STDesign Release Engineer – Exterior & Interior Lighting
BS-level Product Development roles on Crosslinked list a median of $118k (200 that show pay). This posting does not list pay.
Own design, integration and launch of automotive exterior and interior lighting assemblies
Worth knowing
Why it is interesting. Full component ownership across optical, thermal and mechanical integration with direct Tier-1 supplier management
Might not be for you. Design-release and APQP paperwork heavy; materials work is limited to specifying molded and coated plastic parts
The materials angleplastic injection molding/hard-coating; e-coatings; lenses, reflectors, light pipes
H-1B filings
SEGULA Technologies filed 37 H-1B labor applications for scientist and engineer roles from Jan to Dec 2025.
Most common titles: Supplier Quality Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Dre “ Biw Upper Body. Median filed pay: $88K a year.
From U.S. Department of Labor disclosure data. A filing is a record of past hiring, not a promise about this role, so confirm sponsorship with the employer. Titles and filed pay ·Every employer's filings
- Seniority
- Mid-level
- Work
- On-site
- Type
- Full-time
- Degree
- BS
- Industry
- Automotive
- Role
- Product Development
Role details
The Design Release Engineer (DRE) – Automotive Lighting leads the engineering design, development, integration, and production launch of exterior (headlamps, taillamps, CHMSLs, side markers) and interior (ambient lighting, overhead consoles, accent lights) illumination systems.
Core Responsibilities
- Component Ownership: Manage the complete product lifecycle of lighting assemblies from initial concept through prototype builds to Start of Production (SOP).
- Technical & Optical Integration: Lead optical, thermal, electrical, and mechanical integration. Maintain compliance with Class-A styling surfaces while integrating LEDs, light pipes, lenses, reflectors, and electronic control units (ECUs).
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Design Studio to preserve styling intent, Thermal/FEA engineers to ensure heat dissipation and structural integrity, and Packaging teams to resolve spatial constraints.
- Supplier Management: Direct Tier-1 lighting suppliers through the APQP process, maintaining strict adherence to cost, mass, timing, and quality targets.
- Validation & Compliance: Execute the Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R). Ensure full compliance with global lighting regulations (FMVSS 108, ECE, GB standards).
- Quality & Problem Solving: Author DFMEAs, define GD&T requirements, and lead root-cause analysis (8D, 5-Why) for testing failures, seal leaks (ingress/condensation), and dimensional variations.
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
- CAD Systems: Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 or Siemens NX for surface analysis, packaging, and clearance validation.
- Lighting Technology: Hands-on experience with LED modules, light guides, micro-optics, matrix beam technologies, thermal management, e-coatings, and plastic injection molding/hard-coating.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Working knowledge of FMVSS 108, ECE, SAE, and environmental testing protocols (vibration, thermal shock, IP67/IP69K ingress protection).
- Engineering Tools: Proficiency in DFMEA, GD&T, DVP&R, PPAP, APQP, and BOM management.
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