Senior Vehicle Exterior Systems Engineer – Launch & Production

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company that provides solutions for engineering, technology, and product development projects. For decades, we’ve been helping our clients develop products that are changing the world, whether that’s by shaping the future of space exploration, saving lives with medical devices that set a new standard of care, or creating the fully autonomous electric taxi of tomorrow. Our team of more than 600 people works across industries including aerospace, medical devices and life sciences, unmanned systems and robotics, automotive OEM and tier 1 suppliers, commercial vehicle, electric vehicles, rail, and more. Our offices across the US have different industry focuses and engage with our clients in different ways, ranging from working on-site at client facilities to performing product development at our delivery centers.

ALTEN Group, our parent company, has been a leader in engineering and information technology for more than 30 years. ALTEN Group operates in 30 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East and employs more than 36,000 people, 88% of whom are engineers. The company covers the whole development cycle and offers a choice of service levels, from technology consulting to complete project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you join a group of people passionate about collaborating to solve some of the world’s most technical engineering challenges. Our success is tied to taking care of our employees by building relationships and providing opportunities for mentorship and career growth. We offer comprehensive benefits for all full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan with employer matching; paid time off (PTO); paid parental leave; and mentorship to help you take your career to the next level. You don’t have to take our word for it that we are a great place to work—we were named on the 2023 Top Workplaces list thanks to feedback from our proud employees.

Job Description:

We are seeking a Vehicle Exterior Systems Engineer to support a high-impact program focused on the development, validation, and production readiness of vehicle exterior systems. This role requires strong system-level ownership, hands-on involvement in prototype validation, and deep expertise in root cause analysis (RCA) to resolve launch-related issues. The ideal candidate will lead exterior system components from early prototype stages (off-tool builds) through full production release, ensuring alignment with performance, quality, cost, and timing objectives.

Key Focus Areas

High Priority:

Launch Issue Resolution & RCA

• Develop comprehensive root cause analysis (RCA) reports for open launch issues
• Perform data-driven engineering analysis and validation
• Define interim containment and permanent corrective actions
• Maintain accurate updates within issue tracking systems

Production Maturation & Final Release

• Generate performance reports for prototype and off-tool components
• Support manufacturing trials and incorporate plant feedback
• Validate functionality of exterior systems
• Ensure feasibility and robustness of engineering solutions

Medium Priority:

Prototype & Validation Activities

• Drive cross-functional alignment for validation activities
• Ensure prototypes meet production quality and cost targets

Supplier & Manufacturing Readiness

• Finalize engineering release documentation
• Incorporate design changes driven by launch learnings
• Complete production part approvals and sign-offs
• Confirm systems meet performance and manufacturability targets

Responsibilities:

• Own system-level engineering of vehicle exterior assemblies from prototype through production release
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for launch issues using structured problem-solving methods (8D, DFMEA, Fishbone)
• Track and manage open issues, including next steps, containment, and permanent fixes
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing teams to validate solutions through prototypes and plant trials
• Support testing, validation, and development of exterior systems
• Ensure solutions meet cost, quality, and manufacturability requirements
• Drive engineering documentation through final release readiness

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 7+ years of experience in automotive engineering (preferably exterior systems)
• Strong expertise in RCA and structured problem-solving methodologies
• Experience supporting vehicle launches and production environments
• Knowledge of prototype development, validation, and manufacturing processes
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working on OEM programs
• Familiarity with tools such as TeamCenter, Jira, or similar systems
• Understanding of automotive exterior systems, materials, fit & finish, and environmental requirements

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.

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