Electrical Lighting Engineer

Optimal; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Travel with the team

Job summary

Optimal is seeking an Exterior Lighting Engineer to own lighting system design across headlamps, taillamps, and related assemblies. You will bridge mechanical, electrical, software, and optical engineering to ensure robust, manufacturable solutions using advanced digital tools.

The role leads CAD and analytical work, sign-offs in Teamcenter, DFMEAs, DFMEA, and ESOW/EC development, with a hybrid work arrangement (4 days in-office). Domestic and international travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Degree in electrical or software engineering.
• Experience with automotive lighting systems is preferred.
• Strong analytical and design review skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform and sign-off analyses for component and system packaging (including GD&T layouts).
• Lead design reviews and sign-off CAD documents (DFMEA, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, DVP&Rs).
• Develop ESOW and EC documents; participate in sourcing and cost reviews.
• Address issues using root-cause analysis and permanent corrective actions.
• Apply Six Sigma principles and collaborate with supplier engagement.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required.

Skills

Software Development

Software Testing

Electrical Engineering

Systems Engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in electrical or software engineering

Tools

CATIA

3DX

Teamcenter

CAE tools

Job description

Position Description:

The Exterior Lighting Engineer is a multi-disciplinary technical authority responsible for the integrity, evolution, and in-house design ownership of lighting systems. As the department shifts toward Build-to-Print (BTP) models and AI-driven engineering, this role is the primary driver of OEM's internal technical foundation. This position bridges the gap between mechanical, electrical, software, and optical engineering. Whether focused on advanced development or application execution, the engineer is the primary lead in ensuring that lighting technologies are not only robust and manufacturable but also developed using the most advanced digital transformation tools available. Group being "core" works on all exterior lighting and all programs. We support the Applications team across all projects. (Headlamps, taillamps, chmsl, fog lamps, license plate lamps, etc.)

Responsibilities:

• Perform and/or review & sign off technical analyses of component/system functional and packaging studies such as: dimensional stackups (GD&T layouts), CAE's, dynamic calculations and simulations, etc.
• Actively participate in the Technical Design Reviews.
• Review and sign-off CAD in Teamcenter Develop Lighting System documents including DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, & DVP&Rs
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
• Develop ESOW (Engineering Statement of Work), EC (Engineering concepts) and participate in the sourcing Process (SOBA, ED&T review, piece cost and tooling cost review. Identify validation, durability and functional tests required as per SDS & ES. (DVP / FEDE)
• Address issues with root cause analysis (8Ds, 3x5Why) and permanent corrective actions implementation.
• Apply knowledge of six sigma principles. Collaborate with STA with technical assistance through the Supplier Engagement Process.
• Travel to supplier manufacturing and testing sites when required.
• Travel to North America plants when required.
• Hardware & PCB Design: Develop schematics, layout recommendations, and component selections for LED driver boards, power regulation circuits, and EMC filtering.
• Embedded Software Development: Write and validate embedded C/C++ microcode for LIN/CAN network integration, diagnostic stacks, thermal foldback routines, and lighting animations.
• AUTOSAR & Cyber Security Compliance: Ensure software architecture complies with OEM AUTOSAR standards, functional safety (ISO 26262), and cybersecurity requirements.
• Thermal & Electrical Analysis: Perform thermal FEA modeling, circuit worst-case analysis (WCA), and electrical stress testing

Skills Required:

Software Development, Software Testing, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering

• Software Development - Previous experience writing code for automotive electronics. Use experience to judge supplier development status and perform detailed reviews.
• Software Testing - Perform system testing at OEM using traditional CAN based tools. Audit supplier test cases to prevent issues at Ford.
• Electrical Engineering - Ability to manage a supplier for deliverables and confirm the hardware software interfaces.
• Systems Engineering - Ability to manage a system delivery and interface point between multiple internal and external customers of an electronics module.

Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in electrical or software engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in design, development, or launch of automotive lighting or similar components CAD Capable (such as CATIA, 3DX, Teamcenter) & familiarity with CAE tools and software.
• Benchmarking experience Integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative and prioritize workload.
• Ability to travel domestical and international. Proficient in MS Office apps such as Excel, Word, Power Point MS Teams, and MS Azure SharePoint.

Experience Preferred:

• Master's of Science in Engineering (Electrical preferred).
• 7+ years of experience in design and release of Exterior Lighting Software literacy and mechatronics experience.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis.
• 8D and 5Why corrective action and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with DFMEA's, PFMEA's, and SCCAF's Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GD&T Ability to work in a fluid environment when overall vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location are not always known.
• Ability to solve complex system issues and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt your role to a variety of applications and issues as required.

Additional Information:

• HYBRID (4 days per week in the office)
• As this is a hybrid position, the customer may request in-person interviews.
• Travel to supplier manufacturing and testing sites when required.
• Travel to North America plants when required.