Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer

Manpower Group (USA); Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Prescription Drug Plans

Vision Plan

Health Savings Account

Health Flexible Spending Account

Weekly Pay

Short/Long Term Disability Insurance

Job summary

ManpowerGroup’s Experis division seeks an Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer in Foster City, CA. You will drive exterior vehicle lighting concepts through production, partnering with design, suppliers, and manufacturing to resolve complex issues and deliver robust, high-volume solutions.

Ideal candidates have a mechanical engineering background, 5+ years in lamp development, and CATIA V5/V6 expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 5+ years in exterior/interior lamp development at Tier 1 or OEM.
• Experience with lighting systems engineering and CAN traces.
• Experience managing full part lifecycle from design to production release.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 Part Design and Geometric Surface Design.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop exterior lighting solutions for vehicles from concept through production.
• Collaborate with Studio Designers, Suppliers and Manufacturing to meet design targets.
• Apply plastics, injection molding, optical design, GD&T, and electronics to optimize parts for high-volume production.
• Conduct root-cause analysis for lighting system faults using diagnostics and logs.
• Manage Tier 1 supplier relationships, RFQ documentation, and engineering change processes.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

CAN traces

Job description

Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer

• Reference Number: 411841
• Published Date: 09/18/2026
• Job Type: Temporary
• Industry: Architecture and Engineering
• Hours: Full Time

Our client, a leader in innovative automotive technology, is seeking an Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer to join their team. As an Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer, you will be part of the Engineering Department supporting the Vehicle Development team. The ideal candidate will have strong problem‑solving skills, excellent communication abilities, and a collaborative mindset, which will align successfully in the organization.

Job Title:Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer

Location:Foster City, CA

Pay Range:$75-$80/hour + Benefits

What's the Job?

• Design and develop exterior lighting solutions for vehicles, translating aesthetic visions into feasible, production‑ready designs from concept through production.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including Studio Designers, Suppliers, and Manufacturing to achieve design themes, attribute targets, and resolve complex engineering issues.
• Leverage expertise in plastics, injection molding, optical design, GD&T principles, and electronics to solve technical challenges and optimize parts for high‑volume manufacturing.
• Conduct root‑cause analysis for lighting system faults, reviewing communication logs and system diagnostics to identify issues.
• Manage Tier 1 supplier relationships, including RFQ documentation, technical design reviews, and feedback integration, while maintaining accurate BOM and managing engineering change processes.

What's Needed?

• Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in exterior/interior lamp development at a Tier 1 or OEM.
• Proficiency in lighting systems engineering, including communication logs (CAN traces).
• Experience managing full part lifecycle, from design to production release.
• Strong skills in CATIA V5/V6, especially in Part Design and Geometric Surface Design modules.

What's in it for me?

• Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge vehicle lighting technology in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborate with a talented team dedicated to innovation and excellence.
• Engage in meaningful projects that impact the future of transportation.
• Develop your skills in a fast‑growing industry with high growth potential.
• Be part of a forward‑thinking organization committed to diversity and inclusion.

Upon completion of waiting period consultants are eligible for:

• Medical and Prescription Drug Plans
• Vision Plan
• Health Savings Account
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Business Travel Insurance
• Weekly Pay

About ManpowerGroup, Parent Company of: Manpower, Experis and Talent Solutions.

Experis® is a global leader in technology services and part of the ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN) family of brands. We connect skilled technology professionals with meaningful opportunities where they can grow their careers, expand their expertise and make a real impact. Guided by the belief that it takes Human Ingenuity to unlock the true potential of technology, Experis helps people gain experience with leading organizations, build sought‑after skills and take the next step toward a brighter future. Backed by ManpowerGroup's 75+ years of workforce expertise and global reach across more than 70 countries and territories, Experis brings the scale, insight and opportunity to help people and businesses thrive. ManpowerGroup is consistently recognized for its commitment to inclusion, ethics and responsible business, including being named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. Learn more at Experis.com.