You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake ...
You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake ...
You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake ...
You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake ...
Entry-Level Wheel Designer
Warren, MI · On-site
You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake ...
Entry-Level Wheel Designer
Warren, MI · On-site
You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake ...
You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake ...
You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake ...
You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake ...
You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake ...
Automotive Styling Designer
Nappanee, IN · On-site
Automotive Styling Designer (CAS & Class A Surfacing) Location: Nappanee, Indiana, USA Experience ... Develop advanced exterior and/or interior theme proposals * Communicate design intent through ...
Automotive Styling Designer
Nappanee, IN · On-site
Automotive Styling Designer (CAS & Class A Surfacing) Location: Nappanee, Indiana, USA Experience ... Develop advanced exterior and/or interior theme proposals * Communicate design intent through ...
Automotive Styling Designer
Nappanee, IN · On-site
Automotive Styling Designer (CAS & Class A Surfacing) Location: Nappanee, Indiana, USA Experience ... Develop advanced exterior and/or interior theme proposals * Communicate design intent through ...
Quick apply
Automotive Styling Designer
Nappanee, IN · On-site
Automotive Styling Designer (CAS & Class A Surfacing) Location: Nappanee, Indiana, USA Experience ... Develop advanced exterior and/or interior theme proposals * Communicate design intent through ...
Equipment Engineer - I
Salem, IL · On-site
$66K - $88K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Assists in establishing process designs for new lamp manufacturing processes. * Reviews and ...
Equipment Engineer - I
Salem, IL · On-site
$66K - $88K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Assists in establishing process designs for new lamp manufacturing processes. * Reviews and ...
Equipment Design Engineer - II
Flora, IL · On-site
$77K - $100K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Designs and develops assembly equipment fixtures and tooling. * Maintains the standard equipment ...
Equipment Design Engineer - II
Flora, IL · On-site
$77K - $100K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Designs and develops assembly equipment fixtures and tooling. * Maintains the standard equipment ...
Equipment Design Engineer - II
Flora, IL · On-site
$77K - $100K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Designs and develops assembly equipment fixtures and tooling. * Maintains the standard equipment ...
Equipment Design Engineer - II
Flora, IL · On-site
$77K - $100K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Designs and develops assembly equipment fixtures and tooling. * Maintains the standard equipment ...
Equipment Design Technician - III
Flora, IL · On-site
$63K - $93K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Creates electrical and pneumatic designs using Autocad/Draftsight. * Creates electrical and ...
Equipment Design Technician - III
Flora, IL · On-site
$63K - $93K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Creates electrical and pneumatic designs using Autocad/Draftsight. * Creates electrical and ...
Systems Engineer - I
Muscle Shoals, AL · On-site
$65K - $89K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Designs, documents, analyzes, and configures physical and virtual production server environment.
Systems Engineer - I
Muscle Shoals, AL · On-site
$65K - $89K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Designs, documents, analyzes, and configures physical and virtual production server environment.
Equipment Engineer - I
Salem, IL · On-site
$66K - $88K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Assists in establishing process designs for new lamp manufacturing processes. * Reviews and ...
Equipment Engineer - I
Salem, IL · On-site
$66K - $88K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Assists in establishing process designs for new lamp manufacturing processes. * Reviews and ...
CAE Engineer Structural - Sr
Farmington Hills, MI · On-site
$103K - $141K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Provides guidance and technical advice to project engineers and designers regarding thermal ...
CAE Engineer Structural - Sr
Farmington Hills, MI · On-site
$103K - $141K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Provides guidance and technical advice to project engineers and designers regarding thermal ...
Designer - NX & CATIA (Automotive Soft Trim)
$85K - $89K/yr
Key Responsibilities of the Designer for Soft Trim Automotive Components: * Create and modify 2D ... Develop interior and exterior components including carpets, firewall insulation, headliners, cargo ...
Designer - NX & CATIA (Automotive Soft Trim)
$85K - $89K/yr
Key Responsibilities of the Designer for Soft Trim Automotive Components: * Create and modify 2D ... Develop interior and exterior components including carpets, firewall insulation, headliners, cargo ...
Systems Engineer - I
Muscle Shoals, AL · On-site
$65K - $89K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Designs, documents, analyzes, and configures physical and virtual production server environment.
Systems Engineer - I
Muscle Shoals, AL · On-site
$65K - $89K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Designs, documents, analyzes, and configures physical and virtual production server environment.
Staff SIE, Exterior Trim
Southfield, MI · On-site
... exterior designs while ensuring robust supplier industrialization and adherence to quality ... You Bring: * 5+ years of high-volume automotive manufacturing experience supporting Exterior Trim ...
Staff SIE, Exterior Trim
Southfield, MI · On-site
... exterior designs while ensuring robust supplier industrialization and adherence to quality ... You Bring: * 5+ years of high-volume automotive manufacturing experience supporting Exterior Trim ...
Equipment Engineer - II
Flora, IL · On-site
$77K - $103K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Assists in establishing process designs for new lamp manufacturing processes. * Reviews and ...
Equipment Engineer - II
Flora, IL · On-site
$77K - $103K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Assists in establishing process designs for new lamp manufacturing processes. * Reviews and ...
Equipment Design Technician - III
Flora, IL · On-site
$63K - $93K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Creates electrical and pneumatic designs using Autocad/Draftsight. * Creates electrical and ...
Equipment Design Technician - III
Flora, IL · On-site
$63K - $93K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Creates electrical and pneumatic designs using Autocad/Draftsight. * Creates electrical and ...
Process Engineer - Sr
Paris, IL · On-site
$78K - $117K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Advises and educates product launch teams on material and process capability for product designs.
Process Engineer - Sr
Paris, IL · On-site
$78K - $117K/yr
As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting ... Advises and educates product launch teams on material and process capability for product designs.
Automotive Exterior Designer information
See salary details
$50.5K - $54.2K
3% of jobs
$54.2K - $58K
7% of jobs
$58K - $61.7K
12% of jobs
$62.8K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$61.7K - $65.4K
9% of jobs
$65.4K - $69.1K
12% of jobs
$69.1K - $72.9K
5% of jobs
The median wage is $74.7K / yr.
$72.9K - $76.6K
3% of jobs
$76.6K - $80.3K
18% of jobs
$81.5K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$80.3K - $84K
18% of jobs
$84K - $87.8K
6% of jobs
$87.8K - $91.5K
6% of jobs
$50.5K
$73.4K
$91.5K
How much do automotive exterior designer jobs pay per year?
How to become an automotive exterior designer?
What does an automotive exterior designer do?
Is automotive exterior design a good career?
What is the difference between Automotive Exterior Designer vs Automotive Interior Designer?
| Aspect | Automotive Exterior Designer | Automotive Interior Designer |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Degree in Transportation Design, Automotive Design, or related fields | Degree in Interior Design, Transportation Design, or related fields |
| Work Environment | Design studios, automotive manufacturers, or suppliers | Design studios, automotive manufacturers, or suppliers |
| Industry Usage | Focuses on exterior aesthetics, aerodynamics, and styling | Focuses on interior comfort, ergonomics, and aesthetics |
| Common Search/Comparison | Often compared due to design specialization within automotive industry |
Automotive Exterior Designers and Automotive Interior Designers both work within the automotive industry, focusing on different aspects of vehicle design. Exterior designers concentrate on the vehicle's outer appearance, aerodynamics, and styling, while interior designers focus on the comfort, ergonomics, and aesthetics of the vehicle's interior. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but their areas of expertise differ significantly.
What are some common challenges automotive exterior designers face when balancing creativity with engineering constraints?
Are automotive exterior designers in demand?
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive exterior designer?
What cities are hiring for Automotive Exterior Designer jobs?
Cities with the most Automotive Exterior Designer job openings:
What states have the most Automotive Exterior Designer jobs?
States with the most job openings for Automotive Exterior Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Automotive Exterior Designer jobs look for?
The top searched job categories for Automotive Exterior Designer jobs are:

General Motors rating
8.2
General Motors
Based on 306 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
7.4
Automakers average
Based on 6,276 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
Job description
Job Description
We are seeking an entry-level Wheel Designer to join the Wheel Design team at General Motors. This role focuses on the creation of innovative wheel designs that reinforce GM's brand character (Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC/Hummer) and support the proportion, stance, and performance of our vehicles. You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering partners to take ideas from early sketches through digital models and production-feasible solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Generate high-quality wheel concept sketches that explore proportion, spoke architecture, surfacing, and detailing.
- Develop refined digital renderings using Adobe Photoshop to communicate design intent, color/finish, and material breakup.
- Integrate AI-assisted tools (e.g., generative image/model workflows) into your process for rapid ideation, variation studies, and visualization while maintaining a clear, original design point of view.
- Collaborate with exterior designers, digital modelers, and colors & materials teams to align wheel designs with overall vehicle vision.
- Prepare clear presentations of design work for design reviews, including sketches, digital renders, and 3D views.
- Support the transition from concept to production by refining designs in response to engineering, aerodynamics, brake-cooling, and manufacturing feedback.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree (or in final year of study) in Transportation Design, Industrial Design, Automotive Design, or a closely related field, or equivalent portfolio-based experience.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating:
- Advanced hand sketching and quick ideation skills.
- Photoreal digital rendering (Photoshop, VRED, or equivalent).
- Solid 3D surfacing capability (e.g., Alias, Blender, or similar).
- Use of AI tools (image generation, variation, or assistive workflows) as part of an integrated design process.
- Strong communication skills and comfort presenting work to crossfunctional teams and leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience designing wheels for production or advanced concept vehicles.
- Previous work in a global OEM or advanced studio environment.
- Deep automotive knowledge: understanding of vehicle architectures, wheel/tire fitment, brake package constraints, and brand/segment trends.
- Proven ability to take designs from early concept through to productionviable solutions.
Personal Attributes
- Genuine passion for automotive design and emerging mobility trends.
- Highly creative with a strong sense of proportion, stance, and detail.
- Collaborative, open to feedback, and able to iterate quickly.
- Proactive, selfdriven, and comfortable operating in a fastpaced studio environment.
Portfolio Submission
Please submit:
- Resume highlighting education and relevant experience.
- Digital portfolio (PDF or online link) featuring:
- Freehand sketches and ideation pages
- Photoshop renderings of wheels or related components
- Blender or other 3D work (screenshots or turntables)
- Any examples of AI-assisted design workflows, clearly labeled.
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day - individually and collectively - to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
Working at General Motors
What General Motors employees say
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Get the full story on Breakroom
About General Motors
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
General Motors is a company with global scale and capabilities, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, with employees around the world. The company employs over 165,000 people, serves six continents, operates across 22 time zones, and has a diverse workforce speaking 75 languages1. GM’s vision is to drive the world forward by pioneering innovations that move and connect people to what matters. The company is working towards an all-electric future with its new Ultium Platform and is pushing transportation options beyond our wildest imaginations with autonomous vehicles. GM is also committed to becoming the most inclusive company in the world.
Industry
Transportation equipment manufacturing
Company size
10,000+ Employees
Headquarters location
Detroit, MI, US
Year founded
1908