Ford Motor Company

Lighting Optical Engineer

Ford Motor Company$84K — $166K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Minimum three years of experience in designing and developing interior lighting systems.
  • Demonstrated program management skills throughout project lifecycle.
  • Strong understanding of Design and Release processes for interior lighting systems.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of lighting design requirements including overhead and ambient lighting targets.
  • Proficient in Catia V5 for both surface and solid modeling.
  • Familiarity with Teamcenter Engineering and EBOM structures.

Responsibilities

  • Utilize engineering expertise to design and simulate vehicle interior lighting systems.
  • Support all engineering phases from initial design to production release.
  • Collaborate with global teams to develop 3D CAD models and optical simulations.
  • Employ design tools like Catia V5 and Speos to create efficient designs.
  • Ensure designs are feasible for tooling and manufacturing.
  • Validate designs through the Ford DV process, resolving issues promptly.
  • Assist in resolving issues during the launch of interior lighting products.

Benefits

  • Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
  • Flexible family care options and paid parental leave.
  • Vehicle discount programs for employees and family members.
  • Tuition assistance for further education.
  • Generous paid time off for community service and holidays, including a full week during Christmas.
Full Job Description
Job Description

In this position...

Ford Motor Company is seeking an Interior Lighting - Product Design Engineer with a strong optical engineering focus to join our Product Design team in Dearborn, MI. This is a professional engineering role that applies optical design and simulation expertise to develop body interior lighting systems, guiding designs from concept through optical validation, production release, and launch.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...
  • Professional position utilizing engineering education and experience to design and simulate body interior lighting systems.
  • Will be responsible for supporting all phases of engineering from design concept to production release.
  • Will work with Design Studio, D&R Engineers, and CAD designers globally to develop 3D CAD models and optical simulations which meet appearance and functional requirements.
  • Will utilize design tools such as Catia V5 and Speos, to develop efficient designs which meet customer expectations.
  • Will ensure designs meet tooling and manufacturing feasibility.
  • Will support validation of designs through the Ford DV process, resolving all issues in a timely manner.
  • Will provide design support /issue resolution of all launch issues associated with interior lighting.
  • Will provide support for SDS, Design rules, and DFMEA development and maintenance.


Qualifications

You'll have...

Minimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Science in engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience designing and developing interior lighting systems.
  • Demonstrated Program Management skills from kick off to post Job#1
  • Clear understanding of Design and Release task/process for in house designed interior lighting systems or applicable electrical component development.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of Overhead/Cargo and Ambient Lighting attribute targets, package and tooling feasibility, material analysis, Design Rules, SDS requirements, DFMEA, FMA, and DVPR.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of Catia V5 including surface and solids development.
  • Functional knowledge of Teamcenter Engineering and EBOM structure including searching for parts, saving and freezing items.
  • Experience in optical development and lighting systems
  • Comprehensive understanding of SPEOS optical CAE software.
  • Demonstrated capability of working with designers for in-house designed interior lighting.
  • Knowledge of interior lighting cost drivers.
  • Excellent communication, team building, and leadership skills


Even better, if you have ...

Preferred
  • Masters in Engineering desired
  • Injection Mold and Electronics manufacturing experience preferred.
  • Understanding of GPDS and related deliverables.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of interior lighting validation process and pass/fail criteria including cycle and material testing.
  • Working knowledge of interior trim subsystems and vehicle electrical architecture (including EDS, connectors, wiring attachment methodology, etc)


You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
• 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 and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a salary grade 7-8 and ranges from $84,600 - $166,200.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.

#LI-Hybrid

#VehicleHardwareEngineering

#LI-JT1

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company manufactures or distributes automobiles in addition to offering financial services. The company sells to dealerships for retail sales, and for sale to fleet customers, including commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. Ford’s vehicle portfolio includes automobiles, buses, tractors, and trucks. Retail financing includes retail installment sale contracts for new and used vehicles, and direct financing leases for new vehicles to retail customers, government entities, daily rental car companies, and fleet customers. Finance receivables in the non-consumer portfolio include products offered to automotive dealers. Ford’s environmental initiatives include compressed natural gas, flexible fuel vehicles, electric drive vehicles, Hydrogen, PC power management, and so on. Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903 and is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford Motor Company Careers

Join the dynamic team at Ford Motor Company, a global leader in automotive innovation and manufacturing. At Ford, we are committed to driving human progress by providing outstanding vehicles and mobility solutions. This is an exciting time to become part of our inclusive team, where job opportunities abound and growth is not just a possibility, but a promise.

Work You’ll Do

At Ford Motor Company, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our professionals are at the forefront of automotive technology, leading projects that redefine transportation and sustainability. With a culture rooted in continuous improvement and respect for all, Ford offers a workplace where leadership, diversity training, and innovation are part of everyday life.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

Ford’s commitment to excellence is why we are a leader in the automotive sector. We offer a variety of career paths, from engineering to marketing, all designed to foster professional and personal growth. Our team benefits from Ford’s commitment to professional development and networking opportunities, ensuring that every team member can reach their full potential.

Innovative Work

Engage in work that makes a difference. Ford Motor Company is pioneering developments in electrification, autonomous vehicles, and smart mobility solutions. Our team of over 190,000 employees worldwide is dedicated to crafting experiences that improve the way the world moves.

Be Part of a Great Team

Working at Ford means more than just having a job; it means being part of a global family. Our culture promotes teamwork, integrity, and respect—values that underpin everything we do. We believe in nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment where every employee can thrive.

Future-Proof Your Career

Ford Motor Company is not just a great place to work; it’s a place to build a lasting career. Our employees enjoy competitive benefits, comprehensive health care, and retirement plans that rank among the best in the industry. We support career advancement through extensive training programs and hands-on experience in the latest automotive technologies.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a student interested in an internship, Ford has opportunities that will harness your skills and ignite your ambition. Our hiring process is straightforward and respectful, designed to match your skills and passions with the right position.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Ready to start your journey with Ford? Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that’s building the future of transportation.

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Learn more about Ford Motor Company
Size
183,000 employees
Market Cap
$44.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$1.2 billion
Founded
1903
5 Year Trend
-2.1%
Revenue
$127.1 billion
NASDAQ

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