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Design Release Engineer - Roof Systems

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States

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.

As a Design Release Engineer for the Roof System, you will lead the design, development, and release of vehicle roof assemblies and related mechanisms (manual and powered roof systems, panoramic glass roofs, sunroofs, roof rails) across vehicle programs. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams (design, CAE/FEA, manufacturing, suppliers, quality) to ensure roof system performance that meets vehicle requirements for function, safety, NVH, durability, manufacturability, cost, and timing.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the roof system design release process from concept through volume production launch.
  • Develop roof component and subsystem specifications derived from vehicle-level requirements (strength, stiffness, leak-proofing, NVH, weight, cost).
  • Create and maintain DVP&R (Design Verification Plan & Report), DFMEA, ECO/ECR documentation, BOM/EBOM, release data and change control tracking.
  • Conduct design reviews (mechanical, structural, sealing, durability, fatigue) in coordination with CAE/FEA teams to validate roof system integrity.
  • Interface with Tier 1 suppliers and internal manufacturing to ensure designs are robust, cost effective, manufacturable, and meet launch timelines.
  • Manage engineering change requests, ensure traceability of changes through PLM/release tools, update drawings and part data accordingly.
  • Support prototype builds, pilot launches, and production launches of roof systems; resolve launch issues in collaboration with validation, manufacturing, and quality teams.
  • Lead root-cause analyses on field issues (leaks, noise, fatigue failures, fit & finish) and implement corrective/preventive actions.
  • Monitor project schedules, budget, cost, and risk for roof system development and release, and report status to program leadership.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering (or related discipline).
  • Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in automotive body systems (especially roof, door, closures, stamping, metal fabrication) or similar product development.
  • Strong understanding of mechanical CAD (e.g., NX, CATIA), CAD drawings, GD&T, sheet-metal processes (stamping, welding, hydroforming), assemblies, sealing systems.
  • Experience with DFMEA, DVP&R, change management (ECR/ECO), BOM/EBOM, PLM/release systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with design, CAE, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers.
  • Effective problem solving, technical communication, and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in Engineering or related field.
  • Experience specifically with roof systems (sunroof, panoramic roof, integral roof systems, roof rails).
  • Familiarity with NVH, leak & durability testing, roof sealing systems, and manufacturing launch processes.
  • Experience with automotive program launch deliverables and supplier management.

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.

Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process.

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.

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