Design Release Engineer (DRE) – Automotive Alternators

The role

The Design Release Engineer will lead the technical development, design integration, validation, and release of automotive alternators and related 12V electrical components. This role involves working with global engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams to ensure component performance and compliance.

What you will do

• Lead the development and release of automotive alternators and related 12V electrical components.
• Review and validate component designs, technical drawings, specifications, and engineering changes.
• Ensure compliance with automotive environmental, mechanical, electrical, thermal, vibration, durability, and reliability requirements.
• Support alternator integration within the vehicle electrical architecture.
• Coordinate with suppliers and cross-functional engineering teams to resolve design, integration, and validation issues.
• Support component testing, validation activities, issue resolution, and production launch readiness.
• Lead root cause analysis for alternator failures, component malfunctions, production issues, and customer complaints.
• Investigate electrical, mechanical, thermal, vibration, and durability-related failures.
• Implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Drive resolution of recurring field issues and customer claims.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in automotive component development.
• Mandatory: Direct hands-on experience in automotive alternator design, development, validation, or design release.
• Strong understanding of alternator design, functionality, electrical generation, voltage regulation, and vehicle charging systems.
• Knowledge of alternator components, including rotor, stator, rectifier, voltage regulator, bearings, housing, and mounting interfaces.
• Experience in mechanical and electrical integration of alternators into vehicle systems.
• Solid understanding of automotive electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and vehicle packaging constraints.
• Experience in component validation, verification, supplier management, and production release.
• Strong experience in root cause analysis, failure investigation, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Familiarity with automotive quality tools, continuous improvement methodologies, and customer claim management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and technical documentation.

Nice to have

• Experience with 12V Battery Starter Generators (BSG) or related automotive electrical components
• Previous experience as an Automotive Alternator Design Release Engineer (DRE) or in direct alternator component development
• Experience with automotive OEMs or Tier 1 automotive suppliers
• Strong knowledge of 12V charging systems, voltage regulators, and alternator performance requirements
• Experience supporting supplier technical reviews, vehicle integration, production launches, and field issue resolution
• Hands-on experience with structured root cause analysis methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, and related problem-solving tools

Benefits

• Mentorship
• Career growth opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits

Before you apply

• Candidates without alternator experience will not be considered
• All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire

About the company

ALTEN Technology USA is an engineering company with 3,000+ experts across North America that partners with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, and more. As part of the global ALTEN Group, they deliver across the entire product development cycle.