Exterior Automotive Lighting Systems Engineer (Opto-Mechanical)

Exterior Automotive Lighting Systems Engineer (Opto-Mechanical)

Pay: $75,000 – $80,000 | Visa Sponsorship: Not available | Relocation: Available | Work Arrangement: On-site (not remote)

Day in the life

You start your day on the engineering floor of a U.S.-based Tier One automotive supplier known for exterior lighting systems and electronic components. You review feasibility results against FMVSS 108 and global lighting standards, then refine a headlamp assembly in CATIA V5. After aligning the BOM and 2D/3D drawings, you step into a cross-functional huddle—production engineering, quality, and tooling at the table—where DRBFM actions and DFMEA updates steer design risk down. The afternoon is hands-on: mock-ups, tooling trials, and data-backed decisions that keep manufacturability and ISO 9001/14001/IATF 16949 compliance on track. You close with a crisp technical update to stakeholders—on time, precise, and decision-ready.

About the role and team

Join a vertically integrated manufacturing and engineering operation with in-house lighting design, mold design, production engineering, quality, assembly, sales, and customer support. You will own designs from concept through launch, reduce production issues through sound engineering, and help introduce new technologies to next-gen exterior lighting.

How you’ll succeed

• Keep projects organized and moving—without losing sight of details.
• Apply structured problem-solving and critical thinking to remove risk early.
• Work autonomously while thriving in cross-functional collaboration.
• Translate complex technical content into clear presentations and discussions.
• Proactively design for manufacturability to minimize downstream issues.

Core responsibilities

• Own the design and development of exterior automotive lighting from concept to production release.
• Perform feasibility studies to ensure compliance with FMVSS 108 and global lighting regulations.
• Lead and document DFMEA, DRBFM, and FTA activities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve design-related issues across the product lifecycle.
• Investigate and integrate emerging technologies relevant to lighting products.
• Create complete 2D drawings, 3D models, and assemblies in CATIA; manage BOMs.
• Validate with mock-ups and tooling trials; iterate based on empirical findings.
• Adhere to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent education/experience).
• 2–5 years in plastic injection molding for product development.
• 3–5 years of CAD, using CATIA V5 or V6 (minimum 3 years required).
• Familiarity with FMVSS 108 and worldwide lighting regulatory frameworks.
• Understanding of electrical circuits and LED operation.
• Automotive design background.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Preferred tools

• ANSYS SPEOS
• LucidShape CAA V5
• Moldex3D

Compensation and benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement and additional benefits