Advanced Vehicle Development Engineer – Lighting, Design and Release

General Motors

. Define early lighting scope, trim content, carryover and new content, technology strategy, supplier options, competitiveness, and engineering criteria .

Posted 10/21/2026full-timeWarren • Michigan • United StatesSeniorLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in automotive exterior lighting, encompassing design release, cost estimation, and supplier evaluation. Proficient in balancing technical requirements with design intent and program targets while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Automotive Exterior LightingCost EstimationSupplier EvaluationLighting TechnologyCross-Functional Collaboration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Mechanical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringOptical EngineeringVehicle EngineeringDesign ReleaseAdvanced DevelopmentCost ProposalsTechnical ReviewsRegulatory ComplianceManufacturing Processes

Soft Skills

Strong Written CommunicationStrong Verbal CommunicationNegotiation SkillsIndependent WorkDecision-Making

Tools & Technologies

Cost-Estimating ToolsPurchasing AnalyticsBenchmarking ToolsDatabasesTemplates

Industry Keywords

RFQ ActivitySupplier CapabilityOpticsPower ConsumptionPackaging

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define early lighting scope, trim content, carryover and new content, technology strategy, supplier options, competitiveness, and engineering criteria
Partner with Studio, Design, Brand Leads, and lighting designers through sketch, clay, theme, and surface development
Assess feasibility, appearance, optics, photometry, packaging, electronics, power, thermal performance, manufacturability, cost, and regulatory considerations
Develop engineering alternatives that preserve design intent while meeting program targets
Build lighting cost and content models
Lead content walks, design-to-cost proposals, cost approval forums, and tradeoff discussions
Support SOR development, RFQs, supplier quote reviews, negotiations, sourcing decisions, and final quote comparisons
Evaluate supplier technology, capability, performance, tooling, cost, and timing
Support post-sourcing activities and handoff to production DREs
Serve as an early liaison to Technical Specialists and execution teams
Improve program execution through cost-estimating tools, purchasing analytics, benchmarking, calculators, templates, databases, and lessons learned
Share knowledge across programs, regions, AVD, DRE, Finance, Purchasing, and engineering teams

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, optical, automotive, or related engineering discipline
Typically seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in automotive exterior lighting, vehicle engineering, design release, advanced development, or a related field
Experience with exterior lighting concepts, content approval, RFQ activity, technical reviews, sourcing, or comparable vehicle development processes
Strong understanding of lighting technology, optical performance, electronics, power consumption, packaging, supplier capabilities, manufacturing, and applicable regulations
Experience developing cost and content proposals, design-to-cost alternatives, competitive benchmarks, or should-cost estimates
Ability to balance Studio intent, program targets, technical requirements, supplier capability, regulatory requirements, cost, and timing
Strong written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Ability to work independently, manage multiple programs, and make sound decisions with incomplete or changing information
Willingness to work directly with Studio, suppliers, Purchasing, program teams, and engineering organizations
Must not require GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future, including H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, or J-1 support

Benefits

Comp & perks

Benefits and Total Rewards resources available from day one
Workplace well-being support
Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities