Lead Engineer Exteriors

Are you enthusiastic about working on the next (re)evolution occurring in vehicle-integrated photovoltaics? Are you passionate about exterior systems, creative problem solving, learning, and working closely together in a driven team?

Join us on our mission!

About Lightyear

Working at Lightyear is a unique experience. You get the opportunity to work for a company with a pure and meaningful mission—a mission that will make a positive and lasting impact on future generations.

Lightyear develops next-generation solar charging systems that seamlessly integrate into vehicles from OEM partners. To make this possible, we’re looking for a Lead Engineer Exteriors with a strong background in closures, body exterior systems, lightweight structures, and automotive development. With a team of engineers, you’ll translate OEM requirements, packaging constraints, and integration opportunities into robust exterior-mounted solar system solutions.

What will you do as a Lead Engineer Exteriors?

As Lead Engineer Exteriors, you will be responsible for the mechanical and structural integration of solar technology into the outer “skin” of OEM vehicles, including closures (hood, tailgate), exterior body panels, and supporting structures. You bridge the world of automotive exterior engineering with the emerging domain of solar energy integration, playing an important role in the approach of the solar charging systems with future production in mind.

Your job will focus on, but is not limited to:

• Lead and support all engineering activities required to integrate Lightyear’s solar charging systems into OEM vehicles, from PV cell-level design decisions to full exterior panel integration.
• Provide technical leadership across exterior systems, including structures, closures, and the seamless integration of PV panels into vehicle exteriors.
• Review and validate exterior component designs as well as test plans and validation strategies for PV panels to ensure system performance and reliability.
• Evaluate concept feasibility and perform early architecture trade-offs with OEM partners.
• Conduct layout reviews to ensure safe, durable, and manufacturable designs.
• Apply a systems-engineering mindset to align solar, electrical, thermal, and mechanical requirements.
• Utilize DFM, DFA, FMEA, and lightweight design principles to ensure high-quality, cost-effective solutions.
• Collaborate with suppliers, external manufacturing partners, and OEM engineering teams.
• Continuously explore technologies and materials that advance efficiency, structural integrity, and integration potential.

What do we expect from a Lead Engineer Exteriors?

In order to succeed in the dynamic world of Lightyear, pro-activity, professionalism, communication, and adaptability are crucial. We are looking for someone with an ambitious attitude who learns from the past but is especially open to transforming new developments or ideas into the ‘tried and tested’ of the future!

Who You Are

You are an exterior/closures engineer with solid automotive experience and you’re excited to apply that expertise to build something new: integrated solar charging systems for global OEMs.

You bring:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive, or similar.
• 5–10 years of experience in automotive exterior systems (closures highly preferred).
• Experience integrating mechanical systems into exterior panels, closures, or structural components.
• Extensive FEM and mechanical simulation capabilities.
• Strong understanding of composites, lightweight structures, low-volume manufacturing, 3D printing, and sheet metal.
• Experience working from concept through production with OEMs or Tier-1 suppliers.
• Strong communication skills.
• A pragmatic, hands-on mindset and the ability to make decisions under changing requirements.

Your Personality

• You enjoy working with multidisciplinary teams: Mechanical, solar, electrical, thermal, industrialization, etc.
• You’re comfortable in a fast-moving environment where multiple technologies evolve in parallel.
• You’re able to turn abstract system requirements into concrete, manufacturable designs.
• You welcome feedback, challenge assumptions, and work collaboratively with OEM partners.
• You’re mission-driven, creative, and not afraid to push boundaries.

What can you expect from Lightyear?

• A high degree of freedom and independence in your role
• A role within a multidisciplinary team consisting of highly motivated, inquisitive, and talented people with a broad diversity of experience
• Participation in a good pension scheme
• 40 vacation days per year (based on a 40 hour contract)