STDesign Release Engineer – Exterior & Interior Lighting
BS-level Product Development roles on Crosslinked list a median of $118k (216 that show pay). This posting does not list pay.
Own design, integration and launch of automotive exterior and interior lighting assemblies
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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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