Engineering - Senior Optical Engineer

Grote Industries • Madison, IN

17h

About The Position

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.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees