Exterior Lighting Product Engineer

HTC Global Services, Inc.; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and Workplace flexibility

Work-Life-Balance

Career development program

Rewards & Recognition

L&D focuses on upskilling

Job summary

HTC Global Services, Inc. is seeking an Exterior Lighting Product Engineer in a hybrid role based in Dearborn, MI.

The engineer will design, validate, and implement exterior lighting systems across headlamps, taillamps, CHMSL, and related components, coordinating with mechanical, electrical, software, and optical teams. You will perform CAD development in CATIA, apply optical and injection-molding knowledge, and manage design releases to meet program timelines while traveling to North American

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in design, development, or launch of automotive lighting or similar components.
• Experience with CATIA, 3DX, Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with CAE tools and software.
• Experience with benchmarking and CAD study support.

Responsibilities

• Support design, development, integration, and validation of exterior lighting systems.
• Perform lab diagnosis and root-cause analysis of lighting issues.
• Use CAD tools to develop lighting CAD and optical systems.
• Design optical systems for small lighting applications and support tooling development.
• Lead design reviews and participate in supplier engagements.
• Travel to supplier sites in North America as needed.

Skills

Automotive lighting experience

CAD software use

CAx/CAE tools

Root-cause analysis

Project management / multitask

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

3DX

Teamcenter

CAE software

Job description

Location: Dearborn (MI) | Employment Type: Full Time - 40 hours per week | Job Level: T3 | Work Preference: Hybrid | Job Code: 244917

Overview / Summary

The Exterior Lighting Product Engineer is a multidisciplinary technical role responsible for the design, development, integration, validation, and technical integrity of automotive exterior lighting systems. This position works across mechanical, electrical, software, and optical engineering disciplines and supports the development of exterior lighting components including headlamps, taillamps, center high-mounted stop lamps (CHMSL), fog lamps, license plate lamps, and other lighting systems.

The role involves CAD development, optical engineering, injection molding, laboratory diagnosis, design release activities, technical analysis, validation, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver robust and manufacturable lighting systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, integration, and validation of automotive exterior lighting systems and components.
• Perform hands‑on laboratory diagnosis and root‑cause analysis of lighting issues, including warranty‑related issues.
• Use laboratory equipment such as microscopes, multimeters, hand tools, and light power tools to inspect and test lighting components and electronics.
• Utilize CAD software such as CATIA V5 to develop lighting CAD, including concepts, fixtures, and small lamps.
• Design optical systems for small lighting applications.
• Apply injection molding and design‑for‑manufacturing knowledge when developing 3D CAD.
• Support the design and development of injection molds.
• Manage design and release activities to deliver and validate parts according to program timelines.
• Support part number generation, cost analysis, weight analysis, feasibility studies, and cross‑functional coordination.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to evaluate and validate lighting component system interfaces at the vehicle level.
• Perform and/or review technical analyses and functional and packaging studies, including dimensional stack‑ups, GD&T layouts, CAE analyses, dynamic calculations, and simulations.
• Review and sign off CAD in Teamcenter.
• Develop lighting system documents, including DFMEAs, SCCAFs, Boundary Diagrams, P‑Diagrams, and DVP&Rs.
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
• Develop Engineering Statements of Work (ESOW) and Engineering Concepts (EC).
• Participate in sourcing activities, including piece‑cost and tooling‑cost reviews.
• Identify required validation, durability, and functional testing.
• Address technical issues through root‑cause analysis, including 8D and 3x5 Why methodologies, and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Apply Six Sigma principles to engineering and problem‑solving activities.
• Collaborate with supplier technical teams and support supplier engagement activities.
• Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
• Actively participate in Technical Design Reviews.
• Manage multiple technical issues effectively and prioritize workload.
• Travel to supplier manufacturing and testing sites and manufacturing plants in North America when required.
• Work effectively in a fluid environment where vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location may not always be fully defined.
• Adapt to a variety of applications and technical issues as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in the design, development, or launch of automotive lighting or similar components.
• Experience with CAD tools such as CATIA, 3DX, and Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with CAE tools and software.
• Experience with benchmarking.
• Experience integrating and developing CAD studies to support design improvements.
• Experience with laboratory diagnosis, product development, electrical engineering, 3D modeling, optical engineering, and injection molding.
• Ability to account for manufacturability when developing 3D CAD.
• Ability to support design and release activities and deliver and validate parts according to program timelines.
• Ability to perform root‑cause analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to prioritize workload.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Azure SharePoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience.
• Experience in the design and release of exterior lighting.
• Software literacy and mechatronics experience.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis.
• Experience with 8D and 5 Why corrective action and problem‑solving methods.
• Experience with DFMEAs, PFMEAs, and SCCAFs.
• Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GD&T.
• Ability to solve complex system issues involving a variety of variables where limited standardization exists.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.

What Makes HTC A Great Place To Build Your Future

HTC Global Services wants you to join our team. Come build new things with us and advance your career. At HTC Global, you’ll collaborate with experts, work alongside clients, and be part of high‑performing teams driving success together. You’ll have long‑term opportunities to grow your career and develop skills in the latest emerging technologies.

At HTC Global Services, our employees have access to a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits can include Group Health (Medical, Dental, and Vision), Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, 401(k) matching, Group Life and Disability insurance, Professional Development opportunities, Wellness programs, and a variety of other perks.

Our success as a company is built on inclusion and diversity. HTC Global Services is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment, where every employee is treated with dignity and respect. We celebrate differences and believe that diverse cultures, perspectives, and skills drive innovation and success. HTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a proud National Minority Supplier. We seek to empower each individual, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, included, and respected.

At HTC Global Services, our culture is an embodiment of who we are – a value‑led organizationcommitted to success of our people and customers.

• Hybrid and Workplace flexibility
• Work‑Life‑Balance
• Well‑defined career development plan
• Rewards & Recognition program
• L&D focuses on upskilling
• Hands‑on experience on Emerging Technologies and Digital Transformation
• Career Mobility programs