... clay models. Establish and manage development timeline for life of project. Develop functional ... Driving required 0-10% travel Contract to hire opportunity
... clay models. Establish and manage development timeline for life of project. Develop functional ... Driving required 0-10% travel Contract to hire opportunity
Design Release Engineer - Intermediate (1454298)
Auburn Hills, MI · On-site
$43 - $48/hr
... clay models. Establish and manage development timeline for life of project. Develop functional ... Contract to hire opportunity
Design Release Engineer - Intermediate (1454298)
Auburn Hills, MI · On-site
$43 - $48/hr
... clay models. Establish and manage development timeline for life of project. Develop functional ... Contract to hire opportunity
Contract Clay Modeler information
See Rochester, MI salary details
$10.1K - $18K
0% of jobs
$18K - $25.9K
0% of jobs
$25.9K - $33.8K
0% of jobs
$33.8K - $41.8K
0% of jobs
$41.8K - $49.7K
0% of jobs
$49.7K - $57.6K
0% of jobs
$57.6K - $65.5K
0% of jobs
$65.5K - $73.4K
0% of jobs
$73.4K - $81.3K
0% of jobs
$84.4K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$81.3K - $89.2K
65% of jobs
$91.5K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$89.2K - $97.1K
35% of jobs
$10.1K
$97.1K
How much do contract clay modeler jobs pay per year?
As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract clay modeler in Rochester, MI is $89,437.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,800.00 and $96,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Clay Modeler, and why are they important?
A Contract Clay Modeler typically needs expertise in sculpting, a solid understanding of design and proportions, and relevant experience in automotive or industrial modeling, often supported by an associate degree or technical training. Familiarity with tools such as clay modeling equipment, 3D scanning technology, and CAD software is commonly required. Strong attention to detail, creativity, teamwork, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are essential for accurately translating design concepts into physical prototypes that guide product development.
What are Contract Clay Modelers?
Contract Clay Modelers are specialized professionals hired on a temporary or project basis to sculpt full-scale or scale models of designs, often for the automotive or industrial design industries. They use clay as the primary medium to create physical representations of concepts, which helps designers and engineers visualize and refine products before production. Contract Clay Modelers typically work closely with design teams, interpreting sketches and digital models into three-dimensional forms. Their expertise is crucial in the early stages of product development, allowing for adjustments and improvements before finalizing a design.
What are some common challenges faced by Contract Clay Modelers in automotive design studios?
Contract Clay Modelers often work on tight deadlines and must adapt quickly to frequent design changes from engineering and design teams. Balancing high attention to detail with speed, while ensuring the model accurately reflects the designer’s intent, can be challenging. Additionally, contract modelers may need to quickly integrate into new teams and workflows, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills. The ability to interpret 2D drawings into 3D physical models is another critical aspect of the role.
What job categories do people searching Contract Clay Modeler jobs in Rochester, MI look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Clay Modeler jobs in Rochester, MI are:
What cities near Rochester, MI are hiring for Contract Clay Modeler jobs? Cities near Rochester, MI with the most Contract Clay Modeler job openings:
$47 - $51/hr
Other
Life, PTO
Posted 26 days ago
Job description
Job Description 100% On-site in Auburn Hills, MI The Design and Release Engineer will be responsible for developing components/systems from initial design concept through full volume production. The Design and Release Engineer will provide feasibility input for development of designs from Product Design Office (PDO) concepts, sketch, and clay models. Establish and manage development timeline for life of project.
Develop functional objectives, build objectives, DVPR, and DFMEA for components. The Engineer will lead design, while leveraging external design source and/or internal CAD design resource. The Engineer will be responsible for the release of completed component geometry using Teamcenter/NX CAD tools.
Validate virtual designs using CAE resources and perform physical validation via component, system, and vehicle level testing. Manage internal documentation for release of systems. Plan and oversee tool construction and production of assemblies.
On-site support for vehicle pilot builds and production launch at assembly plant. Responsible for root cause analysis and determination of corrective action for issues with assembly, fit/finish, and functional performance. Analyze and remediate warranty, identify cost reduction opportunities on production of systems, candidate will also be responsible for safety compliance report documents.
Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical/Electrical/Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering degree from an ABET accredited university. 5+ years experience working with an Automotive OEM 5+ years design release engineer of Automatic Transmissions and/or Electric Drive Modules 10+ years of design and release engineering of components and subsystems Preferred hydraulic components design release ....hydraulic systems, valve bodies, actuators, solenoids, pumps, etc... Driving required 0-10% travel Contract to hire opportunity
About Brightwing
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Recruiting and staffing services
Company size
51 - 200 Employees
Headquarters location
Troy, MI, US
Year founded
1973