
• Plan tests, manage lab projects, coordinate with SBU personnel.
• Execute body hardware tests for systems like Frunk, eLatch, Pocket Doors, and PFTG with CAE correlation.
• Perform life testing and durability evaluations across multiple vehicle programs.
• Lead chassis and brake testing, data retention and instrumentation support.
• Support weight teams and part measurements at manufacturing plants.
• Conduct metrology and CMM dimensional analysis.
• Develop Hardware-in-the-Loop testing for steering, suspension, brakes, ESC, ABS, and EPS.

Skills

Mechanical engineering knowledge

CAD NX

TeamCenter

Communication skills

Automotive testing

Team player

Education

ABET-accredited engineering program

Tools

NX

TeamCenter

HBM CATMAN

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.

Job Description:

• The Body Hardware Test Engineer will lead and support the development and execution of component- and system-level as well as body/structural testing for the release and validation groups.

Main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leading component and vehicle system-level test setups to meet development and DVP&R requirements.
• The Body Hardware candidate will also support fixture design and fabrication for all component and vehicle-level testing, which may include body component development.
• The Test Engineer will work closely with CAE, Release Groups, and Test Engineering teams to ensure timely completion of current and future testing.
• The role also includes test planning, managing current lab projects, and coordinating with SBU personnel to meet program timelines.
• Execute body hardware tests and investigations, supporting new systems such as Frunk, eLatch, Pocket Doors, and PFTG, including CAE correlation.
• Perform mechanical life testing and durability evaluations across multiple vehicle programs (KM, EJ, LB, DT MCA, JL MCA, WL Axle), providing issue resolution and CAE support.
• Lead chassis and brake testing, including LSU, tire SLR, brake dyno scripting, data retention and analysis, and instrumentation support.
• Support Weights & AMG teams, including LRP support, weight correlation improvement, and part measurements at manufacturing plants.
• Conduct metrology and CMM-based dimensional analysis at both part and system levels.
• Develop and support Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing for Steering, Suspension, Brakes, ESC, ABS, and EPS systems, primarily in lab environments.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent from an ABET-accredited (or equivalent) program
• 1–3 years of experience in an automotive testing or engineering environment
• Strong working knowledge of vehicle systems and components
• Working knowledge of vehicle body systems
• Proficiency in CAD software (NX, TeamCenter)
• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal, and non-verbal
• Strong team spirit and willingness to learn

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with UAW-SBU employees
• Familiarity with HBM CATMAN data acquisition hardware and software
• Strong project and time management skills
• Experience designing fixtures for body structure testing (system and component level)
• Strong knowledge of pneumatics and their application in test setups

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.