diff --git a/CHANGES.rst b/CHANGES.rst
index 14dffba59..2d3daac62 100644
--- a/CHANGES.rst
+++ b/CHANGES.rst
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
-0.16.2 (unreleased)
+0.16.2 (2024-08-23)
 ===================
 
--
+pipeline
+--------
+
+- Added ``suffix`` to the spec of ExposurePipeline with a
+  default value of ``cal``. Removed explicit setting of ``suffix``
+  so that it can be passed as an argument to ``strun``. [#1378]
 
 0.16.1 (2024-08-13)
 ===================
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bc0eaae68..8cf41a1dc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ an [issue](https://github.com/spacetelescope/romancal/issues).
 | 0.15.1    | 24Q3_B14  | 058          | May 2024  | Release for Build 24Q3_B14 (Build 14) |
 | 0.16.0    | 24Q4_B15  | 063          | Aug 2024  | Release for Build 24Q3_B15 (Build 15) |
 | 0.16.1    | 24Q4_B15  | 063          | Aug 2024  | Release for Build 24Q3_B15 (Build 15) |
+| 0.16.2    | 24Q4_B15  | 063          | Aug 2024  | Release for Build 24Q3_B15 (Build 15) |
 
 
 Note: CRDS_CONTEXT values flagged with an asterisk in the above table are estimates
diff --git a/romancal/pipeline/exposure_pipeline.py b/romancal/pipeline/exposure_pipeline.py
index 0ba0aeafa..7e61969d0 100644
--- a/romancal/pipeline/exposure_pipeline.py
+++ b/romancal/pipeline/exposure_pipeline.py
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ class ExposurePipeline(RomanPipeline):
     spec = """
         save_calibrated_ramp = boolean(default=False)
         save_results = boolean(default=False)
+        suffix = string(default="cal")
     """
 
     # Define aliases to steps
@@ -149,8 +150,6 @@ def process(self, input):
                 ]:
                     result.meta.cal_step[step_str] = "SKIPPED"
 
-                # Set suffix for proper output naming
-                self.suffix = "cal"
                 results.append(result)
                 return results
 
@@ -177,9 +176,6 @@ def process(self, input):
                 result.meta.cal_step.photom = "SKIPPED"
                 result.meta.cal_step.source_detection = "SKIPPED"
                 result.meta.cal_step.tweakreg = "SKIPPED"
-                self.suffix = "cal"
-
-            self.setup_output(result)
 
             self.output_use_model = True
             results.append(result)
@@ -193,10 +189,6 @@ def process(self, input):
 
         return results
 
-    def setup_output(self, input):
-        """Determine the proper file name suffix to use later"""
-        self.suffix = "cal"
-
     def create_fully_saturated_zeroed_image(self, input_model):
         """
         Create zeroed-out image file
@@ -226,8 +218,5 @@ def create_fully_saturated_zeroed_image(self, input_model):
         ]:
             fully_saturated_model.meta.cal_step[step_str] = "SKIPPED"
 
-        # Set suffix for proper output naming
-        self.suffix = "cal"
-
         # Return zeroed-out image file
         return fully_saturated_model
diff --git a/romancal/regtest/test_wfi_pipeline.py b/romancal/regtest/test_wfi_pipeline.py
index 72b6a4b9d..ad5a1e39e 100644
--- a/romancal/regtest/test_wfi_pipeline.py
+++ b/romancal/regtest/test_wfi_pipeline.py
@@ -517,7 +517,11 @@ def test_elp_input_dm(rtdata, ignore_asdf_paths):
 
 @pytest.mark.bigdata
 def test_processing_pipeline_all_saturated(rtdata, ignore_asdf_paths):
-    """Tests for fully saturated data skipping steps in the pipeline"""
+    """Tests for fully saturated data skipping steps in the pipeline
+
+    Note that this test mimics how the pipeline is run in OPS.
+    Any changes to this test should be coordinated with OPS.
+    """
     input_data = "r0000101001001001001_01101_0001_WFI01_ALL_SATURATED_uncal.asdf"
     rtdata.get_data(f"WFI/image/{input_data}")
     rtdata.input = input_data
@@ -547,3 +551,47 @@ def test_processing_pipeline_all_saturated(rtdata, ignore_asdf_paths):
     assert model.meta.cal_step.assign_wcs == "SKIPPED"
     assert model.meta.cal_step.flat_field == "SKIPPED"
     assert model.meta.cal_step.photom == "SKIPPED"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.bigdata
+def test_pipeline_suffix(rtdata, ignore_asdf_paths):
+    """
+    Tests passing suffix to the pipeline
+
+    Note that this test mimics how the pipeline is run in OPS.
+
+    Any changes to this test should be coordinated with OPS.
+    """
+    input_data = "r0000101001001001001_01101_0001_WFI01_uncal.asdf"
+    rtdata.get_data(f"WFI/image/{input_data}")
+
+    output = "r0000101001001001001_01101_0001_WFI01_star.asdf"
+    rtdata.output = output
+
+    args = [
+        "roman_elp",
+        rtdata.input,
+        "--steps.tweakreg.skip=True",
+        "--suffix=star",
+    ]
+    ExposurePipeline.from_cmdline(args)
+    rtdata.get_truth(f"truth/WFI/image/{output}")
+
+    diff = compare_asdf(rtdata.output, rtdata.truth, **ignore_asdf_paths)
+    assert diff.identical, diff.report()
+
+    # Ensure step completion is as expected
+    model = rdm.open(rtdata.output)
+
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.dq_init == "COMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.saturation == "COMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.linearity == "COMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.dark == "COMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.jump == "COMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.ramp_fit == "COMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.assign_wcs == "COMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.flat_field == "COMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.photom == "COMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.source_detection == "COMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.cal_step.tweakreg == "INCOMPLETE"
+    assert model.meta.filename == output