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Automotive Interior Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Canoo

Lead, Interior Designer

Justin, TX · On-site

Job Title Lead, Interior Design About Canoo Canoo's mission is to bring EVs to Everyone and build a ... Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in industrial / transportation / automotive design. * 10+ Years ...

Epitec

Sr Design Engineer

Novi, MI · On-site

$47/hr

Automotive interior, cockpit, console, door panel, trim, or related component experience ... Design for Manufacturability (DFM) * Engineering Change Management Why Join Us? This is an ...

New

Purple Hires Inc

Exterior Lighting Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minimum of 10+ years of experience in automotive interior and exterior lighting design * Work with Styling team to perform feasibility studies ...

New

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Automotive Interior Design information

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How much do automotive interior design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for automotive interior design in the United States is $25.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.95 and $28.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is automotive interior design?

Automotive interior design is the process of creating and developing the inside spaces of vehicles, including the layout, materials, colors, textures, and features that enhance comfort, safety, and user experience. Designers focus on elements such as seats, dashboards, instrument panels, controls, and infotainment systems to ensure functionality and aesthetics. This field combines creativity with technical expertise to meet both manufacturer requirements and customer preferences while adhering to safety and ergonomic standards.

What is the difference between Automotive Interior Design vs Automotive Exterior Design?

AspectAutomotive Interior DesignAutomotive Exterior Design
FocusDesigning the interior cabin, including dashboards, seats, and controlsDesigning the vehicle's exterior, including body shape, headlights, and grille
SkillsKnowledge of ergonomics, materials, and interior aestheticsKnowledge of aerodynamics, body engineering, and exterior styling
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, automotive manufacturers, suppliersDesign studios, automotive manufacturers, suppliers
Common CertificationsAutomotive design degrees, CAD proficiencyAutomotive design degrees, CAD proficiency

Automotive Interior Design and Automotive Exterior Design both involve vehicle styling but focus on different aspects. Interior designers concentrate on cabin comfort and aesthetics, while exterior designers shape the vehicle's overall look and aerodynamics. Both roles require similar skills, education, and work environments, but their design priorities differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive interior designer?

To thrive as an Automotive Interior Designer, you need strong skills in industrial design, ergonomics, material selection, and a relevant degree in design or engineering. Proficiency with CAD software (such as CATIA or Autodesk Alias), 3D modeling tools, and knowledge of manufacturing processes are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration set exceptional designers apart in this field. These skills are crucial for delivering innovative, safe, and market-competitive vehicle interiors that meet both functional and aesthetic requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by automotive interior designers when balancing aesthetics and functionality?

Automotive interior designers often face the challenge of creating interiors that are visually appealing while also meeting strict safety, ergonomic, and manufacturing requirements. Balancing innovative designs with material limitations, cost constraints, and compliance with industry standards can be difficult. Additionally, designers must collaborate closely with engineers and product managers to ensure that their concepts are feasible for production and enhance the overall user experience. Effective communication and adaptability are key to overcoming these challenges and delivering successful interior solutions.
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Cities with the most Automotive Interior Design job openings:

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The most popular types of Automotive Interior Design jobs are:

What states have the most Automotive Interior Design jobs?

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Automotive Interior Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Automotive Interior Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,697 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

Design Release Engineer- Soft Trim

ALTEN Technology USA

Long Beach, CA • On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

We're ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life-from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.
As part of the global ALTEN Group-57,000+ engineers in 30 countries-we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.
When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you'll collaborate on some of the world's toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
Role Overview
You will be a key contributor within a world-class automotive interior trim engineering team, responsible for the development and delivery of soft interior trim components. This role focuses on material engineering, surface application, detail design, and launch execution, working closely with design, color and materials, vehicle engineering, and supplier partners to deliver premium interior solutions from concept through production.
Key Responsibilities
  • Contribute to the development of high-quality soft interior trim components delivering on luxury, tactile feel, craftsmanship, safety, ergonomics, and long-term durability
  • Lead or support the engineering, packaging, release, and launch of soft trim components including wrapped panels, seat surrounds, soft-touch IP skins, armrests, and textile-based liners
  • Translate interior design and CMF intent into production-feasible, manufacturable soft trim constructions that maintain design fidelity through tooling and process variation
  • Define and manage material and construction specifications including substrate, foam, skin, and adhesive systems; oversee layered construction feasibility
  • Manage component-level DFMEA, DVPR, boundary diagrams, and robustness checklists through design and release milestones
  • Work cross-functionally with CMF, design, vehicle engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and program teams to maintain craftsmanship intent and timing
  • Collaborate closely with soft trim suppliers to ensure process capability, grain and texture consistency, cost targets, and on-time delivery
  • Support durability and environmental testing validation including UV resistance, thermal cycling, abrasion, and seam strength
  • Perform and support DFM assessments for slush molding, vacuum forming, sewing and bonding operations, and related soft trim processes
  • Support prototype builds, buck reviews, and resolution of surface, seam, and texture quality findings
  • Apply and continuously improve engineering tools, methods, and best practices to support accelerated product development

Required Qualifications
  • 4+ years' experience in automotive soft interior trim engineering (wrapped panels, soft IP, door armrests, textile liners, etc.)
  • Strong understanding of soft trim material systems, manufacturing processes (slush molding, vacuum forming, sewing, lamination), and DFM principles
  • Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools for surface definition and packaging
  • Experience supporting vehicle or product launches, including supplier readiness and pre-production build support
  • Familiarity with DFMEA, DVPR, and soft trim quality documentation processes

Nice to Have / Advantageous
  • Ownership of at least one full program lifecycle from concept through SOP
  • Experience in a fast-paced OEM or startup EV environment
  • Deep knowledge of soft trim construction methods including grain tooling, hide matching, sewing patterns, and foam tuning for tactile performance
  • Understanding of material aging, light fastness, and chemical resistance requirements per OEM specifications
  • Experience with CMF alignment process including grain sampling, color approval, and texture sign-off
  • Knowledge of airbag deployment zones and seamless airbag door integration within soft trim assemblies
  • Hands-on, practical engineering mindset with strong attention to surface quality and material behavior
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across design studios, CMF teams, and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers
  • Passion for craftsmanship and premium interior material execution

Salary Range: $120,000-$140,000/K
The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate's combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.
Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process.
Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.

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