Product Development Engineer – Exterior Lighting

Ford Motor Company

Ford exterior lighting engineer designing and validating vehicle lighting systems. Leading suppliers and cross-functional teams through production launch.

Posted 8/13/2026full-timeDearborn • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $86,600 - $166,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in systems engineering for Exterior Lighting, with a strong focus on CAD design, product release management, and compliance with global lighting regulations. Capable of leading cross-functional teams to implement design improvements and cost-saving measures.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Systems Engineering for Exterior LightingCAD Design and ModelingProduct Release ManagementDFMEA and GD&T KnowledgeGlobal Lighting Regulations Familiarity

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

CAD DesignEngineering Evaluation AnalysisMass Attribute AnalysisSupplier Data IntegrationDesign for Six SigmaPlastic Injection Molding KnowledgeOptics KnowledgeBasic Electrical/Electronic CircuitryTooling and Fixture DesignProduct Validation

Soft Skills

Cross-Functional CollaborationEffective CommunicationMeeting Leadership

Industry Keywords

Automotive ExperienceLighting ApplicationsISO StandardsBOM StructuresExterior Lighting Component Engineering

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AssemblyLAMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Perform systems engineering for Exterior Lighting
Generate and execute technical solutions for Exterior Lighting components supporting new vehicle programs
Perform complex engineering evaluation analysis
Develop early CAD design proposals and full CAD models
Work cross-functionally to implement cost savings and product improvements
Support prototype and production build activities
Balance cost, weight, complexity, and timing attributes
Produce release documentation for Exterior Lighting systems, subsystems, components, and features
Develop core requirements and technologies
Communicate information between internal and external organizations
Lead meetings with suppliers, designers, engineers, manufacturing, and supplier quality teams
Travel as required, including internationally

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or a related field
2+ years of related automotive and/or lighting applications experience, including professional, co-op, and internship positions
Experience managing product release CAD and BOM structures
Experience with assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis
Ability to facilitate supplier data integration
Ability to develop CAD studies supporting design improvements
Preferred: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, or Software Engineering
Preferred: Master's degree or other advanced degree
Familiarity with exterior lighting component engineering design
Familiarity with Design for Six Sigma
Experience with DFMEA, GD&T, and ISO standards
Knowledge of plastic materials, plastic injection molding, optics, basic electrical/electronic circuitry, software, lamp manufacturing processes, tooling, fixture design, and product validation
Knowledge of global lighting regulations
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Visa sponsorship is not available

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days
Paid parental leave
New parent ramp-up programs
Subsidized back-up child care
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members
Management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
Generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
Paid time off
Option to purchase additional vacation time