Optics Engineer with Automotive Exterior Lighting

Zapnix LLC; Silao (Ciudad); On-site; MXN 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Zapnix LLC in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico, is seeking an Optics Engineer focused on automotive exterior lighting to design and simulate high-performance exterior optics.

The role requires 3-5 years of hands-on experience in automotive lighting, proficiency with LucidShape or Speos, and strong CAD skills. You will collaborate with mechanical and program teams to deliver robust, production-ready solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or related.
• 3-5 years of automotive lighting optical design, simulation, testing, or performance analysis.
• Experience supporting optical products through concept development, design release, prototyping, validation, tooling, and industrialization is preferred.
• Knowledge of automotive exterior lighting regulations, photometric requirements, and homologation processes.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop optical systems for automotive exterior lighting products, including reflectors, lenses, light guides, thick-wall optics, and other concepts.
• Create and optimize optical prescriptions to meet photometric, styling, packaging, thermal, and manufacturing requirements.
• Perform optical simulations, analyse results, identify performance gaps, and implement design improvements.
• Collaborate with mechanical design teams to resolve packaging, tolerance, material, surface-quality, and assembly-related issues.
• Coordinate prototype, laboratory, and vehicle-level evaluations of optical models and production-intent parts.
• Prepare optical reports, simulation results, design documentation, and customer presentation materials.
• Participate in technical reviews and product-performance evaluations with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Support troubleshooting of optical performance issues during development, tooling, industrialization, and production.
• Maintain awareness of applicable automotive lighting regulations and homologation requirements.

Skills

Geometric optics

Photometry

Automotive lighting

Optical design

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Optical Eng

Physics

Photonics

Mechanical Eng

Tools

LucidShape

ANSYS Speos

CATIA

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

Solid Edge

Job description

Job Title: Optics Engineer with Automotive Exterior Lighting

Location: Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico (Onsite)

Job Description: Optical Engineer - Automotive Exterior Lighting

Experience: 3-5 Years

Function: Optical Design & Simulation

Industry: Tier 1, Automotive Exterior Lighting

Skills: Optics, Exterior Lighting, Lucid Shape, SPEOS

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop optical systems for automotive exterior lighting products, including reflectors, lenses, light guides, thick-wall optics, and other illumination concepts.
• Create and optimize optical prescriptions to meet photometric, styling, packaging, thermal, and manufacturing requirements.
• Perform optical simulations, analyse results, identify performance gaps, and implement design improvements.
• Collaborate with mechanical design teams to resolve packaging, tolerance, material, surface-quality, and assembly-related issues affecting optical performance.
• Support feasibility studies, concept evaluations, technical proposals, and preliminary performance assessments for new business opportunities.
• Coordinate prototype, laboratory, and vehicle-level evaluations of optical models and production-intent parts.
• Conduct physical lamp measurements and analyze photometric performance using laboratory equipment.
• Provide optical design requirements and technical guidance to program management, tooling, manufacturing, quality, and project teams.
• Prepare optical reports, simulation results, design documentation, and customer presentation materials.
• Participate in technical reviews and product-performance evaluations with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Support troubleshooting of optical performance issues during development, tooling, industrialization, and production.
• Maintain awareness of applicable automotive lighting regulations and homologation requirements, including ECE, SAE, FMVSS, and CCC.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of geometric optics, photometry, illumination principles, and automotive lighting systems.
• Experience in designing reflectors, lenses, light guides, thick-wall optics, or related optical systems.
• Hands-on experience with optical simulation software such as LucidShape, Ansys Speos, or equivalent tools.
• Working knowledge of 3D CAD tools such as CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, or Solid Edge.
• Understanding of injection-moulded optical components, optical materials, surface textures, tolerances, and manufacturing limitations.
• Knowledge of automotive exterior lighting regulations, photometric requirements, and homologation processes.
• Ability to interpret simulation results and correlate them with prototype or laboratory measurements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in a time-sensitive automotive development environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to changing customer and program priorities.
• Good technical reporting, presentation, and customer communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of scripting or automation languages for engineering analysis is an advantage.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and travel to customer or manufacturing locations when required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in automotive lighting optical design, simulation, testing, product development, or performance analysis.
• Practical experience supporting optical products through concept development, design release, prototyping, validation, tooling, and industrialization is preferred.