Staff Lead Engineer for Interior Lighting

Description
The Role:
The Staff Lead Engineer for Interior Lighting provides senior technical and execution leadership across vehicle programs, supporting the development and integration of ambient, functional, accent, dynamic, and illuminated interior lighting systems. The role connects mechanical hardware, electrical hardware, optics, software, validation, supplier execution, and vehicle integration to ensure lighting solutions meet customer, quality, timing, cost, and technical requirements.
This position serves as a key technical resource for Interior Lighting DREs and cross-functional teams, providing mentorship, resolving complex engineering issues, driving robust engineering processes, and helping translate Interior Lighting strategy into successful program execution.
What You'll Do (Responsibilities):

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to Interior Lighting DREs, helping engineers work through complex technical issues, GDVP, releasing, SOR development, recovery plans, ECRs, TALC activities, peer reviews, DFMEA/DRBFM, and program execution.
• Lead cross-functional resolution of complex Interior Lighting issues involving optics, mechanical design, electronics, software, materials, manufacturing, validation, and vehicle integration. Drive structured problem solving and support teams in developing containment, root cause, corrective action, and validation plans.
• Drive Interior Lighting quality and launch execution through PRTS governance and technical escalation. Lead regular PRTS reviews, support DREs through root-cause and solution development, participate in follow-up technical reviews, identify escalation needs, and promote lessons learned/read-across across programs.
• Support system-level integration of Interior Lighting across adjacent commodities and vehicle systems, including instrument panel, floor console, doors, decorative trim, electrical architecture, HMI, choreography, and software. Provide technical direction on packaging, lighting performance, integration requirements, and supplier design responsibility.
• Drive continuous improvement, technical capability, and business execution by improving engineering processes and timing plans, supporting DFSS activity, capturing lessons learned, contributing to BOM/technology strategy, addressing supplier and resiliency considerations, and identifying opportunities to improve cost, complexity, profitability, and product execution.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of engineering experience in automotive product development, electrical/electronic systems, lighting, interiors, or related product engineering.
• Working knowledge of several areas relevant to Interior Lighting, including:
  • Optics and illumination systems
  • Plastics, light pipes, lenses, decorative or illuminated materials
  • Electronic hardware and PCBAs
  • Manufacturing, tooling, and assembly processes
  • Product validation and root-cause analysis
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and provide technical direction without relying on direct authority, while building alignment among engineering, suppliers, purchasing, manufacturing, quality, validation, studio, and program teams.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills with the ability to move between detailed technical issues and broader program or customer implications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate technical risks, recommendations, and decisions to engineering teams and leadership.
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, collaboration, and ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-moving program environments.

What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• Experience specifically in automotive Interior Lighting, ambient lighting, dynamic lighting, or illuminated interior components.
• Experience working across optical, mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines on an integrated customer-facing feature.
• Experience with dynamic RGB lighting, vehicle choreography, software-defined vehicle architecture, LIN-based devices, electronic lighting modules, or related technologies.
• Experience leading technical reviews, developing engineering best practices, implementing process improvements, and mentoring or developing other engineers.
• DFSS Master Black Belt training/certification is highly desirable.

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