Lead Exterior Lighting Engineer for Production Launch

RiseMe; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 74,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking an experienced Exterior Lighting Engineer to lead design and release from concept to production launch. You will manage lamp systems, CAD development, supplier execution, validation planning, and cross‑functional collaboration with optics, software, electrical, manufacturing and quality teams.

The role requires hands‑on CAD capability, strong ownership, and the ability to drive design convergence, assess risks early, and deliver robust exterior lighting solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Electrical or related field is required.
• 5+ years automotive exterior lighting engineering experience, including production-intent lamp systems.
• Demonstrated CAD design capability for preliminary design work and package studies.
• Experience leading exterior lighting development across program milestones.
• Experience with DFMEA, DVP&R, design reviews, RCA, and EC management.
• Ability to lead suppliers and cross-functional teams with clear communication and ownership.
• Ability to evaluate design tradeoffs using data-driven engineering judgment.
• Appropriate for an experienced-hire role with limited ramp-up time.

Responsibilities

• Lead exterior lighting systems from concept through production launch.
• Generate technical solutions for exterior lighting components to support new programs.
• Perform complex engineering evaluations and translate requirements into designs.
• Develop CAD proposals, package studies, and early design concepts.
• Lead supplier technical execution, including reviews and tooling readiness.
• Drive cost, weight, and timing tradeoffs while meeting regulatory targets.
• Ensure production release and validation readiness with DFMEA and DVP&R.
• Communicate across internal and external teams and lead cross-functional meetings.

Skills

CAD design capability

Cross-functional leadership

Supplier management

DFMEA & DVP&R

Program leadership

Data-driven decision making

Lighting systems expertise

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical/Electrical or related field

Tools

CATIA

Teamcenter/TCE

3DX / WERS

FEDEBOM

Job description

Ford Motor Company is seeking an experienced Exterior Lighting Engineer to lead design and release from concept to production launch. You will manage lamp systems, CAD development, supplier execution, validation planning, and cross‑functional collaboration with optics, software, electrical, manufacturing and quality teams.

The role requires hands‑on CAD capability, strong ownership, and the ability to drive design convergence, assess risks early, and deliver robust exterior lighting solutions