Product development framework and innovation roadmap - BC-1011
Project type: InnovationDesired discipline(s): Engineering - computer / electrical, Engineering, Engineering - mechanical, Operations research, Mathematical Sciences
Company: RJ Cross Architectural Products Ltd.
Project Length: 6 months to 1 year
Preferred start date: 05/04/2026
Language requirement: English
Location(s): Langley, BC, Canada
No. of positions: 1
Desired education level: Master'sPhDPostdoctoral fellow
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: No
About the company:
Diffusion Lighting, part of RJ Cross Architectural Products, is a Canadian-owned architectural lighting manufacturer based in Langley, British Columbia. For more than a decade the company has developed and supplied high-performance architectural linear LED lighting systems used in commercial, institutional, hospitality, and high-end residential environments across Canada. Diffusion Lighting products are specified on projects where lighting plays a central role in the architectural experience of a space. The company works closely with lighting designers, architects, electrical engineers, contractors, and electrical distributors to deliver lighting systems that combine strong optical performance, aesthetic integration, and reliable electrical operation. The company’s core offering consists of modular linear LED lighting systems that integrate optical control, aluminum extrusion housings, LED boards, drivers and controls, and architectural finishes. These systems are frequently used in applications such as cove lighting, wall grazing, feature illumination, and integrated architectural lighting details.
Describe the project.:
This project establishes a comprehensive framework to strengthen Diffusion Lighting’s long-term innovation capabilities through three interconnected objectives: the creation of a structured product development framework, the launch of a pioneering angled linear lighting product, and the development of a technological innovation roadmap.
- Product Development & QA Framework
The first phase focuses on building a repeatable Product Development and QA Framework. This internal framework formalizes the process from initial concept to commercial availability. By integrating vendor evaluation, standardized engineering validation, and rigorous QA/QC protocols. This system ensures that all new products meet high performance standards while improving manufacturing efficiency. It further aligns commercial launch activities, including pricing strategies and distributor training, with internal operational readiness including SKU creation and and assembly workflows.
- Application: Angled Linear Lighting
The second phase applies this new system to the development of an angled linear lighting product. This innovation addresses a critical market need for controlled, directional light within a linear architectural format, allowing designers to highlight specific surfaces and features rather than relying on standard perpendicular emission. The project involves intensive research into lens geometries, optical control strategies, and mechanical integration within extrusion housings. Prototypes will undergo rigorous testing to optimize beam distribution and thermal management before moving to a full-scale commercial launch.
- Future Technical Innovation Roadmap
The final phase involves the creation of an Innovation Roadmap. By conducting a comprehensive technology scan of the LED ecosystem and exploring advancements such as smart lighting, miniaturization, Human-centric lighting, etc … the intern will identify five high-potential product platforms for future development
Required expertise/skills:
We are looking for an intern who can balance the engineering precision with the practical and hands-on approach to product development and management.
1.Technical Expertise: The ideal candidate should have a background in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, with a specific interest in Optical Physics or LED technology. The intern should understand the fundamentals of thermal management, electrical circuitry (drivers/PCBs), and be familiar with photometric testing standards to help validate our angled linear prototypes.
2.Process & Systems Thinking: The intern will be building a structured product development framework, therefore skills in Engineering pr Operations Research are an asset. The intern should understand the fundamentals of Quality Assurance and should be able to document repeatable workflows, from vendor qualification to SKU creation.
3.Strategic & Analytical Skills: The position requires an ability for researching market trends. Strong technical writing and market research capabilities are vital for synthesizing complex data into an innovation roadmap and bridging the gap between technical trends and a practical product strategy.
