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Automotive Trim Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CAD Engineer, Exterior Trim

Newark, CA ยท On-site

$115K - $125K/yr

... automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more. As part of the global ALTEN Group-57,000 ... Design Engineer - Exterior Trim, Mechanisms & Glazing ONSITE in Newark, CA We are currently seeking ...

CAD Engineer, Exterior Trim

Newark, CA ยท On-site

$115K - $125K/yr

... automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more. As part of the global ALTEN Group--57,000 ... Design Engineer - Exterior Trim, Mechanisms & Glazing ONSITE in Newark, CA We are currently seeking ...

QUALITY ENGINEER

Portageville, MO ยท On-site

$60 - $80/hr

In this critical role, you will ensure our automotive trim products meet or exceed internal and ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams- including production, engineering, and design - to ...

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Automotive Trim Engineer information

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$12

$55

$80

How much do automotive trim engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for automotive trim engineer in the United States is $55.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.14 and $74.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an automotive trim engineer do?

An Automotive Trim Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing the interior and exterior trim components of vehicles. These components include items like seats, dashboards, door panels, carpets, and other decorative or functional elements inside a car. The role involves working closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure that trim parts meet safety, durability, and aesthetic standards. Trim engineers also address issues related to material selection, fit and finish, and cost optimization throughout the product development process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive trim engineer?

To thrive as an Automotive Trim Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, materials science, and product design, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency in CAD software (such as CATIA or SolidWorks), knowledge of manufacturing processes, and familiarity with quality standards like ISO/TS 16949 are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in cross-functional teams and manage complex projects. These qualifications and skills are crucial for designing high-quality automotive interiors that meet safety, aesthetic, and cost requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by automotive trim engineers during new vehicle development?

Automotive Trim Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing design aesthetics with manufacturability and cost constraints, ensuring trim components meet strict durability and safety standards, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to address fit and finish issues. They must also manage supplier interactions to resolve quality concerns and adapt to last-minute design changes that can impact timelines. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential to navigate these complexities and deliver high-quality interior and exterior trim components on schedule.

What is the difference between Automotive Trim Engineer vs Automotive Interior Designer?

AspectAutomotive Trim EngineerAutomotive Interior Designer
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Industrial, or Automotive EngineeringBachelor's in Industrial Design, Interior Design, or related field
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, engineering labs, R&D departmentsDesign studios, automotive showrooms, client meetings
Industry UsageFocuses on material selection, durability, and manufacturing processesFocuses on aesthetics, user experience, and interior layout

Automotive Trim Engineers primarily work on the technical aspects of vehicle interior components, ensuring durability and manufacturability. Automotive Interior Designers focus on the visual and functional design of vehicle interiors. Both roles require specialized skills but differ in their focus areas within the automotive industry.

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Infographic showing various Automotive Trim Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,463 per year, or $56 per hour.

Senior Exterior Trim Engineer

Newark, CA โ€ข On-site

ALTEN Technology USA
Engineering Professional Servicesย โ€ขย 10K+ employees

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 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.
Workplace: On-site, 5 days per week
Location: Newark, CA
Travel: To Arizona, Infrequently
We are currently seeking a Senior Exterior Trim Engineer. This position requires an experienced professional with a responsibility for designing and developing parts of the exterior systems of a world class vehicle in terms of both styling and function. Our ideal candidate exhibits a can-do attitude and approaches his or her work with vigor and determination. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate excellence in their respective fields, to possess the ability to learn quickly and to strive for perfection within a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
โ€ข Lead or play a leading role in the packaging, engineering design, release and launch of exterior trims of a state-of-the-art car
โ€ข Create cutting edge exterior systems focusing on quality, reliability, functionality, mass and cost efficiency
โ€ข Work interactively within a cross functional studio and vehicle engineering team, placing priority upon the greater benefit of the vehicle above any one individual system
โ€ข Employ and develop world class engineering tools and an innovative approach to support the systems generation
Required Qualifications
โ€ข Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or relevant engineering discipline
โ€ข 5+ years of experience in vehicle exterior trim design & development. This includes design related experience with at least some of the following areas:
โ€ข Side valences
โ€ข Sill trims
โ€ข Underbody aero shields
โ€ข Wheelhouse liners Spoilers / Appliques
โ€ข "Frunk" / "Froot"
โ€ข Rocker panels
โ€ข Proven experience creating complex CAD schemes and models to an excellent standard, preferably using CATIA V5 or V6
โ€ข Proven experience with thermoplastic & thermoset resin materials and class A manufacturing technologies (including painting)
โ€ข A good understanding of the range of computational tools available to design engineers
โ€ข Launch experience
Preferred Qualifications
โ€ข A flair for creative engineering and 3D problem solving
โ€ข Five or more years of experience with plastics design, Class A surfaces, front crash, aero features, lighting integration, module integration, tooling, resins, supply base, fit and finish, gap and flush, module concept, thermal expansion, structural design, paint (matching).
โ€ข A strong desire to create the very best product, working as an integral part of a very capable team
โ€ข Well-developed team working and interpersonal skills
โ€ข A great work ethic
Salary Range
โ€ข $100,000 - 130,000
โ€ข 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.