Design Engineer – Job Specification
Company Background The Lighting Consultants Limited (TLC) is a growing and innovative automotive lighting design and development specialist. Due to recent investment and continued project wins, we are expanding our design team with the addition of an experienced Design Engineer. This is an exciting time to join the business as we continue to deliver cutting-edge lighting solutions to major OEM and Tier 1 customers across Europe. We work in a fast-paced, high tech environment and pride ourselves on agility, creativity, and attention to detail. We are looking for a design professional who brings both experience and passion for innovation to help shape the future of our lighting systems.
Role Summary This is a full-time, office-based role at our Redditch facility, working as part of a highly skilled and collaborative team. You will be responsible for designing and developing electromechanical components and assemblies to customer specifications, ensuring seamless integration from concept to tooling release and production handover. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, and supporting Project Engineering where required, you will contribute across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring quality, manufacturability, and timing targets are met. This is a critical role at the heart of our technical delivery, where you will influence product architecture, materials, manufacturing methods, and design standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop lighting system components to customer data and internal specifications
• Deliver robust designs aligned with project timing, cost, and quality expectations
• Create and maintain 2D and 3D CAD models using CATIA V5 (including surfacing)
• Develop DFM/DFMA-compliant designs and work closely with suppliers to achieve tooling-ready parts
• Support and participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, and key design documentation (e.g., KDCs) * Generate 2D drawings compliant with ISO 128 and BS 8888 standards
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements for fit, finish, gap/flush, and functional performance
• Specify and validate material selection and fixing technologies (e.g., welding, gluing, clips, etc.)
• Work closely with suppliers to confirm manufacturing feasibility and emerging technology applications
• Attend and support customer and supplier meetings both onsite and offsite * Collaborate with project engineers to ensure seamless integration of design into project plans
• Maintain accurate documentation in line with ISO 9001 procedures
• Implement creative, practical, and cost-effective design solutions.

Drive all design activities to completion, ensuring part maturation through defined milestones

• Engage in continuous improvement and support problem-solving through structured techniques
• Maintain ownership of design BOM, issue management, and engineering release processes Experience & Qualifications Required * HND or Degree in Mechanical, Product, or Automotive Engineering
• 5–10 years’ experience in an OEM or Tier 1 supplier environment, ideally in lighting or electromechanical systems * Proven knowledge of plastic injection moulded component design and low- to medium volume manufacturing
• Proficient in CATIA V5 (Part Design, Generative Shape Design) and Microsoft Office tools
• Clear understanding of automotive development standards, including APQP and PPAP
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving, and documentation skills * Excellent verbal and written English communication skills
• UK and overseas travel availability as required
• Full, clean UK driving license Preferred:
• Automotive lighting experience, including knowledge of ECE and SAE regulations
• Automotive exterior or interior lighting experience
• Knowledge of ECE and SAE lighting regulations
• Understanding of thermodynamics, kinematics, and thermal management in LED systems
• Familiarity with PCBa integration, optical interfaces, and sealing solutions
• Experience in testing and validation of plastic and electronic components
• Experience with homologation, specification control, and NPI/release processes
• Understanding of DFMEA/PFMEA workflows and requirements
• Awareness of lean engineering principles and manufacturing technologies Personal Attributes

Technically curious, with a passion for product development and innovation * Highly organised, methodical, and results-driven

• Team player with strong interpersonal skills, able to work cross-functionally
• Self-motivated, with the ability to take ownership and drive design tasks through to delivery
• Confident in presenting design concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences * Able to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Job Details * Location: TLC HQ, 14 Madeley Road Industrial Estate, Redditch, B98 9NB * Working Hours: 37.5 hours/week o Mon–Thu: 08:30 – 17:00 o Fri: 08:30 – 14:00 * Salary: Competitive, based on experience and capabilities * Benefits: * 23 days holiday (rising to 28 with service) * 8 statutory holidays * Company pension scheme You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this position
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £27,556.01-£47,972.22 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension

Work Location: In perso

• Design and develop lighting system components to customer data and internal specifications
• Deliver robust designs aligned with project timing, cost, and quality expectations
• Create and maintain 2D and 3D CAD models using CATIA V5 (including surfacing)
• Develop DFM/DFMA-compliant designs and work closely with suppliers to achieve tooling-ready parts
• Support and participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, and key design documentation (e.g., KDCs) * Generate 2D drawings compliant with ISO 128 and BS 8888 standards
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements for fit, finish, gap/flush, and functional performance
• Specify and validate material selection and fixing technologies (e.g., welding, gluing, clips, etc.)
• Work closely with suppliers to confirm manufacturing feasibility and emerging technology applications
• Attend and support customer and supplier meetings both onsite and offsite * Collaborate with project engineers to ensure seamless integration of design into project plans
• Maintain accurate documentation in line with ISO 9001 procedures
• Implement creative, practical, and cost-effective design solutions