Product Development Engineer (Optical)

The Product Development Engineer (Optical) independently executes multiple complex projects with a high degree of fidelity and in a timely manner, while strictly adhering to all corporate safety and quality protocols.
This self-directed professional will be required to lead both physical and virtual test validation regimens for various vehicle exterior lighting applications, collaborate with designated release engineers and supervise unionized technicians and/or trades personnel, when applicable.
Additionally, the role requires strong executive communication skills to synthesize and present complex optical data concisely to all levels of corporate management. The engineer responsible will also be required to manage laboratory operations by maintaining testing accuracy, overseeing asset readiness, coordinating equipment repairs, and advising on any required facility infrastructure investments.
Primary ResponsibilitiesCore Engineering & Optical Design:
Provide design and development expertise for both forward and rearward automotive lighting systems
Conduct engineering analyses and feasibility studies for new concepts
Develop lens and reflector surfaces to meet customer and regulatory requirements
Validate designs using internal and external optical ray-tracing software
Testing & Validation
Support all test requirements using a combination of physical and/or virtual validation methodologies
Lead functional photometric testing, including vehicle program night drive evaluations
Establish custom test procedures and build specialized apparatus, where no precedent exists, to gather and analyze data
Implement design modifications based on test results to resolve manufacturing and photometry issues
Support pre-production development and post-launch continuous verification of headlamp aim requirements for vehicle assembly plants, as required
Operations, Logistics & Safety
Manage data acquisition, analyze metrics, and prioritize workflows to meet vehicle program schedules
Support capital equipment planning, preventive maintenance schedules, and facility improvements
Coordinate logistics for parts, fixtures, vehicles and/or digital supplier data to support all physical and/or virtual laboratory testing activities
Monitor KPIs, generate management reports, and champion a rigorous safety culture through regular audits and root-cause analysis
Support SR&ED initiatives, where applicable
This position is for an existing vacancy.
The salary for this position is $90,000 - $120,000 per year.
FCA Canada Inc. is committed to providing accommodation for people with accessibility needs due to disabilities in all aspects of the hiring process. If you request an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs due to disability.
We may use AI to screen applicants.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Physics (Optics) or Mathematics from an accredited institution
Minimum THREE (3) years of overall engineering work experience
Minimum TWO (2) years of experience in optical design, validation techniques, test methodology development, including fixture design, instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis
Knowledge of photometric testing and corresponding certifications
Comfortable in a “hand-on” laboratory environment
Written and verbal communication and presentation skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
Strong leadership, project management, communication, and organizational skills
Must be legally authorized to work in Canada
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum THREE (3) years experience in optical design of exterior automotive lighting products
Working knowledge of LucidShape / LucidDrive, SCANeR and/or any other equivalent virtual tools lighting software
Working knowledge of MATLAB software
Working knowledge of Sapphire Technical Solutions optical test equipment and BeamScale software
Understanding of LED properties, selection, use, and testing
Understanding of thermal and/or electronic constraints of various exterior lighting technologies
Working knowledge of Teamcenter
Working knowledge of GD&T
Experience utilizing and designing for regulatory testing processes
DFSS Green Belt Certification
Master’s Degree
Experience with CAD tools
Familiarity with Stellantis systems (SEW, A109000, Teamcenter, PSAP, internal reporting tools)
Capital planning and project management experience
Lean / Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement certification
Additional Information
May require extended hours, weekend support, and occasional travel, as required
Compliance with all Stellantis safety and conduct standards is required
At Stellantis, we assess candidates based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We welcome applications from people of all gender identities, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation and disability. Diverse teams will allow us to better meet the evolving needs of our customers and care for our future.
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