Design Release Engineer, Body Interior- Soft Trim Engineer

Were ALTEN Technology USA an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to lifefrom advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3000 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 Group57000 engineers in 30 countrieswe deliver across the entire product development cycle from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA youll collaborate on some of the worlds 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.

Role Overview

You will be a key contributor within a world-class automotive interior trim engineering team responsible for the development and delivery of soft interior trim components. This role focuses on material engineering surface application detail design and launch execution working closely with design color and materials vehicle engineering and supplier partners to deliver premium interior solutions from concept through production.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of high-quality soft interior trim components delivering on luxury tactile feel craftsmanship safety ergonomics and long-term durability
• Lead or support the engineering packaging release and launch of soft trim components including wrapped panels seat surrounds soft-touch IP skins armrests and textile-based liners
• Translate interior design and CMF intent into production-feasible manufacturable soft trim constructions that maintain design fidelity through tooling and process variation
• Define and manage material and construction specifications including substrate foam skin and adhesive systems; oversee layered construction feasibility
• Manage component-level DFMEA DVPR boundary diagrams and robustness checklists through design and release milestones
• Work cross-functionally with CMF design vehicle engineering manufacturing purchasing and program teams to maintain craftsmanship intent and timing
• Collaborate closely with soft trim suppliers to ensure process capability grain and texture consistency cost targets and on-time delivery
• Support durability and environmental testing validation including UV resistance thermal cycling abrasion and seam strength
• Perform and support DFM assessments for slush molding vacuum forming sewing and bonding operations and related soft trim processes
• Support prototype builds buck reviews and resolution of surface seam and texture quality findings
• Apply and continuously improve engineering tools methods and best practices to support accelerated product development

Required Qualifications

• 4 years experience in automotive soft interior trim engineering (wrapped panels soft IP door armrests textile liners etc.)
• Strong understanding of soft trim material systems manufacturing processes (slush molding vacuum forming sewing lamination) and DFM principles
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools for surface definition and packaging
• Experience supporting vehicle or product launches including supplier readiness and pre-production build support
• Familiarity with DFMEA DVPR and soft trim quality documentation processes

Nice to Have / Advantageous

• Ownership of at least one full program lifecycle from concept through SOP
• Experience in a fast-paced OEM or startup EV environment
• Deep knowledge of soft trim construction methods including grain tooling hide matching sewing patterns and foam tuning for tactile performance
• Understanding of material aging light fastness and chemical resistance requirements per OEM specifications
• Experience with CMF alignment process including grain sampling color approval and texture sign-off
• Knowledge of airbag deployment zones and seamless airbag door integration within soft trim assemblies
• Hands-on practical engineering mindset with strong attention to surface quality and material behavior
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across design studios CMF teams and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers
• Passion for craftsmanship and premium interior material execution

Salary Range: $120000-$140000/K

The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including but not limited to location the candidates combination of job-related knowledge qualifications skills education training and experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability protected veteran status age genetic information or pregnancy.

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.