Automotive Lighting Engineer

United States
Full Time
Experienced
SWJ Technologie specializes in providing engineering, planning, and project management services across various industries. We are currently seeking an Automotive Lighting Engineer for an assigned project with a client in the automotive industry. The role is based in Novi, MI or Charlotte NC and requires onsite presence and 20% travel. If you are eager to grow your career and make a meaningful impact on exciting projects, we look forward to your application.

PURPOSE: 
The position is responsible for the development and integration of exterior and interior lighting systems for next-generation electric trucks and SUVs. It defines lighting standards, leads product development activities, and ensures robust system design, integration, and validation. The role collaborates cross-functionally with internal teams and suppliers to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and innovative lighting solutions aligned with performance, regulatory, and customer experience targets.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Define and develop lighting standards and ensure proper electrical and system integration within vehicle architectures
  • Lead RFQs, technical reviews, and supplier selection processes
  • Drive end-to-end product development including design, packaging, validation, and launch of lighting systems and accessories
  • Create and maintain product specifications, DVP&R, DFMEA, control plans, and quality requirements
  • Guide CAD/CAE activities (3D modeling, packaging, optics, FEA/CFD validation) to meet functional and regulatory targets
  • Ensure compliance with design rules, NVH, water management, and craftsmanship requirements
  • Manage component and subsystem requirements, interface definitions (ICDs), and technical documentation
  • Track program targets (cost, timing, weight, quality) and resolve issues cross-functionally
  • Lead design reviews, prototype builds, and validation activities (virtual and physical testing)
  • Ensure full requirements traceability and adequate validation coverage at component, system, and vehicle level
  • Collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to drive issue resolution and system integration
  • Stay up to date with industry trends, technologies, and customer expectations to drive innovation
  • Apply best practices such as Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Serviceability (DFS), and robust engineering principles
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Optical Engineering, or a related field
  • Equivalent practical experience in automotive product development may be considered
  • Background in vehicle systems, lighting technology, or product design is preferred
REQUIRED SKILLS:
  • Strong experience in automotive product development, preferably in lighting or body exterior systems
  • Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., CATIA V5/V6) and understanding of PLM systems (e.g., Teamcenter)
  • Solid knowledge of mechanical design principles, GD&T, material selection, and manufacturing processes
  • Experience with CAE tools or validation methods (optics, FEA, CFD)
  • Understanding of automotive development processes (DFMEA, DVP&R, validation, product launch)
  • Experience working with suppliers and managing technical interfaces
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to resolve complex technical challenges
  • Experience with prototype builds, testing, and production ramp-up
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills in cross-functional environments
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced development environment
PREFERD SKILLS:
  • Experience with Volkswagen
  • Willingness to travel globally
  • participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Work is normally performed in an office, laboratory, manufacturing floor, or machine shop setting where physical work includes, but is not limited to sitting, standing, reaching, kneeling, bending, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
  • Must be able to understand and comply with all relevant safety practices.

FLSA STATUS/WORKING SCHEDULE:
  • Location: Charlotte, NC
  • Schedule: Full Time/ 40 hours per week
  • Travel: travel globally as required
  • Overtime: as required
  • Assignment Start: ca. June 2026 - December 2030
  • Duration: up to 4.5 years

DISCLAIMER:
This job description is a high-level overview of general expectations of this position. It is not intended to list every responsibility of the position, nor does it represent an employment contract of any kind.
 


 

SWJ TECHNOLOGY and all of its subsidiaries (i.e., NGE EQUIPMENT and ProjectOne US) are Equal Opportunity Employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Share

Apply for this position

Required*
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume or Paste resume
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status


Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Human Check*