Automotive Senior Exterior Components & Lighting Designer

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Contract

Technicon Design Sweden has an exciting opportunity for a designer to join an innovative automotive design team shaping the future of vehicle identity through cutting-edge exterior components and lighting design. We are seeking an experienced Senior Exterior Components & Lighting Designer to support the development of advanced and production vehicle programmes, creating distinctive lighting signatures and exterior design solutions that combine creativity, technology, and production feasibility.

About the Role

As a senior member of the Exterior Design team, you will play a key role in developing exterior components and automotive lighting systems from early concept generation through detailed digital development and production execution. You will help define vehicle character through innovative lighting solutions while ensuring designs remain technically feasible and production-ready.

This is an exciting opportunity for a designer who thrives at the intersection of creative design, emerging technology, and engineering collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Exterior Components & Lighting Design

• Develop innovative exterior component and lighting concepts for production and advanced vehicle programmes.
• Create front and rear lighting signatures, DRLs, lamp graphics, illuminated features, and exterior detailing.
• Design and refine components such as grilles, decorative trims, technology bands, and integrated exterior elements.
• Translate 2D concepts into compelling and accurately resolved 3D design solutions.
• Present design proposals and creative directions to senior stakeholders and project teams.
• Ensure consistency between component design, vehicle design intent, and overall brand identity.

Lighting Innovation & Technical Integration

• Explore and apply the latest automotive lighting technologies, including LED, Micro-LED, matrix lighting, projection systems, illuminated surfaces, and dynamic light graphics.
• Collaborate with lighting engineers and suppliers to create technically feasible yet visually distinctive solutions.
• Balance design ambitions with engineering, regulatory, packaging, cost, and manufacturing requirements.
• Support the integration of sensors, cameras, ADAS hardware, and other emerging technologies into exterior components.

Digital Development & Production Support

• Work closely with CAS, Alias, Blender, visualisation, and modelling teams.
• Guide 3D development and ensure high design quality throughout project milestones.
• Support design maturation through prototype reviews, physical models, and production development phases.
• Help maintain design intent throughout engineering and supplier implementation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with international design, engineering, and supplier teams.
• Participate in project reviews, workshops, and design presentations.
• Communicate design intent clearly across multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Support programme delivery in a fast-paced automotive development environment.

Requirements

Essential

• Minimum 5 years' experience in automotive exterior design.
• Proven experience in exterior components and/or automotive lighting design.
• Experience within an automotive OEM, advanced design studio, or recognised automotive consultancy.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exterior design excellence and design maturity.
• Experience developing concepts from ideation through production-oriented execution.
• Strong understanding of vehicle identity, lighting graphics, and exterior detailing.
• Experience working closely with engineers, digital modellers, and suppliers.
• Ability to make an immediate contribution within active vehicle programmes.

Highly Desirable

• Experience developing production automotive lighting systems.
• Direct experience working with lighting suppliers.
• Exposure to global automotive development programmes.
• Experience within premium, technology-focused, or highly differentiated vehicle brands.
• Knowledge of advanced illuminated exterior features and emerging lighting technologies.

Technical Skills

• Strong exterior design judgement including proportion, graphics, surfacing, and detailing.
• Excellent understanding of automotive lighting architecture and day/night vehicle identity.
• Ability to guide digital modelling development using Alias, Blender, and related tools.
• Understanding of component integration, manufacturing processes, materials, and feasibility.
• Awareness of emerging technologies within automotive lighting and exterior systems.
• Ability to create and communicate high-quality design proposals and visual presentations.

Software Experience

Experience with the following is advantageous:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Autodesk Alias
• Blender
• VRED
• KeyShot
• Vizcom
• AI-assisted design and visualisation tools

Personal Attributes

• Creative thinker with strong technical awareness.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
• Collaborative and solution-oriented approach.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to design excellence.
• Comfortable working within international and multicultural teams.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to work on future mobility projects where lighting, technology, and design innovation play a central role in shaping the next generation of vehicles. You will join a highly creative environment, influence vehicle identity, and contribute to industry-leading design solutions from concept to production.

Interested? Apply today with your CV and portfolio showcasing your exterior design and automotive lighting experience