Staff Lighting Engineer

Staff Lighting Engineer

Foster City, CA

Vehicle Development - Vehicle Systems Engineering /

Full-time /

On-site

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As our Staff Engineer for Lighting, you will lead the development of our exterior and interior lighting systems. You will own everything from lamp assemblies and system controllers to their seamless integration into a brand-new vehicle architecture, directly advancing our mission to make cities safer, smarter, and more sustainable.

You will own these critical systems from initial concept straight through to the start of high-volume production. Operating in a lean, agile environment, you will serve as our technical expert, directing in-house engineering efforts and driving key relationships across our supplier network. If you are ready to leverage your engineering expertise and communication skills to disrupt a traditional industry, we want to hear from you!

In this role, you will:

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of the Vehicle Lighting System (exteriors, interior, display, and projection) for the Zoox Vehicle Program, defining sub-system requirements and specifications to achieve structure, mass, GD&T, functional safety and optical performance (FMVSS108)
• Lead cutting-edge lighting solutions by building proof-of-concept prototypes and driving rigorous feasibility reviews of the underlying EE and mechanical architectures
• Develop and present robust design by applying a combination of design advanced principles and generic design rule for automotive lighting industry, proactively identifying potential design failures, and recommend robust engineering countermeasures
• Drive the complete product lifecycle through critical build and validation milestones, owning design releases and vital technical documentation including DFMEAs and DVP&Rs
• Lead suppliers across both build-to-print and co-development initiatives to seamlessly transition complex lighting modules into production

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Optical, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, or a related field
• At least 10+ years of automotive engineering experience, with 5+ years specializing in Tier 1 or OEM lighting systems
• Proven success managing multiple concurrent projects through at least one complete program lifecycle
• Experience defining Sub-System Technical Specifications (SSTS) for vehicle lighting, ensuring strict compliance with SAE and ECE regulations
• Proficiency in design and optical tools (CATIA, Speos, PLM) with the ability to easily interpret technical schematics, mechanical drawings, and simulation reports.
• Solid understanding of high-volume manufacturing (Class-A injection molding, die casting, welding) paired with strong root cause analysis and issue management skills

$215,000 - $259,000 a year

Base Salary Range

There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.

Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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