Senior Engineer – Automotive Interiors

Job Description – Engineer / Senior Engineer – Automotive Interiors

Job Title: Engineering & IT – Design Engineer 5

Location: Arizona or Michigan

Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite

Employment Type: W2-Contract

Travel: Potential future travel

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Automotive Interior Components & Systems Engineer / Senior Engineer to join a world-class vehicle engineering team. The ideal candidate will have 4 years of experience leading the development of automotive interior components and systems, with strong expertise in hard trim, soft trim, instrument panels, door trims, consoles, headliners, and related systems.

This role will contribute to the packaging, engineering, CAD development, release, and vehicle launch of premium interior components. The engineer will work closely with design, vehicle engineering, marketing, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to deliver products that meet high standards for luxury, craftsmanship, performance, safety, ergonomics, and functionality.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of automotive interior components and systems from concept through production.
• Support packaging, engineering, release, validation, and launch activities across the vehicle portfolio.
• Develop interior components that meet requirements for luxury, craftsmanship, performance, safety, ergonomics, and functionality.
• Collaborate with vehicle engineering, industrial design, marketing, manufacturing, and other cross-functional teams.
• Work closely with interior trim suppliers to ensure technical quality, cost, and on-time delivery.
• Create and maintain technical product specifications, engineering requirements, and development timelines.
• Support accelerated development programs through SOP (Start of Production).
• Use CAD tools for 2D/3D concepts, packaging layouts, component design, and DFM studies.
• Evaluate industry benchmarks, emerging trends, materials, technologies, and supplier capabilities.
• Support design reviews, engineering changes, product releases, and manufacturing readiness.
• Apply innovative engineering tools and approaches to improve product development.
• Resolve technical issues through hands-on engineering analysis and collaboration with suppliers and internal teams.
• Contribute to vehicle and product launch activities.

Required Qualifications

• 4 years of experience as an Interior Components and Systems Development Engineer/Lead.
• Strong experience with automotive interior systems such as:
• Hard trim
• Soft trim
• Instrument panels (IP)
• Door trims
• Center consoles
• Headliners
• Related interior components
• Strong understanding of automotive interior benchmarks, trends, technologies, and supplier capabilities.
• Experience developing and improving technical product specifications and engineering timelines.
• Experience supporting accelerated product development toward SOP.
• Proficiency in 2D/3D CAD for concept development, packaging, component design, and DFM studies.
• CATIA V5/V6 preferred.
• Experience with vehicle/product launches.
• Strong technical problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment.
• Must be local to Arizona or Michigan and able to work onsite.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Preferred / Advantageous Qualifications

• Experience completing a full automotive program cycle from concept through production launch.
• Strong knowledge of complete vehicle interior systems and proven technical/program execution experience.
• Knowledge of plastic part design and structural performance.
• Understanding of manufacturing technologies and interior craftsmanship.
• Knowledge of ergonomics, safety, and homologation requirements.
• Experience with materials selection, plastic injection molding, DFM, and GD&T.
• Startup or high-growth automotive environment experience.
• Practical, hands-on engineering approach.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong interest in developing premium, innovative automotive products.

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in:
• Mechanical Engineering
• Automotive Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering