Design Engineer Body Exterior - Lighting, Tail Lamp

Location:

Long Beach, CA or Fully Remote within USA

ALTEN Technology USA is 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, we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing. When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on challenging engineering problems, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits.

Position: Design Engineer Body Exterior - Lighting, Tail Lamp

Overview

This role is responsible for the end-to-end development of vehicle components and systems, from concept through production release. It requires strong 3D design capability, a deep understanding of engineering requirements, and collaboration across cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, manufacturable, and cost-effective solutions.

• CAD & Technical Design:
  Create and develop components using 3DX CAD with the ability to design parts independently. Apply GD&T principles and perform dimensional variation analysis to ensure robust designs. Conduct system and component-level design aligned with all program requirements.
• Requirements & Validation:
  Design to meet Voice of Customer, regulatory, functional, quality, DFA (Design for Assembly), DFS (Design for Service), packaging, and clearance requirements. Utilize validation methods including CAE, physical testing, and analytical techniques to confirm design integrity.
• Feasibility & Manufacturing:
  Assess tooling, manufacturing, supplier sub-assembly, and vehicle assembly feasibility. Evaluate surface feasibility, fit & finish, and craftsmanship considerations when applicable. Perform interface and assembly feasibility studies, including packaging, static/dynamic clearances, joint analysis, GD&T datum schemes, and dimensional variation analysis.
• Quality & Documentation:
  Maintain comprehensive design documentation and quality history. Support technical reviews using DFMEA, DVPR, SCCAF (SC & CC), PFMEA, Control Plans, Robustness Checklists, Demonstration Matrices, Boundary Diagrams, Interface Matrices, and P‑Diagrams.
• Electrical & Software Integration:
  Develop and manage engineering transmittals, feature definitions, and related documentation for electrical and software interfaces.
• Project Management:
  Utilize PLM systems (including BOM management) to control design data and release processes. Manage engineering timing to support prototype builds, validation phases, and overall program milestones. Prepare RFQ packages and support sourcing activities with purchasing and supplier teams. Evaluate and track landed cost, vendor tooling, ED&T (as applicable), and other financial impacts to the program business case.
• Engineering Budget Management:
  Oversee development expenses including prototype parts, tooling, and other engineering-related costs.

• Experience in end-to-end design of vehicle exterior components, with emphasis on lighting and tail lamps.
• Strong 3D CAD capability (3DX) and knowledge of GD&T, dimensional variation analysis, and design for manufacturability.
• Ability to perform validation activities (CAE, physical testing, analytical methods) and align designs with program requirements.
• Experience with tooling, manufacturing feasibility, packaging, fit & finish, and interface studies.
• Familiarity with design documentation practices and quality tools (DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, etc.).
• Experience with PLM systems, BOM management, and release processes; ability to plan and support prototype builds and validation milestones.
• Strong collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams and suppliers.

ALTEN Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or veteran status.

Compliance notices: ALTEN USA is a federal contractor subject to VE VRAA and EEO requirements. A pre-employment drug screening is required as a condition of hire for federal contractor roles.