Design Release Engineer – Exterior & Interior Lighting

Design Release Engineer – Exterior & Interior Lighting

Mission

The Design Release Engineer (DRE) – Automotive Lighting leads the engineering design, development, integration, and production launch of exterior (headlamps, taillamps, CHMSLs, side markers) and interior (ambient lighting, overhead consoles, accent lights) illumination systems.

Core Responsibilities

• Component Ownership: Manage the complete product lifecycle of lighting assemblies from initial concept through prototype builds to Start of Production (SOP).
• Technical & Optical Integration: Lead optical, thermal, electrical, and mechanical integration. Maintain compliance with Class-A styling surfaces while integrating LEDs, light pipes, lenses, reflectors, and electronic control units (ECUs).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Design Studio to preserve styling intent, Thermal/FEA engineers to ensure heat dissipation and structural integrity, and Packaging teams to resolve spatial constraints.
• Supplier Management: Direct Tier-1 lighting suppliers through the APQP process, maintaining strict adherence to cost, mass, timing, and quality targets.
• Validation & Compliance: Execute the Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R). Ensure full compliance with global lighting regulations (FMVSS 108, ECE, GB standards).
• Quality & Problem Solving: Author DFMEAs, define GD&T requirements, and lead root-cause analysis (8D, 5-Why) for testing failures, seal leaks (ingress/condensation), and dimensional variations.

Profile

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• CAD Systems: Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 or Siemens NX for surface analysis, packaging, and clearance validation.
• Lighting Technology: Hands-on experience with LED modules, light guides, micro-optics, matrix beam technologies, thermal management, e-coatings, and plastic injection molding/hard-coating.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Working knowledge of FMVSS 108, ECE, SAE, and environmental testing protocols (vibration, thermal shock, IP67/IP69K ingress protection).
• Engineering Tools: Proficiency in DFMEA, GD&T, DVP&R, PPAP, APQP, and BOM management.

Location

Auburn Hills, United States