Lead Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer

EDAG Group; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

EDAG Group seeks an Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer to own headlamps and exterior lighting systems from concept to SOP, coordinating with Studio, Body, E/E, and Manufacturing teams and managing CAD data, BOMs, and releases.

You will drive validation plans, ensure photometric compliance, and guide suppliers as the primary technical interface for launches and milestone tracking.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, 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)

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Lighting design experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Project ownership

Photometric validation

Education

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

Tools

Ansys SPEOS

Job description

EDAG Group seeks an Exterior Lighting Design & Release Engineer to own headlamps and exterior lighting systems from concept to SOP, coordinating with Studio, Body, E/E, and Manufacturing teams and managing CAD data, BOMs, and releases.

You will drive validation plans, ensure photometric compliance, and guide suppliers as the primary technical interface for launches and milestone tracking.