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 Responsibilities:

Core 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