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Automotive Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Stellantis

Creative Designer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

Stellantis offers designers unrivaled career opportunities in the center of automotive innovation. As our product evolves, so do our Designers. We are currently seeking Interior and Exterior Creative ...

Stream Companies

Graphic Designer

A Graphic Designer has a proven skill set with an understanding of how print amp; traditional ... New Automotive Incentive Work * Resizing Established Look for POP Items * CRM Emails * Resizing ...

Stream Companies

Graphic Designer

West Chester, PA · On-site

A Graphic Designer has a proven skill set with an understanding of how print & traditional design ... New Automotive Incentive Work * Resizing Established Look for POP Items * CRM Emails * Resizing ...

Faurecia

Principal Designer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

We are seeking a Principal Studio Designer to be a senior leader within our automotive design studio environment. This role is ideal for a designer who combines strong studio design leadership ...

Stellantis

Senior Creative Designer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$96K - $103K/yr

Stellantis offers designers unrivaled career opportunities in the center of automotive innovation. As our product evolves, so do our Designers. We are currently seeking Interior and Exterior Creative ...

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Automotive Designer information

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$50.5K

$73.4K

$91.5K

How much do automotive designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for automotive designer in the United States is $73,374.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,000.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges automotive designers face when balancing creativity with engineering constraints?

Automotive designers often encounter the challenge of blending innovative, visually striking concepts with practical engineering and safety requirements. While creativity is highly encouraged, every design must adhere to regulations, aerodynamics, manufacturability, and budget constraints. Effective collaboration with engineers, marketing teams, and production specialists is essential to ensure that the final vehicle is both aesthetically appealing and feasible to produce. Navigating these trade-offs is a key part of the role and can be both demanding and rewarding for designers who enjoy problem-solving in a team environment.

What does an automotive designer do?

An automotive designer is responsible for creating the visual appearance and functional design of vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. They combine artistic skills with engineering knowledge to develop concepts, sketches, and 3D models that reflect both style and practicality. Automotive designers work closely with engineers, marketers, and manufacturers to ensure their designs are feasible, safe, and appealing to consumers. Their work influences everything from the car's exterior shape to the details of the interior layout.

What Do Automotive Designers Do?

An automotive designer is a creative professional that works in the automobile industry. Automotive designers are responsible for designing nearly all aspects of a car, including both external and internal components. As an automotive designer, your job duties revolve around using software like AutoCAD to create plans that can then be executed by the manufacturing team. You work with a creative team of designers to ensure you have a cohesive product that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

What is the difference between Automotive Designer vs Automotive Engineer?

AspectAutomotive DesignerAutomotive Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Automotive Design, or related fieldBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, CAD software, collaborative teamsResearch labs, testing facilities, manufacturing plants
Industry UsageFocuses on aesthetics, style, and user experience of vehicle exteriors and interiorsFocuses on vehicle performance, safety, and technical systems

Automotive Designers primarily focus on the visual appearance and user experience of vehicles, working in design studios using CAD tools. Automotive Engineers concentrate on vehicle performance, safety, and technical systems, often working in labs and manufacturing settings. Both roles are essential in the automotive industry but serve different functions in vehicle development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Automotive Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automotive Designer, you need a strong background in industrial or automotive design, proficiency in sketching, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Mastery of design software such as Autodesk Alias, CATIA, and Adobe Creative Suite, along with familiarity with 3D modeling and prototyping tools, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong teamwork and communication skills help set exceptional designers apart. These skills are crucial for developing innovative, functional, and aesthetically appealing vehicles that meet both client and industry standards.
More about Automotive Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Automotive Designer jobs? Cities with the most Automotive Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Designer jobs? The most popular types of Automotive Designer jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Automotive Designer jobs? The top employers for Automotive Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Automotive Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Automotive Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Automotive Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Automotive Designer jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Automotive Designer jobs? For Automotive Designer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Automotive Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Automotive Designer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,374 per year, or $35.3 per hour.
Senior Automotive Component & Detail Designer (Research & Innovation)

Senior Automotive Component & Detail Designer (Research & Innovation)

Stellantis

Auburn Hills, MI • On-site

$96K - $103K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

Stellantis rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 124 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 44 rated automakers

Job description

Mission:
Lead and contribute to the research, design, and development of advanced automotive
components and detailed parts (interior and/or exterior), driving innovation through design
excellence, user-centered thinking, and strategic use of AI-assisted design tools.
Key Responsibilities included but not limited to:
  • Lead the design development of complex automotive components and detailed systems
  • Drive design research on user needs, future mobility trends, materials, and emerging technologies
  • Define and deliver high-quality design concepts aligned with brand DNA and product strategy
  • Actively use AI-assisted tools for ideation, generative design, optimization, and visualization
  • Supervise and mentor junior designers and interns
  • Produce and validate sketches, 2D/3D models, Class-A or near-production surfaces, renderings,
    and design presentations
  • Collaborate closely with engineering, UX/UI, CMF, innovation, and manufacturing teams
  • Ensure integration of technical, ergonomic, regulatory, sustainability, and industrial constraints
  • Participate in strategic design reviews, decision-making, and innovation workshops

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Automotive Design, Product Design, Transportation Design, or equivalent
  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience in automotive or transportation design
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating component design leadership, detailing excellence, and innovation
    capability
  • Advanced experience with AI-driven design workflows (concept generation, generative design,
    visual exploration)
  • Ability to define, customize, and optimize AI tools within the design process
  • Critical assessment and refinement of AI-generated outputs to meet brand and production
    standards
  • Strong interest in AI, data-driven design, and emerging digital technologies applied to mobility
  • Expert sketching skills (hand and digital)
  • Advanced 3D modeling and surfacing tools (Alias, Catia, Rhino, Blender, SolidWorks or similar)
  • Adobe Creative Suite and advanced visualization tools
  • In-depth knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and automotive standards
  • Strong sensitivity to UX, ergonomics, CMF, and sustainability

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Strong design leadership and mentoring abilities
  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving mindset
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Ability to work cross-functionally and influence decision-making
  • High level of autonomy, rigor, and creativity

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