Design Release Engineer – Exterior Lighting

GM•Warren, MI

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is categorized as hybrid, meaning the selected candidate will be expected to work on‑site at the Warren Tech Center at least three days per week (or other frequency determined by their manager). This role is not eligible for relocation assistance. At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features. Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale. The Exterior Lighting Design Release Engineer is responsible for the design, development, integration, and release of exterior lighting systems for GM vehicle programs, including EV and ICE platforms. This role supports concept development through production launch by defining performance requirements, leading packaging integration, managing design feasibility, and delivering robust, production-ready lighting solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
2+ years of engineering experience in exterior lighting, injection-molded plastic components, or related automotive systems.
Proficiency with NX and Teamcenter/Unigraphics.
Experience with vehicle integration, product development, design release, and engineering validation processes.
Knowledge of DFMEA, DVP&R, GD&T, BOM creation, and engineering documentation.
Strong project management, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive technical decisions independently.

Nice To Haves

Experience with exterior lighting regulations and global vehicle lighting requirements.
Experience working with global suppliers and supporting programs through production launch.
Knowledge of lighting electronics, optics, animations, and feature development.
Familiarity with MATLAB, Simulink, Abaqus, Python, or related engineering tools.
Advanced engineering degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and release of exterior lighting components and systems.
Collaborate with Styling, Electrical, Validation, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, and suppliers to develop and integrate lighting solutions.
Define and execute system performance requirements based on customer needs, benchmarking, regulations, and program objectives.
Develop and manage NX/Teamcenter math data, packaging studies, and vehicle integration activities.
Support design reviews, feature development, lighting animations, and system-level communications.
Lead issue resolution, engineering evaluations, and design tradeoff decisions involving performance, cost, mass, manufacturability, and timing.
Manage supplier engagement, validation activities, and launch readiness.
Create and maintain engineering documentation, including SORs, SOWs, ICDs, DFMEAs, DVP&R, drawings, and BOMs.
Support benchmarking, technology development, and continuous improvement initiatives.