Senior Lead Engineer- VES

Responsibilities & Key Deliverables

'Product Ownership & Road mapping
- Lead the Lighting System's Engineering function for assigned vehicle platforms - Own lighting product strategy for assigned platform(s): technology roadmap (LED/micro‑LED, adaptive/matrix, projection, dynamic animations, light signatures), cost, weight, sustainability, and serviceability.
- Define system architecture (electro‑optical, thermal, mechanical, sealing, EMC/EMI, diagnostics) and interface control (CAN/LIN, power, thermal paths, package space, styling surfaces).
- Mentor the engineering team fostering innovation and accountability
Design & Development
- Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle for lighting systems – concept, design, validation, industrialization, and launch.
- Lead concept freeze, package studies, and feasibility with Styling/Vehicle Architecture.
- Direct detailed design (optics, PCB, heat sinks, lenses, housings, gaskets, vents, brackets) in CATIA, ensuring DfX (DfM/DfA/DfS), tolerance stack‑ups, VA/VE, and design robustness.
- Oversee photometry & other performance compliance; define target light distributions, performance margins, and derating strategies.
Validation & Homologation
- Ensure compliance with global automotive standards (AIS, ECE, SAE, FMVSS).
- Develop and execute DVP&R for environmental, optical, electrical, EMC/EMI, durability, corrosion, vibration, sealing, thermal and vehicle‑level integration (CAN/LIN comms, diagnostics).
- Ensure global regulatory compliance (e.g., UNECE, AIS/BIS, SAE/ISO etc.)
Quality & Risk
- Drive APQP/PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, Control Plan, and 8D resolution; ensure lessons learned reuse and robust problem prevention.
- Champion traceability for critical components (LED binning, lens material lots, PCB revisions).
Supplier & Sourcing Leadership
- Manage supplier partnerships to achieve cost, quality, and delivery targets.
- Manage Tier‑1/Tier‑2 suppliers; negotiate technology, cost, and timing; define SOW and acceptance criteria.
- Conduct design reviews, audits, and process capability checks; support tooling and gauge development.
Program & Cross‑Functional Leadership
- Own timelines, budgets, and BOM for lighting commodities; manage EBOM/MBOM alignment.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering for line readiness, PFMEA, jigs/fixtures, EOL testing.
- Interface with After‑Sales for service parts strategy, diagnostics, and repairability.
Innovation & IP
- Drive innovation in lighting technologies (LED, Light Projection, OLED, laser, adaptive Lighting, matrix Lighting, smart lighting).
- Incubate new features (Welcome/Goodbye animations, ADB/Matrix, logo projection, adaptive signatures, OTA‑capable diagnostics) and file patents/IP where applicable.
Sustainability & Compliance
- Embed recyclability and drive weight and cost reduction.

Experience

Total Experience: 12–15 years (minimum 7 years in automotive lighting systems; OEM/Tier‑1 mix preferred).
Proven track record in lighting systems development (headlamps, tail lamps, DRLs, interior lighting, adaptive lighting) 
Experience in OEM product lifecycle management (PLM) from concept to launch - ≥2 full vehicle programs through SOP.
Hands‑on with mechanical/optical/thermal/electrical design and vehicle integration.
Proven track record with APQP/PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, DVP&R, and homologation.
Vendor and supplier management experience, especially with Tier-1 lighting suppliers in India and global regions; tooling, injection moulding, and aluminium die casting for heat sinks.
Exposure to domestic and global automotive standards (AIS, ECE, ISO, SAE, FMVSS).
Advantage: Exposure to adaptive/matrix headlamps, LIN/CAN diagnostics, ISO 26262 and ASPICE for electronics/software components

Industry Preferred

Qualifications

BE / B.Tech / ME / M.Tech in ECE/EEE/E and I/Automobile Engineering

General Requirements

'Lighting Engineering
- Deep knowledge and expertise in lighting technologies: Halogen, LED, MFR, Light Guides, Light Blades, Projection systems, adaptive, matrix systems.
- Lighting Electronics: deep knowledge of driver circuits, control modules, sensors, microcontrollers, LED selection/binning, thermal derating, PCBs, ESD/EMI design and integration with vehicle electrical architecture (CAN/LIN/Ethernet communication, diagnostics, software calibration & EOL test strategies.).
- Knowledge of optical design -  reflector/projector, light guides, micro‑optics, photometry (luminous flux, intensity, distributions), glare control
- Knowledge of Thermal & Mechanical design : CFD for heat dissipation, heat sink design, material selection, sealing/venting, vibration and durability.
- Knowledge of Standards: AIS/BIS, UNECE & FMVSS/SAE standards.

Methods & Tools
- Familiarity in CAD tools: CATIA V5/V6; GD&T, tolerance analysis.
- Familiarity in CAE analysis tools: thermal simulation, basic optical simulation exposure (Ansys Speos, Lucid).
- Quality: DFMEA/PFMEA, PPAP, Control Plans.
- Program tools: PLM (Teamcenter, 3DX), requirements management, Jira/MS Project, dashboards.

Manufacturing & Industrialization
- Injection moulding (optical‑grade lenses, surface quality/flow), coating & metallization (aluminium vacuum metallization).
- Welding techniques - Laser welding, ultrasonic welding & Hotplate Welding. Sealing/venting processes, potting, conformal coating, PCB assembly.
- Assembly line design, EOL optical & leakage tests, poka‑yoke.

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