Senior Exterior Components & Lighting Designer
We’re looking for a Senior Exterior Components & Lighting Designer for a global automotive company in Gothenburg. Start is November 2nd, 6 months limited contract to begin with. This role is 100% onsite in Gothenburg. We're looking for a Senior Exterior Components & Lighting Designer for a global automotive company in Gothenburg. You will join an innovative Exterior Experience Design team responsible for developing exterior components and lighting solutions that enhance vehicle identity, user experience, and brand differentiation. Key Responsibilities Exterior Components & Lighting Design Develop exterior component and lighting concepts for production and advanced vehicle programs.
Design front and rear lighting signatures, DRLs, position lamps, illuminated elements, grilles, trims, and decorative features.
Create day and night vehicle identities aligned with brand DNA.
Explore component architecture, graphics, proportions, materials, transparency, and perceived quality.
Transform 2D concepts into high-quality 3D solutions.
Refine designs through reviews and program milestones.
Present proposals to stakeholders and management.
Lighting Innovation & Technology Create concepts using LED, micro-LED, matrix, pixel lighting, projection systems, and illuminated surfaces.
Understand optical architecture, packaging, electronics, thermal management, and materials.
Collaborate with engineering teams and suppliers.
Ensure compliance with regulatory, manufacturing, cost, and feasibility requirements.
Support integration of sensors, cameras, ADAS hardware, and emerging technologies.
Digital Development & Production Work with CAS, Alias, Blender, visualization, and physical modelling teams.
Guide and review 3D development of exterior components and lighting systems.
Support design intent through prototype, validation, and production phases.
Evaluate digital and physical models for quality, surfacing, graphics, and optical appearance.
Maintain design integrity through engineering development and supplier implementation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Participate in design reviews with international stakeholders.
Collaborate with Design, Engineering, Vehicle Architecture, Product Management, Manufacturing, and Suppliers.
Communicate design intent across multidisciplinary teams.
Balance creative ambition with technical and business requirements.
Travel internationally when required.
Required Qualifications Minimum 5 years of automotive exterior design experience.
Proven experience in exterior components and/or automotive lighting design.
Background within automotive OEMs, design studios, or consultancies.
Experience delivering production and/or advanced vehicle programs.
Strong portfolio demonstrating exterior component and lighting expertise.
Good understanding of automotive lighting, vehicle identity, and design development.
Experience working with engineers, digital modellers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications Experience developing production automotive lighting systems.
Experience working with lighting suppliers.
Experience supporting China-Europe vehicle programs.
Experience within global or multi-brand automotive organizations.
Background from premium or technology-focused automotive brands.
Experience developing illuminated exterior features beyond traditional headlamps and taillamps.
Design & Technical Skills Strong design judgment with understanding of proportion, graphics, surfacing, detailing, and perceived quality.
Deep knowledge of design development from concept to production.
Understanding of lighting architecture, materials, manufacturing methods, and emerging technologies.
Experience directing CAS, Alias, Blender, and digital modelling activities.
Ability to balance creativity with engineering, cost, homologation, and production requirements.
Understanding of sensor, camera, ADAS, and future mobility integration.
Collaboration & Communication Ability to work independently at senior level.
Strong leadership and mentoring skills.
Excellent written and verbal English.
Structured, proactive, collaborative, and solution-oriented mindset.
Comfortable in international and multicultural environments.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
Software Experience Experience with the following is an advantage: Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator
Autodesk Alias
Blender
VRED / KeyShot
Vizcom and other AI-assisted design and visualization tools
Reporting Structure Reporting to the Head of Exterior Design , working closely with: Chief Designers
Exterior & Component Designers
Lighting Design & Engineering Teams
Studio Engineering & Vehicle Architecture Teams
CAS, Alias, Blender, Visualization & Physical Modelling Teams
Product & Program Management
Component & Lighting Suppliers
International Engineering & Design Teams
Senior Design Leadership and Project Stakeholders
Fluency in English is required. This is a full-time consultant position through Incluso in Gothenburg. Start date is November 2 , with an initial 6-month contract . The role is 100% onsite . Please submit your CV as soon as possible, as applications are reviewed continuously. For more information, please contact Marianne Nilsson, Recruiter at Incluso .