Exterior Lighting Design Release Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Exterior Lighting Engineer

Job Description

The Exterior Lighting Engineer serves as a Design Release Engineer responsible for coordinating design analysis and product development activities for advanced exterior lighting components and product lines. This role focuses on exterior lighting hardware and associated plastic injection molded parts, driving the release of new components, resolving design deficiencies, maintaining cost controls, and providing clear technical direction to support personnel. The engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and customers while actively engaging with emerging technologies and engineering best practices.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate design analysis and product development activities for advanced exterior lighting components and product lines.
• Lead the design release process for exterior lighting hardware, ensuring accurate and timely release of new components.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align exterior lighting designs with overall vehicle systems and program requirements.
• Work closely with suppliers to develop, validate, and industrialize plastic injection molded parts and related components.
• Resolve design deficiencies by identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, and updating design documentation.
• Maintain cost controls by supporting cost-effective design decisions, monitoring cost targets, and proposing value improvements.
• Provide technical direction and guidance to support personnel involved in design, testing, and release activities.
• Engage with customers to understand requirements, address issues, and ensure that exterior lighting solutions meet performance and quality expectations.
• Apply engineering theory, principles of design, and common understanding of materials to create robust and manufacturable lighting components.
• Create and interpret sketches and engineering drawings to communicate design intent and support product development.
• Participate in program management activities, including planning, tracking, and reporting on design release milestones.
• Prepare and deliver written and oral communications, including presentations and meeting materials, to internal and external stakeholders.
• Partner with management to analyze complex issues and develop effective engineering and program solutions.
• Handle multiple assignments concurrently, managing priorities and deadlines across various projects.
• Utilize digital tools and data management systems, such as Teamcenter, to manage design data, documentation, and release workflows.

Essential Skills

• Experience in design release engineering, particularly for exterior lighting components and systems.
• Proficiency in new product development processes, from concept through production release.
• Strong experience in mechanical engineering principles as applied to product engineering and development.
• Hands-on experience with exterior lighting hardware and associated systems.
• Knowledge and experience with plastic injection molding and plastic component design.
• Familiarity with Teamcenter or similar product lifecycle management (PLM) systems for design data and release management.
• Program management experience supporting engineering deliverables and milestones.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency with email communication tools for professional correspondence.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively cross-functionally and cross-culturally.
• Strong written and oral communication skills suitable for meetings and presentations.
• Ability to work well with others and demonstrate effective teamwork skills.
• Ability to partner with management to analyze and solve technical and program issues.
• Ability to multitask and manage diverse assignments concurrently.
• Strong ability to create sketches and engineering drawings and apply a solid understanding of materials, engineering theory, and principles of design.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in an automotive or similar environment.
• Experience in mechanical engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience in product engineering for exterior lighting and plastic components.
• Exposure to global or cross-cultural teams and projects.
• Interest in working at the intersection of design, technology, safety, and brand identity.
• Motivation to stay current with new technologies and engineering best practices in exterior lighting.

Work Environment

The role operates in a hybrid remote work environment, combining remote work with occasional on-site visits for parts inspection and design reviews. The position involves regular collaboration with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and customers through digital communication tools and in-person meetings when needed. The work centers around advanced exterior lighting technologies, mechanical design, and plastic injection molded components, supported by modern engineering software and product lifecycle management systems. The environment encourages innovation at the intersection of design, technology, safety, and brand identity, offering the opportunity to see your engineering work implemented in real-world vehicles and on the road.

This is a Contract position based out of Warren, MI.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $55.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Warren,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 27, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.