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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Exterior Lighting Enigneer - **Company:** Actalent - **Location:** Warren, MI, United States - **Salary:** $87,360.0 - $99,840.0 - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Computer-Aided Design, Systems Engineering, Computer Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application (CATIA), Design Studio, Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Rapid Prototyping Process, Systems Integration, Siemens NX, Cts+ - **Published:** August 6, 2026 - **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/67FC8618B7E74ACBB8D05059E52371B9/job/ ## About the Role * Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. * Experience in automotive product development, design engineering, systems engineering, or design release engineering. * Strong understanding of automotive exterior lighting systems and vehicle development processes. * Ability to read, interpret, and create engineering drawings and technical specifications. * Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and engineering drawing standards. * Experience utilizing CAD software such as CATIA, NX (Unigraphics), or equivalent. * Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills. * Excellent verbal and written communication skills. * Ability to manage multiple priorities and effectively lead cross-functional teams., * Experience with headlamps, tail lamps, signal lighting, DRLs, illuminated exterior features, or lighting electronics. * Knowledge of LED, OLED, matrix lighting, adaptive lighting systems, and lighting control modules. * Experience with automotive regulatory requirements including FMVSS 108, ECE, and other global lighting standards. * Experience with DFMEA, APQP, PPAP, DRBFM, DRBTR, and automotive validation processes. * Understanding of optical design, lens materials, thermal management, and lighting system integration. * Knowledge of GM Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP) or similar automotive development processes. * Familiarity with Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and Design for Assembly (DFA). Skills & Competencies * Strong ownership mentality and ability to independently manage component execution. * Excellent program management and organizational skills. * Strong technical problem-solving and root cause investigation abilities. * Ability to influence stakeholders and drive decisions across a matrixed organization. * Effective communication and presentation skills. * Detail-oriented with sound engineering judgment. * Ability to work effectively with global teams and suppliers. * Capability to thrive in a fast-paced product development environment while managing competing priorities. ## Description We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Design Release Engineer (DRE) - Exterior Lighting to support the development and launch of future vehicle programs involving headlamps, tail lamps, daytime running lamps (DRLs), fog lamps, signal lighting, illuminated grilles, and associated lighting components and systems. The Design Release Engineer serves as the primary owner of assigned lighting components throughout the entire product development lifecycle, from concept and design through validation, production launch, and warranty support. Acting as the "CEO" of the assigned parts, the DRE is responsible for balancing quality, performance, timing, cost, weight, manufacturability, regulatory compliance, and supplier execution while ensuring successful program delivery. This role requires strong engineering fundamentals, program management expertise, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to drive issue resolution across multiple organizations. Key ResponsibilitiesProduct Development & Design Release * Lead the design, development, validation, release, and launch of exterior lighting systems and components. * Own component execution from concept through production, service, and warranty phases. * Develop and maintain engineering drawings, component technical specifications (CTS), Statements of Requirements (SOR), and Bills of Material (BOM). * Ensure lighting designs meet styling, functional, optical performance, safety, regulatory, manufacturing, quality, and cost requirements. * Collaborate with Design Studio, Vehicle Integration, CAE, Manufacturing Engineering, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, and Validation teams to deliver robust lighting systems. * Execute engineering changes and manage release activities through established change management processes. Program Management * Serve as the single-point owner for assigned lighting components and drive execution against program milestones. * Develop, manage, and communicate detailed timing plans to ensure successful program delivery. * Lead program reviews and communicate technical status, risks, and mitigation plans to leadership and stakeholders. * Coordinate prototype builds, validation hardware, tooling readiness, and launch activities. * Identify and resolve issues that impact quality, performance, cost, weight, or timing. * Drive cross-functional decision-making and issue resolution across internal organizations and supplier partners. Lighting Performance, Validation & Compliance * Lead development activities to ensure compliance with global lighting regulations and vehicle safety requirements. * Support optical performance targets including visibility, illumination, photometric requirements, appearance, and durability. * Conduct and support Design Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (DFMEA), Design Reviews Based on Failure Modes (DRBFM), and Design Reviews Based on Test Results (DRBTR). * Track validation plans and testing activities, ensuring all design requirements are verified before production. * Investigate field issues and warranty concerns and lead root cause analysis and corrective action implementation. * Utilize lessons learned and continuous improvement processes to enhance future designs and customer satisfaction. Supplier & Manufacturing Management * Partner with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to achieve design, quality, cost, and timing objectives. * Support sourcing activities, supplier technical reviews, and component development plans. * Ensure designs support Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles. * Collaborate with manufacturing facilities to support tooling, build events, launch readiness, and production issue resolution. * Support feasibility reviews and ensure successful integration of lighting systems into vehicle architectures. * Drive supplier accountability for quality, timing, validation, and deliverables throughout the program lifecycle., This role will be evaluated based on: * Successful design, validation, and launch of assigned lighting systems. * Achievement of program timing, quality, cost, and performance targets. * Warranty and field performance of released components. * Compliance with global regulatory and safety requirements. * Supplier performance and issue resolution effectiveness. * Cross-functional leadership and collaboration. * Continuous improvement contributions that enhance customer satisfaction and business results. ## Related Videos - [What AI Can, Can’t, and Shouldn’t do for Games](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/997-what-ai-can-can-t-and-shouldn-t-do-for-games) - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [How to achieve web automation with UiPath](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/310-how-to-achieve-web-automation-with-uipath) - [Agile work at CARIAD – Creating a customer web application for controlling the vehicle ](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/200-agile-work-at-cariad-creating-a-customer-web-application-for-controlling-the-vehicle) - [Car's are Technology on Wheels - Impact of Software and IT Competence in Automotive](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/780-car-s-are-technology-on-wheels-impact-of-software-and-it-competence-in-automotive) - [DataForce Studio](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1657-dataforce-studio) ## Related Articles - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [Top Characteristics of a Software Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/166-top-characteristics-of-a-software-engineer) - [How Engineering Hubs Build Visibility at Developer Conferences like WeAreDevelopers World Congress](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/720-how-engineering-hubs-build-visibility-at-developer-conferences-like-wearedevelopers-world-congress) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [From developer to manager – what does it take to become an engineering manager?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/42-from-developer-to-manager-what-does-it-take-to-become-an-engineering-manager) - [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers)