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# Power Liftgate Systems - Design Release Engineer

- **Company:** ALTEN Technology USA
- **Location:** Auburn Hills, MI, United States
- **Experience:** Experienced
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Computer-Aided Design, Computer Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application (CATIA), Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Apache Struts, Systems Integration, Teamcenter (Software)
- **Published:** October 27, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.thejobnetwork.com/job/421dcb8a-6a69-4d4e-96cf-9e8e3d6ea0e3/power-liftgate-systems-design-release-engineer

## About the Role

* Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
 * Experience:
 * 3+ years of experience in automotive product development design and release.
 * Direct experience with electromechanical systems, closures, moving mechanisms, or body-electronics integration preferred.
 * Technical Skills:
 * Deep understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and tolerance stack-up analysis.
 * Familiarity with typical automotive manufacturing processes (plastics injection molding, stamping, electronics assembly).
 * Proficiency in change management documentation (CNs/ECRs) and managing a Bill of Materials (BOM).
 * Soft Skills: Excellent interpersonal, project tracking, and conflict management skills needed to drive alignment across global engineering sites.

## Description

The Design Release Engineer (DRE) for Power Liftgate Systems is responsible for the end-to-end engineering, design, development, validation, and production release of automated liftgate and tailgate systems. This role requires a balance of mechanical packaging and electromechanical integration, managing components like electric struts/actuators, latching mechanisms, control modules, pinch sensors, and wire routings. The engineer acts as the technical owner from initial concept sketches through full vehicle launch., * Component Ownership: Lead the complete "cradle-to-grave" product engineering process for power liftgate components and sub-systems, ensuring they meet vehicle packaging and styling constraints.

 * CAD & Architecture: Interface with internal or supplier CAD resources using NX / CATIA and manage product release structures within Teamcenter.
 * Quality & Validation: Author and execute Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R) testing at the component, system, and full-vehicle level.
 * Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the Product Design Office (styling), body-in-white (BIW), interior trim, electrical architecture, and assembly plants to ensure flawless system integration.
 * Supplier Management: Oversee tier-1 supplier engineering and manufacturing activities, leading design reviews and ensuring hardware delivers on time and within cost targets.
 * Issue Resolution: Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., Shainin Red X, Kepner-Tregoe, DFSS) to root-cause assembly plant, prototype build, and field warranty failures.