Design Release Engineer - Exterior Lighting

Position Summary

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 Responsibilities

Product 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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Success Measures

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.

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

The pay range for this position is $42.00 - $48.00/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 Aug 19, 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.

Salary : $42 - $48