Senior Lead Engineer- VES
Chennai · Director
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Job description
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.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, caste, race, religion, color, ethnic origin, gender identity, nationality, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, educational background, marital or domestic partnership status, pregnancy or childbirth, veteran status, citizenship status, ancestry, financial status, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.
We actively encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and bring their unique perspectives to our teams. We are committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive experience for all applicants.
Together, we rise by embracing differences and building a future that reflects the communities we serve.
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