Exterior Lighiting Design Release Engineer

The Exterior Lighting Engineer role is intended for an experienced automotive lighting Design & Release engineer who can independently lead exterior lighting systems from early concept through production launch. The role requires deep working knowledge of lamp design, CAD/package development, requirements cascade, supplier execution, validation planning, tooling readiness, production release, and launch issue resolution. This engineer will lead cross-functional execution with lighting suppliers, optics, studio, software, electrical, purchasing, manufacturing, supplier technical assistance, and quality teams while balancing performance, craftsmanship, cost, weight, timing, and regulatory compliance.

Our ideal candidate is an experienced, hands-on exterior lighting engineer who can quickly contribute with limited ramp-up time. This candidate should be comfortable developing preliminary CAD concepts, assessing design feasibility, driving supplier design convergence, identifying risks early, and making sound engineering decisions across mechanical, optical, electrical, software, manufacturing, validation, and quality interfaces. The candidate must demonstrate strong ownership, technical judgment, communication, and program leadership skills.

This role is intended for an experienced engineer who can contribute quickly in a Design & Release environment. The right candidate will bring practical exterior lighting experience, strong technical ownership, and the ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.

What You'll Do...

• Systems Engineering for Exterior Lighting
• Generate and execute technical solutions for Exterior Lighting components to support new vehicle programs
• Perform complex engineering evaluation analysis
• Translate vehicle, regulatory, appearance, optical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality requirements into robust exterior lighting component designs
• Develop preliminary CAD design proposals, package studies, section reviews, design-in-context assessments, and conceptual CAD models to support early design development
• Work cross-functionally to implement cost savings, product improvements, and support prototype and production build activities
• Lead supplier technical execution, including design reviews, CAD/data reviews, tooling readiness, issue resolution, cost/weight tradeoffs, and launch support
• Balance attributes such as cost, weight, complexity, and timing
• Production release of Exterior Lighting systems, subsystems, components, and features
• Drive validation readiness and evidence of compliance through DFMEA, DVP&R, inspection/testing review, functional assessments, and corrective action closure
• Core requirement and technology development
• Communicate information to and from internal and external organizations
• Lead team meetings (suppliers, designers, engineers, manufacturing, supplier quality, etc.)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or related field
• 3+ years of professional automotive exterior lighting engineering experience, including direct responsibility for production-intent lamp systems, components, or features.
• Demonstrated CAD design capability for preliminary design work, package studies, section development, etc.
• Experience leading exterior lighting development across key program milestones.
• Experience with DFMEA, DVP&R, design reviews, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and engineering change management
• Ability to lead suppliers and cross-functional teams with clear communication, technical ownership, and timing discipline
• Ability to evaluate design tradeoffs and resolve technical issues using data-driven engineering judgment

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $50.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in DEARBORN,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 15, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.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.