Thermal System Design Engineer

Vehicle-Level Thermal System Design Release Engineer (DRE)

Our client in Novi, MI is looking for a Vehicle-Level Thermal System Design Release Engineer (DRE). This is a Contract position.

Responsible for the overall thermal management of a vehicle, ensuring that all components and systems operate within their specified temperature ranges. This includes the engine, battery, power electronics, and passenger cabin climate control. This role is a combination of technical engineering, project management, and cross‑functional leadership.

• Act as the main technical contact with suppliers. DREs provide direction, oversee the development and validation of components, and ensure that supplier‑side engineering aligns with program milestones.
• Testing and validation:
  Plan, execute, and oversee vehicle‑level thermal validation tests. This includes instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis to verify performance targets.
• Analysis and simulation:
  Use 1D thermal fluid analytical tools and other simulation software to optimize the vehicle's thermal system design for efficiency, cost, and weight. This virtual testing is crucial for predicting and improving performance.
• Troubleshooting and problem resolution:
  Conduct root‑cause analysis for any thermal system issues found during development, testing, or post‑launch warranty analysis.
• Cross‑functional collaboration:
  Work closely with other engineering teams to ensure seamless integration and optimal packaging of all thermal components.

• 5 years of experience Vehicle‑Level Thermal System Engineer for EVs.
• BS in Engineering.

• Envision the Future
• Communicate Honestly and Broadly
• Seek Technology and Business “First”
• Embrace Diversity and Take Risks

• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Discounts
• Free training on all Altair products

Altair is a global technology company providing software and cloud solutions in the area of data analytics, product development, and high‑performance computing (HPC). Altair enables organizations in nearly every industry to compete more effectively in a connected world, while creating a more sustainable future. With more than 3,000 engineers, scientists, and creative thinkers in 25 countries, we help solve our customer’s toughest challenges and deliver unparalleled service, helping the innovators innovate, drive better decisions, and turn today’s problems into tomorrow’s opportunities.

For more than 30 years, we have been helping our customers integrate electronics and controls with mechanical design to expand product value, develop AI, simulation and data‑driven digital twins to drive better decisions, and deliver advanced HPC and cloud solutions to support unlimited idea exploration. To learn more, please visit

Altair is an equal opportunity employer. Our backgrounds are diverse, and every member of our global team is critical to our success. Altair’s history demonstrates a belief that empowering each individual authentic voice reinforces a culture that thrives because of the uniqueness among our team.

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At our core we are explorers; adventures; pioneers. We are the brains behind some of the world’s most revolutionary innovations and are not only comfortable in new and uncharted waters, we dive headfirst. We are the original trailblazers that make the impossible possible, discovering new solutions to our customer’s toughest challenges.