Exterior Hardware DRE

Design Release Engineer - Exterior LightingPosition Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Design Release Engineer (DRE) - Exterior Lighting to support the development and launch of future vehicle programs involving headlamps, tail lamps, daytime running lamps (DRLs), fog lamps, signal lighting, illuminated grilles, and associated lighting components and systems.

The Design Release Engineer serves as the primary owner of assigned lighting components throughout the entire product development lifecycle, from concept and design through validation, production launch, and warranty support. Acting as the "CEO" of the assigned parts, the DRE is responsible for balancing quality, performance, timing, cost, weight, manufacturability, regulatory compliance, and supplier execution while ensuring successful program delivery. This role requires strong engineering fundamentals, program management expertise, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to drive issue resolution across multiple organizations.

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Key ResponsibilitiesProduct Development & Design Release

• Lead the design, development, validation, release, and launch of exterior lighting systems and components.
• Own component execution from concept through production, service, and warranty phases.
• Develop and maintain engineering drawings, component technical specifications (CTS), Statements of Requirements (SOR), and Bills of Material (BOM).
• Ensure lighting designs meet styling, functional, optical performance, safety, regulatory, manufacturing, quality, and cost requirements.
• Collaborate with Design Studio, Vehicle Integration, CAE, Manufacturing Engineering, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, and Validation teams to deliver robust lighting systems.
• Execute engineering changes and manage release activities through established change management processes.

Program Management

• Serve as the single-point owner for assigned lighting components and drive execution against program milestones.
• Develop, manage, and communicate detailed timing plans to ensure successful program delivery.
• Lead program reviews and communicate technical status, risks, and mitigation plans to leadership and stakeholders.
• Coordinate prototype builds, validation hardware, tooling readiness, and launch activities.
• Identify and resolve issues that impact quality, performance, cost, weight, or timing.
• Drive cross-functional decision-making and issue resolution across internal organizations and supplier partners.

Lighting Performance, Validation & Compliance

• Lead development activities to ensure compliance with global lighting regulations and vehicle safety requirements.
• Support optical performance targets including visibility, illumination, photometric requirements, appearance, and durability.
• Conduct and support Design Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (DFMEA), Design Reviews Based on Failure Modes (DRBFM), and Design Reviews Based on Test Results (DRBTR).
• Track validation plans and testing activities, ensuring all design requirements are verified before production.
• Investigate field issues and warranty concerns and lead root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Utilize lessons learned and continuous improvement processes to enhance future designs and customer satisfaction.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Warren, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $42.00 - $48.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Warren,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.