Exterior Lighting Engineer

Ford Motor Company

. Perform systems engineering for exterior lighting .

Posted 10/28/2026full-timeDearborn • Michigan • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $86,600 - $166,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in exterior lighting engineering, including CAD design, DFMEA, and DVP&R processes, while effectively leading cross-functional teams and supplier collaborations to ensure compliance and production readiness.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Exterior Lighting Engineering ExperienceCAD Design CapabilityDFMEA and DVP&R ExpertiseSupplier Technical LeadershipCross-Functional Team Collaboration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

CAD DesignDFMEADVP&RDesign ReviewsRoot Cause AnalysisEngineering Change ManagementCost/Weight TradeoffsTechnical Solutions DevelopmentValidation ReadinessData-Driven Engineering Judgment

Soft Skills

Clear CommunicationTechnical OwnershipTiming Discipline

Tools & Technologies

CATIATeamcenter/TCE3DXWERSFEDEBOM

Industry Keywords

Automotive EngineeringExterior Lighting ComponentsGlobal Lighting RegulationsDesign For Six SigmaInjection MoldingOpticsElectrical/Electronic CircuitryLamp ManufacturingToolingProduct Validation

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

LAMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Perform systems engineering for exterior lighting
Generate and execute technical solutions for exterior lighting components supporting 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
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 cost, weight, complexity, and timing
Release exterior lighting systems, subsystems, components, and features for production
Drive validation readiness and compliance evidence through DFMEA, DVP&R, inspection/testing reviews, functional assessments, and corrective action closure
Develop core requirements and technology
Communicate with internal and external organizations
Lead meetings with suppliers, designers, engineers, manufacturing, and supplier quality teams
Travel as required, including internationally

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or related field
5+ 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
Appropriate for an experienced-hire role with limited ramp-up time required
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Visa sponsorship is not available
Preferred: direct experience with exterior lighting component design and release
Preferred: familiarity with Design For Six Sigma
Preferred: experience with DFMEA, GD&T, ISO standards, CATIA, Teamcenter/TCE, 3DX, WERS, FEDEBOM, or similar systems
Preferred: knowledge of plastic materials, injection molding, optics, electrical/electronic circuitry, software, lamp manufacturing, tooling, fixture design, and product validation
Preferred: knowledge of exterior lighting performance attributes and global lighting regulations
Preferred: experience supporting prototype builds, plant launch, PPAP, safe launch, warranty/quality investigations, supplier corrective actions, or production change management

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments
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
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