Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer

EDAG; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

EDAG is seeking an Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer to own headlamps and rear lamps from concept to SOP, coordinating optical, mechanical, and E/E interfaces. You will lead design reviews, manage changes, and drive issues to resolution across Studio, Body, E/E, and Manufacturing teams.

The role demands strong optics expertise, photometric validation, and collaboration with OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. North American exposure and familiarity with FMVSS/SAE are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or Optical Engineering.
• 5+ years of exterior automotive lighting development experience.
• Ownership of headlamp and/or rear lamp design and release, including CAD reviews, BOMs, and change management.
• Expertise in optics, light distributions, LED/electronics, lamp construction, and vehicle integration.
• Hands-on photometric validation, prototype builds, launch support, and issue resolution.
• Experience collaborating with automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Preferred: North American OEM experience and familiarity with FMVSS/SAE requirements; Ansys SPEOS, photometric measurement, DFMEA, or DVP&R; optical plastics, tooling, lamp manufacturing processes, or interior lighting.
• English (C1-C2)

Responsibilities

• Own headlamps, rear lamps, and other exterior lighting systems from concept to SOP; lead design and release activities, including CAD data, BOMs, and engineering releases.
• Evaluate lighting concepts, optical feasibility, packaging, and integration with Studio, Body, E/E, and Manufacturing teams.
• Drive design reviews, engineering changes, and technical issue resolution; balance performance, cost, weight, complexity, manufacturability, and timing.
• Define lighting validation plans, ensure photometric compliance, and support prototype builds, vehicle builds, and launch activities.
• Guide suppliers and serve as the primary technical interface for the customer.
• Track milestones, risks, open issues, and engineering deliverables.

Skills

Exterior lighting development

Cross-functional collaboration

Prototype builds support

Technical issue resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or Optical Engineering

Tools

Ansys SPEOS

Photometric validation

DFMEA

DVP&R

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Working together, growing together, creating new things together: EDAG connects people and the future. Company and workforce share the same vision. With a familiar atmosphere and at the same time the potential of a global world-class development company. You'll go your own way in your career at a high level - nationally and internationally. Take your next step and support us as a EXTERIOR LIGHTING DESIGN & RELEASE ENGINEER.

DESCRIPTION

• Own headlamps, rear lamps, and other exterior lighting systems from concept to SOP; lead design and release activities, including optical, mechanical, and E/E interfaces, CAD data, BOMs, and engineering releases
• Evaluate lighting concepts, optical feasibility, packaging, and integration in collaboration with Studio, Body, E/E, and Manufacturing teams
• Drive design reviews, engineering changes, and technical issue resolution; balance performance, cost, weight, complexity, manufacturability, and timing
• Define lighting validation plans, ensure photometric compliance, and support prototype builds, vehicle builds, and launch activities
• Guide suppliers and serve as the primary technical interface for the customer
• Track milestones, risks, open issues, and engineering deliverables

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree inMechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or Optical Engineering.
• At least 5 years of dedicated experience in exterior automotive lighting development
• Proven design and release ownership of headlamps and/or rear lamps, including CAD reviews, BOMs, and change management
• Strong expertise in optics, light distributions, LED/electronics, lamp construction, vehicle integration, and lighting regulations
• Hands-on experience with photometric validation, prototype builds, launch support, and structured resolution of lighting issues
• Proven collaboration with automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and cross-functional teams
• Preferred: North American OEM experience and familiarity with FMVSS/SAE requirements; experience with Ansys SPEOS, photometric measurement, DFMEA, or DVP&R; knowledge of optical plastics, tooling, lamp manufacturing processes, or interior lighting
• English (C1-C2)

MAKING IMPOSSIBLE THINGS POSSIBLE WITH YOU