Lighting Optical Engineer

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Tuition assistance

Vehicle discount program

Family care days

Paid time off and holidays

Employee resource groups

Job summary

Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI, is seeking an Interior Lighting – Product Design Engineer with a strong optical focus. You will guide interior lighting designs from concept through validation, release, and launch, collaborating with Design Studio, D&R Engineers, and CAD teams globally.

The role requires a BS in engineering (optical) and 3+ years of interior lighting experience, with Catia V5 and SPEOS expertise. This position is hybrid, offering robust benefits and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years designing and developing interior lighting systems.
• Demonstrated Program Management from kick-off to post Job#1.
• Clear understanding of in-house interior lighting design and release processes.
• Knowledge of lighting targets, tooling feasibility, material analysis, DFMEA, DVPR.
• Catia V5 proficiency including surfaces/solids.
• Experience with optical development and lighting systems.
• Knowledge of SPEOS optical CAE software.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate body interior lighting systems.
• Support all engineering phases from concept to production release.
• Collaborate with Design Studio, D&R Engineers, and CAD teams worldwide.
• Develop 3D CAD models and optical simulations meeting requirements.
• Use Catia V5 and SPEOS to optimize designs.
• Ensure designs meet tooling and manufacturing feasibility.
• Support validation through Ford DV processes and resolve issues.
• Assist SDS, Design Rules, DFMEA development and maintenance.

Skills

Program management

Communication

Team leadership

Optical engineering

Interior lighting design

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Optical Engineering

Tools

Catia V5

Speos

SPEOS optical CAE

Teamcenter Engineering

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

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...

Ford Motor Company is seeking an Interior Lighting – Product Design Engineer with a strong optical engineering focus to join our Product Design team in Dearborn, MI. This is a professional engineering role that applies optical design and simulation expertise to develop body interior lighting systems, guiding designs from concept through optical validation, production release, and launch.

What You'll Do...

• Professional position utilizing engineering education and experience to design and simulate body interior lighting systems.
• Will be responsible for supporting all phases of engineering from design concept to production release.
• Will work with Design Studio, D&R Engineers, and CAD designers globally to develop 3D CAD models and optical simulations which meet appearance and functional requirements.
• Will utilize design tools such as Catia V5 and Speos, to develop efficient designs which meet customer expectations.
• Will ensure designs meet tooling and manufacturing feasibility.
• Will support validation of designs through the Ford DV process, resolving all issues in a timely manner.
• Will provide design support /issue resolution of all launch issues associated with interior lighting.
• Will provide support for SDS, Design rules, and DFMEA development and maintenance.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience designing and developing interior lighting systems.
• Demonstrated Program Management skills from kick off to post Job#1
• Clear understanding of Design and Release task/process for in house designed interior lighting systems or applicable electrical component development.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Overhead/Cargo and Ambient Lighting attribute targets, package and tooling feasibility, material analysis, Design Rules, SDS requirements, DFMEA, FMA, and DVPR.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Catia V5 including surface and solids development.
• Functional knowledge of Teamcenter Engineering and EBOM structure including searching for parts, saving and freezing items.
• Experience in optical development and lighting systems
• Comprehensive understanding of SPEOS optical CAE software.
• Demonstrated capability of working with designers for in-house designed interior lighting.
• Knowledge of interior lighting cost drivers.
• Excellent communication, team building, and leadership skills

Even better, if you have …

Preferred

• Masters in Engineering desired
• Injection Mold and Electronics manufacturing experience preferred.
• Understanding of GPDS and related deliverables.
• Comprehensive knowledge of interior lighting validation process and pass/fail criteria including cycle and material testing.
• Working knowledge of interior trim subsystems and vehicle electrical architecture (including EDS, connectors, wiring attachment methodology, etc)

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 7-8 and ranges from $84,600 - $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.

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