Junior Instrument Panel Design Engineer – Automotive

ALTEN Technology USA•Auburn Hills, MI

22h

About The Position

ALTEN Technology USA is hiring a Junior Instrument Panel Design Engineer to own the design, release, and validation of automotive interior hard-trim components and related systems, including pillars, headliners, instrument panels, and door trim. The role investigates and resolves fit, finish, gap, flush, squeak/rattle, and assembly issues arising during vehicle builds, production, and warranty. It uses dimensional measurements, tolerance stack-up studies, force testing, BOB/WOW studies, and structured problem-solving to determine root causes and drive corrective action. The engineer serves as the engineering owner working with manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and metrology teams. Responsibilities include directing dimensional inspections and variation analysis, designing and releasing trim interfaces and attachment features, creating and releasing 3D models and drawings, and defining and approving checking fixtures and inspection aids. The role participates in vehicle builds and validation events, leads supplier and plant investigations, tracks issues through systems such as Global Issue Management, and analyzes SPC and dimensional data. It also represents hard-trim systems in design reviews and cross-functional meetings and owns engineering changes and corrective actions through validation and sign-off. The position requires the ability to work in a vehicle plant, assembly environment, or test/build facility as needed. ALTEN Technology USA describes a culture focused on mentorship, career growth, and comprehensive benefits. Selected candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
3–5+ years of experience in automotive design release engineering, interior trim, vehicle assembly, manufacturing, or quality (adjusted based on level).
Strong working knowledge of automotive interior hard-trim components and vehicle assembly processes.
Proficiency with CAD tools, preferably Siemens NX, including model/drawing release authority.
Strong understanding of GD&T, dimensional variation, tolerance stack-up, and root cause analysis methodologies.
Ability to interpret and author engineering drawings and technical documentation.
Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and cross-functional communication skills.
Ability to work in a vehicle plant, assembly environment, or test/build facility as required.
Successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.

Nice To Haves

Direct design release experience with A/B/C-pillar trim, headliners, door trim, instrument panels, or other interior hard trim.
Experience with 3D scanning, checking fixtures, SPC, Minitab, 3DCS, or Monte Carlo tolerance analysis.
Automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier experience in a design release capacity.
Proficiency with Teamcenter or other PLM systems, including change/release workflows.
Experience leading vehicle build, launch, quality, or warranty investigations from an engineering ownership perspective.

Responsibilities

Own the design, release, and validation of interior hard-trim components and related trim systems.
Investigate and resolve fit, finish, gap, flush, squeak/rattle, and assembly issues identified during vehicle builds, production, and warranty.
Drive root cause analysis using dimensional measurements, tolerance stack-up studies, force testing, BOB/WOW studies, and structured problem-solving methods.
Serve as the engineering owner interfacing with manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and metrology teams to resolve interior trim concerns and drive design decisions.
Direct dimensional inspection and variation analysis using scanning, checking fixtures, SPC data, and tolerance analysis; approve corrective actions based on findings.
Design and release trim interfaces, clips, snaps, fasteners, and attachment features to optimize fit, assembly, and perceived quality.
Create, own, and release 3D models, drawings, and engineering changes using Siemens NX or similar CAD tools.
Define requirements for and approve checking fixtures and inspection aids for interior trim components; support their deployment during production containment.
Participate in vehicle builds and validation events to evaluate interior trim fitment, appearance, assembly, and functionality, and direct design updates.
Own supplier and plant investigations, including containment activities, quality alerts, work instructions, and corrective action plans.
Manage engineering and quality issue tracking through systems such as Global Issue Management (GIM), ensuring timely resolution and closure.
Analyze SPC and dimensional data using tools such as Minitab; lead tolerance and variation studies and drive design responses.
Represent hard-trim interior systems in design reviews, build events, and cross-functional meetings; present findings and drive issues to closure.
Author and release engineering changes, drawing updates, and corrective actions from initial investigation through final validation and sign-off.