Design And Release Engineer - Exterior Lighting

Actalent; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO / Vacation or Sick Leave

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Exterior Lighting D&R Engineer to own the complete engineering release process for exterior lighting systems and to drive design improvements through a structured product development process.

This contract role in Dearborn, MI involves collaboration across Design, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, and Program Management, with responsibility for regulatory, photometric, and durability requirements and for coordinating validation and production launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with CATIA, Teamcenter or comparable CAD/PLM systems.
• Knowledge of GD&T, DVP&R, DFMEA, APQP, and PPAP methodologies.
• Experience supporting automotive product launches and supplier development activities.

Responsibilities

• Manage product release CAD and BOM structures from concept to production.
• Utilize PLM systems with check-in/check-out, version control, engineering release, and change management.
• Perform feasibility analyses including draft analysis, tolerance stack-up reviews, and manufacturability assessments.
• Guide supplier partners through a structured product development process.
• Perform Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA), DFMEA, and risk mitigation activities.
• Collaborate with Design, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Program Management, and Supplier teams.
• Lead design and release of headlamps, tail lamps, daytime running lamps, side markers, and illuminated exterior features.
• Coordinate validation, electronics integration, and production launch support.

Skills

Exterior Lighting Design

CAD/PLM

DFMEA/PPAP

Automotive launches

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

Teamcenter

Job description

Exterior Lighting D&R Engineer

Position Summary

The Design & Release Engineer owns the complete engineering release process for assigned commodity systems and serves as the primary technical interface with supplier partners.

Key Responsibilities

• The D&R Engineer is responsible for managing product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning, mass attribute analysis, supplier data integration, and CAD studies that drive design improvements.

• Utilize enterprise PLM systems including check-in/check-out processes, version control, engineering release, change management, and configuration control.

• Perform feasibility analyses including draft analysis, undercut detection, tolerance stack-up reviews, clearance evaluations, and manufacturability assessments.

• Guide supplier partners through a structured product development process.

• Perform Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA), DFMEA, and risk mitigation activities.

• Collaborate with Design, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Program Management, and Supplier teams.

• Manage quality, cost, timing, weight, and program deliverables from concept through launch and production support.

• Lead design and release of headlamps, tail lamps, daytime running lamps, side markers, and illuminated exterior features.

• Develop lighting systems meeting regulatory, photometric, thermal management, styling, and durability requirements.

• Coordinate optical validation, condensation prevention, electronics integration, supplier readiness, and production launch support.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

• Experience with CATIA, Teamcenter or comparable CAD/PLM systems.

• Knowledge of GD&T, DVP&R, DFMEA, APQP, and PPAP methodologies.

• Experience supporting automotive product launches and supplier development activities.

Sponsorship is not being offered for this position

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of DEARBORN, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $50.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in DEARBORN,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.