Closures System Engineer

What you'll do...

- Lead sub-system mechanical development and integration of closure systems, including sheet metal, door latches, hinges, hood/tailgate hardware, struts, and exterior handles.

- Design and develop closure inner and outer panels, reinforcements, and architectural interfaces using CAD (3DX/CATIA).

- Package and integrate moving mechanical components including hinges, latches, checks, and seals, ensuring proper kinematics and clearance.

- Define and execute Design Verification Plans (DVP&R). Coordinate physical testing for durability, strength, and environmental performance, and correlate results with CAE simulations.

- Work closely with Studio Design to ensure 'Class A' surface feasibility while maintaining engineering requirements for structural stiffness and water sealing.

- Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure sheet metal designs are optimized for stamping, hemming, and assembly (welding/bonding).

- Manage supplier technical delivery to ensure hardware components meet functional, weight, and cost targets.

- Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during the development, prototype build, and vehicle launch phases.

- Own the CAD, BOM, and GD&T documentation for assigned closure sub-systems.

You'll have...

Bachelor's or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

- 3+ years of experience in production vehicle development and launch.

- 3+ years of experience utilizing CAD (3DX or CATIA preferred) for automotive body or closure systems.

- Demonstrated experience in the design and release of sheet metal components or mechanical hardware

Even better, you may have...

- Closures Expertise: Strong understanding of closure-specific requirements, including hemming, sealing systems, and door-retention kinematics.

- Expert Mechanical Fundamentals: Deep understanding of mechanism kinematics, linkages, and electromechanical integration (e.g., e-latches and powered closures).

- Materials & Manufacturing: Strong knowledge of sheet metal stamping, casting, and materials science to facilitate seamless integration of hardware into the vehicle body.

- CAE Literacy: Ability to leverage CAE tools to drive design decisions regarding mechanism stiffness, timing, and structural integrity.

- Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with global safety standards and FMVSS requirements related to door retention and closure systems.

- Validation Knowledge: Experience with DVP&R, including cycle testing, slam testing, and environmental soak validation.

- Craftsmanship: Strong understanding of GD&T and how mechanism tolerances impact vehicle-level gaps, flushes, and user perceived quality.

- Hands-on Approach: Experience in physical prototyping and a 'boots-on-the-ground' mentality during production build events.

The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate's 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.

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.