Business Title: Senior Optical Engineer
Reports to: Senior Engineering Manager
Leadership Scope: Individual Contributor
Position Summary: The Senior Optical Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, and support of automotive headlamp and signal lamp systems for OEM customers in the heavy-duty market. This role leads optical design activities, supports cross-functional teams, and ensures products meet regulatory, customer, performance, durability, quality, manufacturing, and cost requirements while mentoring less-experienced engineers.
Position Duties: - Collaborate with project team members to develop new or improved headlamp and signal lamp designs that meet regulatory, customer, performance, durability, quality, manufacturing, and cost targets.
- Design and simulate optical systems using LEDs, molded lenses, and molded/metallized reflectors.
- Perform and/or coordinate testing and validation of lamps and components using goniometers, integrating spheres, spectroradiometers, and related equipment.
- Research, interpret, and apply relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards including FMVSS 108, UN Regulations (R148-R150), and SAE Lighting Systems Group standards.
- Develop, improve, and document design, simulation, and testing standards related to lamp mechanical and optical design.
- Partner with Manufacturing and Quality teams to troubleshoot and resolve manufacturing process and quality control issues.
- Work with Purchasing to source components, validate suppliers, and ensure purchased components meet design specifications, industry standards, cost targets, and supply chain flexibility requirements.
- Support Sales in quoting new or revised business, including estimating part and capital costs and providing technical input for customer engagements.
- Mentor and guide other engineers and team members in quoting, design, manufacturing processes, validation, and best practices.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field (Master's degree preferred). Extensive experience in optical engineering design for automotive headlamps and/or signal lamps. Demonstrated experience with automotive lighting manufacturing processes including injection molding, plastic part assembly, and coatings.
