Design Release Engineer - Ambient Lighting, Switches Engineer

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.

Role Overview

You will be a key contributor within a world-class automotive interior electronics and systems engineering team, responsible for the development and delivery of ambient lighting and switch system components. This role combines mechanical packaging, electrical systems integration, and supplier execution, working closely with design, electrical architecture, vehicle engineering, and HMI teams to deliver premium, functional, and safe interior lighting and switch solutions from concept through production.

Key Responsibilities

Lead or support the engineering, packaging, release, and launch of ambient lighting systems and interior switch assemblies including door switches, overhead consoles, center stack controls, and indirect lighting zones

Translate interior design and lighting design intent into production-feasible, optically correct, and electrically compliant solutions

Define and manage component packaging envelopes, light pipe routing, diffuser geometry, and switch mechanism integration within trim assemblies

Collaborate with electrical architecture and body electronics teams to align on LIN/CAN network requirements, dimming protocols, and software-controlled lighting zones

Manage component-level DFMEA, DVPR, SCCAF, boundary diagrams, and robustness checklists through design and release milestones

Ensure compliance with FMVSS and homologation requirements for interior lighting visibility, switch labeling, and illumination levels

Work cross-functionally with HMI/UX, design, CMF, electrical integration, manufacturing, purchasing, and program teams

Collaborate with lighting and switch suppliers to ensure optical performance, EMC compliance, thermal management, and cost and timing targets

Support optical and photometric testing including luminance uniformity, color consistency, and intensity calibration across operating temperatures

Perform and support DFM assessments for light pipe molding, LED integration, and switch mechanism assembly

Support prototype builds and resolution of optical, functional, and integration quality findings

Apply and continuously improve engineering tools, methods, and best practices to support accelerated product development

Required Qualifications

4+ years' experience in automotive interior lighting, HMI, or switch system engineering

Understanding of automotive lighting design principles including light pipe optics, LED integration, diffuser design, and luminance uniformity

Familiarity with automotive electrical architecture, LIN/CAN bus communication, and ECU interface requirements for lighting and switch systems

Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools for packaging and component integration

Experience supporting vehicle or product launches, including supplier readiness and pre-production build support

Familiarity with DFMEA, DVPR, SCCAF, and quality documentation processes

Nice to Have / Advantageous

Ownership of at least one full ambient lighting or switch program lifecycle from concept through SOP

Experience in a fast-paced OEM or startup EV environment where lighting is a key brand differentiator

Deep knowledge of ambient lighting system architecture including zone controllers, master/slave LED modules, and software-driven color/intensity mapping

Experience with optical simulation tools (e.g. LightTools, SPEOS, TracePro) for light pipe and diffuser design validation

Understanding of EMC requirements and thermal derating for LED assemblies in enclosed trim environments

Knowledge of haptic feedback switch systems, capacitive touch integration, and illuminated switch lens design

Familiarity with photometric standards and OEM-specific luminance and color temperature requirements

Hands-on, practical engineering mindset with strong attention to optical performance and systems integration

Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across design, electrical, software, and supply chain teams

Passion for creating premium, emotionally engaging interior lighting and control experiences

Salary Range:

$120,000-$135,000

The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but n…