Lighting Designer

Job Description

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

In this position...

The role of Lighting Designer involves the design and development of both interior and exterior lighting systems for current and future customers of the Ford brands product line up.

The Lighting Designer is an automotive designer, expert in the field of lighting design that Reports to and takes direction from a Chief Designer and participates in the development of innovative and visually appealing lighting solutions that meet the functional and regulatory requirements of the automotive industry.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...

Leverage your creative, strategic, and analytical thinking skills to push the boundaries of lighting design, exploring innovative solutions that challenge the status quo.

Develop future vehicle design proposals by collaborating with design and cross-functional teams to create initial lighting concepts supported by high-quality models, imagery, and animations that facilitate informed design decision-making.

Actively contribute to developing new processes that advance innovation for both product and process within advanced lighting design, collaborating effectively with DTO partners to ensure cutting-edge developments.

Promote a transformational mindset across functions with PD partners, working together to implement new processes that position Ford as a leader in lighting technology.

Support and engage in challenging on-demand studies that are critical to the business, using your expertise to address complex issues and explore new opportunities in lighting design.

Collaborate closely with departments such as engineering, suppliers, and manufacturing to ensure lighting designs are both feasible and true to design intent. This includes negotiating criteria with engineering partners to achieve a harmonious balance between design aspirations and practical implementation.

Qualifications

You'll have...

A portfolio demonstrating your work within automotive lighting design

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or Automotive Design degree.

6+ years Automotive or Transportation Design experience, including extensive experience specific to lighting conceptual design and final product execution.  

High proficiency in CAD, and Visualization software, (such as Alias, Catia, Vred or SPEOS) with ability to produce highly accurate lighting images, and animations.

Even better, you may have...

Masters degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or automotive design degree.

Additional Bachelors or Masters degree in engineering on top of the Bachelor's degree in Design

10+ years Automotive or Transportation Design experience, including extensive experience specific to lighting conceptual design and final product execution.

Deep understanding of automotive lighting requirements, manufacturing process and optics.  

Experienced in critical evaluation of lighting simulations and CAD models with ability to propose solutions.

Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams, to provide strong technical support, as well as aesthetic judgment.

Awareness global automotive lighting technology and consumer electronic trends to ensure Ford competes with the ability to lead.  

Must have exceptional design intuition, strong problem-solving skills and a superior ability to visually communicate through sketches, and renderings.

Ability to think three-dimensionally with a strong emphasis on proportions and a refined sense of form also required.

Familiarizes self and maintains interest with design trends within and across design professions and global cultures (automotive, fashion, architectural, etc.)

Outstanding teamwork, visual, written, and verbal communication skills

Passionate about automotive and mobility industry, global trends, and innovation

Experience of working in or with creative cultures

Experience of working in large, corporate environments

Experience of managing multiple stakeholders across complex projects

Experience of presenting to executive audiences