Exterior Lighting Engineer

Ford; Dearborn, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle discount program for employees

Tuition assistance

Paid time off and holidays

Paid time off for community service

Employee resource groups

Job summary

Ford Exterior Lighting Engineer role targets a recent graduate or early‑career engineer to develop into a lighting Design & Release engineer. You will learn how exterior lighting systems are designed, packaged, validated, released, and launched while collaborating with experienced engineers, suppliers, studio, software, electrical, purchasing, manufacturing, supplier quality and quality teams.

The ideal candidate has CAD fundamentals, strong problem‑solving skills, and a demonstrated interest in

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or related field.
• 0–2 years of engineering experience, with interest in automotive product development.
• CAD design skills for preliminary design work, package studies, section development, or similar engineering design activities.
• Automotive background through a co‑op, internship, Formula SAE, Baja SAE, senior design project, or other hands‑on vehicle‑related experience.
• Basic understanding of engineering design, testing, problem solving, and documentation.
• Ability to work with suppliers and cross‑functional teams with coaching and guidance.
• Strong communication, ownership, curiosity, and willingness to learn in a fast‑paced engineering environment.
• Self‑starter who can work independently, seek guidance when needed, and follow through on assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to apply engineering fundamentals to design tradeoffs and technical issue resolution.

Responsibilities

• Systems Engineering for Exterior Lighting
• Generate and execute technical solutions for Exterior Lighting components to support new vehicle programs
• Support engineering evaluation, problem solving, and data analysis for exterior lighting components
• Learn how vehicle, regulatory, appearance, optical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality requirements are translated into exterior lighting designs
• Develop preliminary CAD design proposals, package studies, section reviews, and conceptual CAD models with guidance from experienced engineers
• Work cross‑functionally to implement cost savings, product improvements, and to support prototype and production build activities
• Support supplier technical discussions, design reviews, CAD/data reviews, issue resolution, and launch readiness activities
• Balance attributes such as cost, weight, complexity, and timing
• Production release of Exterior Lighting systems, subsystems, components, and features
• Support validation readiness through DFMEA, DVP&R, inspection/testing review, functional assessments, and corrective action tracking
• Core requirement and technology development
• Communicate information to and from internal and external organizations
• Lead team meetings (suppliers, designers, engineers, manufacturing, supplier quality, etc.)
• Travel as required (including international)

Skills

CAD design

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Electrical or related field

Tools

CATIA

Teamcenter/TCE

3DX

WERS

FEDEBOM

Job description

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Product Development uses design thinking & user experience methods to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We bring innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life.We have opportunities around the world for you to contribute to advancements in autonomy, electrification, smart mobility technologies, and more!

In this position...

The Ford Exterior Lighting Engineer role is intended for a recent college graduate or early‑career engineer who is ready to develop into an automotive lighting Design & Release engineer. In this role, you will learn how exterior lighting systems are designed, packaged, validated, released, and launched while working with experienced engineers, suppliers, studio, software, electrical, purchasing, manufacturing, supplier technical assistance, and quality teams.

Our ideal candidate is a motivated early‑career engineer with strong CAD fundamentals, good problem‑solving skills, and a demonstrated interest in vehicle development. Prior exposure to automotive engineering through a co‑op, internship, senior design project, Formula SAE, Baja SAE, vehicle systems project, or similar hands‑on experience is strongly preferred. Lighting‑specific experience is not required, but the candidate should be eager to learn product development, component design, validation, release processes, and supplier collaboration.

This role is structured for an engineer who can build technical depth over time with coaching and hands‑on program experience. The right candidate will bring curiosity, accountability, strong communication, and the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to real‑world automotive design challenges.

What you'll do...

• Systems Engineering for Exterior Lighting
• Generate and execute technical solutions for Exterior Lighting components to support new vehicle programs
• Support engineering evaluation, problem solving, and data analysis for exterior lighting components
• Learn how vehicle, regulatory, appearance, optical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality requirements are translated into exterior lighting designs
• Develop preliminary CAD design proposals, package studies, section reviews, and conceptual CAD models with guidance from experienced engineers
• Work cross‑functionally to implement cost savings, product improvements, and to support prototype and production build activities
• Support supplier technical discussions, design reviews, CAD/data reviews, issue resolution, and launch readiness activities
• Balance attributes such as cost, weight, complexity, and timing
• Production release of Exterior Lighting systems, subsystems, components, and features
• Support validation readiness through DFMEA, DVP&R, inspection/testing review, functional assessments, and corrective action tracking
• Core requirement and technology development
• Communicate information to and from internal and external organizations
• Lead team meetings (suppliers, designers, engineers, manufacturing, supplier quality, etc.)
• Travel as required (including international)

You'll have...

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or related field
• 0–2 years of engineering experience, with interest in automotive product development
• CAD design skills for preliminary design work, package studies, section development, or similar engineering design activities
• Automotive background through a co‑op, internship, Formula SAE, Baja SAE, senior design project, or other hands‑on vehicle‑related experience
• Basic understanding of engineering design, testing, problem solving, and documentation
• Ability to work with suppliers and cross‑functional teams with coaching and guidance
• Strong communication, ownership, curiosity, and willingness to learn in a fast‑paced engineering environment
• Self‑starter who can work independently, seek guidance when needed, and follow through on assigned responsibilities
• Ability to apply engineering fundamentals to design tradeoffs and technical issue resolution

Even better, if you have …

Preferred

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, or Software Engineering
• Master’s Degree or other Advanced Degree
• Exposure to exterior lighting, vehicle hardware, body systems, electrical systems, or similar automotive components
• Familiarity with Design For Six Sigma process
• Experience with DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis), GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing), and ISO standards
• Experience with CATIA, Teamcenter/TCE, 3DX, WERS, FEDEBOM, or similar CAD, release, or BOM management systems
• Knowledge of plastic materials, plastic injection molding, optics, basic electrical/electronic circuitry, software, lamp manufacturing processes, tooling, fixture design and product validation
• Interest in learning exterior lighting attributes such as photometry, lit appearance, condensation, thermal management, electronics/software interfaces, aiming, serviceability, craftsmanship, and perceived quality
• Knowledge of global lighting regulations
• Experience supporting prototype builds, lab testing, vehicle teardown, manufacturing exposure, supplier visits, or other hands‑on engineering activities
• Participation in Formula SAE, Baja SAE, EcoCAR, solar car, robotics, or other technical team‑based engineering projects

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp‑up programs, subsidized back‑up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a salary grade 5‑8 and ranges from $65,100 - $166,200.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.