Engineering - Senior Optical Engineer

Grote-Industries; Madison (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Grote Industries in Indiana seeks a Senior Optical Engineer to lead the design, validation, and support of automotive headlamp and signal lamp systems for OEM customers in the heavy-duty market.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with manufacturing and sales, and ensure products meet regulatory, performance, and cost targets while advancing lens, LED, and reflector technologies.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in Optical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering (Master's preferred).
• Extensive experience in optical design for automotive headlamps or signal lamps.
• Experience with automotive lighting manufacturing processes (injection molding, coatings, assembly) is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead optical design for headlamps and signal lamps to meet cost, quality, and regulation requirements.
• Design and simulate optical systems using LEDs, molded lenses, and reflectors.
• Coordinate testing/validation with goniometers, integrating spheres, and spectroradiometers.
• Ensure compliance with FMVSS 108, UN Regulations, and SAE Lighting standards.
• Mentor engineers and support cross-functional teams across manufacturing and QA.

Skills

Automotive lighting design

Optical simulation

Team collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Goniometers

Integrating spheres

Spectroradiometers

Job description

Senior Optical Engineer

Reports to: Senior Engineering Manager

Company Info

With a heritage of nearly 120 years, we aren’t just a company; we are a brand of trust. But more than anything, we are a collection of individuals who, together, give Grote Industries a decisive competitive advantage. At Grote, our shared vision is clear – to meet the needs of the customers we serve. We accomplish that mission every day by following a set of core values that makes us who we are.

Innovation has been the hallmark of Grote Industries from the start. From durable, easy to see stop lights to the latest in LED lighting technology, Grote has been leading the way in advanced vehicle system solutions from early in the last century right up to today. With these innovations, Grote has helped millions of people throughout North America and the world benefit from the innovation and design excellence of Grote products.

Position Summary

The Senior Optical Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, and support of automotive headlamp and signal lamp systems for OEM customers in the heavy-duty market. This role leads optical design activities, supports cross-functional teams, and ensures products meet regulatory, customer, performance, durability, quality, manufacturing, and cost requirements while mentoring less-experienced engineers.

Position Duties

• Collaborate with project team members to develop new or improved headlamp and signal lamp designs that meet regulatory, customer, performance, durability, quality, manufacturing, and cost targets.
• Design and simulate optical systems using LEDs, molded lenses, and molded/metallized reflectors.
• Perform and/or coordinate testing and validation of lamps and components using goniometers, integrating spheres, spectroradiometers, and related equipment.
• Research, interpret, and apply relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards including FMVSS 108, UN Regulations (R148–R150), and SAE Lighting Systems Group standards.
• Develop, improve, and document design, simulation, and testing standards related to lamp mechanical and optical design.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Quality teams to troubleshoot and resolve manufacturing process and quality control issues.
• Work with Purchasing to source components, validate suppliers, and ensure purchased components meet design specifications, industry standards, cost targets, and supply chain flexibility requirements.
• Support Sales in quoting new or revised business, including estimating part and capital costs and providing technical input for customer engagements.
• Mentor and guide other engineers and team members in quoting, design, manufacturing processes, validation, and best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Extensive experience in optical engineering design for automotive headlamps and/or signal lamps.
• Demonstrated experience with automotive lighting manufacturing processes including injection molding, plastic part assembly, and coatings.