CMF Industrial Designer

CMF Industrial Designer

• Foster City, CA 94404 (ONSITE)
• $78/hr plus Benefits
• 6 month contract

Continuum Recruiting is helping our client find a CMF Industrial Designer to support the development and execution of Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) strategies across cross-functional teams.

In this role, you’ll partner with cross-functional teams and suppliers to ensure CMF concepts are executed accurately and efficiently. You’ll provide hands-on coordination, manage timelines, and proactively resolve issues to maintain alignment and uphold high-quality standards throughout development.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented, and highly organized, with strong project management skills and the ability to drive work forward independently. You’re comfortable collaborating across teams, managing multiple priorities, and identifying opportunities to improve processes.

As a CMF Industrial Designer, you'll:

• Support early-stage CMF development, collaborating with designers and suppliers to ensure alignment with design intent.
• Manage CMF master samples, including tracking, organizing, and maintaining inventory and distribution systems.
• Identify process gaps, flag discrepancies, and implement solutions to keep projects on track.
• Partner with design, engineering, and leadership teams to ensure alignment on timelines, expectations, and deliverables.
• Evaluate CMF data and contribute to best practices that improve development efficiency and quality.
• Maintain clear communication on project status, risks, and progress across stakeholders.

Who You Are:

Hands-on, detail-oriented, and proactive in identifying areas for improvement. Highly organized with strong project management skills to handle multiple tasks efficiently. Skilled at building relationships with internal teams and external suppliers. Comfortable taking the initiative, troubleshooting issues, and driving solutions independently.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in CMF Design, Industrial Design, Engineering, Design Quality, Product Development, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience with exceptional ability.
• 4-6 years of experience in automotive CMF, program management, or coordination, with a strong understanding of industry-specific materials, finishes, and processes. High color acuity—demonstrated ability to accurately assess and differentiate colors, with the capability to pass the Munsell Hue Color Test with a score.
• Hands-on expertise in CMF development, including material evaluations, supplier coordination, and mastering processes.
• Proactive problem solver—highly motivated with the ability to identify gaps, take initiative, and drive solutions to ensure seamless project execution.
• Deep knowledge of CMF development timing and the color matching/mastering process, ensuring accuracy and consistency in production.
• Excellent communication and organization skills—strong ability to manage and maintain relationships with external suppliers and internal cross-functional teams.
• Project management proficiency—experience coordinating complex projects, tracking deliverables, and ensuring alignment across departments.
• Ability to work autonomously while keeping stakeholders informed, making independent decisions, and driving projects forward.
• Meticulous attention to detail—keen eye for material quality, color accuracy, texture, and overall aesthetics. Passion for CMF innovation—eager to explore emerging materials, finishes, and industry trends to elevate design standards.

Pay: $78.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have with automotive CMF?
• Have you passed the Munsell Hue Color Test and with what score?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Foster City, CA 94404 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $78