1

Seating Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Drive multiple suppliers in parallel across trim, lighting, seating, and exterior commodities ... Work across all engineering teams to release parts and assemblies in 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX), owning ...

Seating Engineering is a place to be innovative and creative while contributing to a culture of trust and continuous improvement. Responsibilities * Lead the design and development of restraints for ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$77K - $99K/yr

Join to apply for the Manufacturing Engineer role at Adient Aerospace (now known as Elevate Aircraft Seating) Join to apply for the Manufacturing Engineer role at Adient Aerospace (now known as ...

Seat Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$105K - $150K/yr

Lead the design and development of seating solutions including seat structures, functional mechanisms, foam, and covers from concept through detailed engineering and production release. * Ensure ...

Showing results 21-40

Seating Engineer information

What is a seating engineer?

Seating Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test seating systems for vehicles, ensuring they meet safety, comfort, and aesthetic requirements. They collaborate with designers, material specialists, and safety engineers to create seats that comply with regulatory standards and customer preferences. Their work includes selecting materials, developing ergonomic shapes, and integrating features like heating, ventilation, and electronic adjustments. Seating Engineers also conduct tests for durability, crash safety, and usability before seats go into production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a seating engineer?

To thrive as a Seating Engineer, you need expertise in mechanical engineering principles, ergonomic design, and materials science, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering. Proficiency in CAD software (such as CATIA or SolidWorks), knowledge of industry standards, and familiarity with testing and prototyping tools are essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help set top candidates apart. These competencies are crucial for developing safe, comfortable, and innovative seating solutions that meet both regulatory and user requirements.

What are some typical challenges a seating engineer faces when balancing comfort, safety, and manufacturing constraints?

Seating Engineers often navigate the complex task of designing seats that meet stringent safety standards, deliver optimal comfort for a diverse user base, and remain cost-effective to manufacture. Balancing ergonomic requirements with crashworthiness and lightweight materials can be challenging, as improvements in one area may require compromises in another. Collaboration with design, testing, and manufacturing teams is crucial to ensure that the final product aligns with regulatory standards, aesthetic goals, and production timelines.

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

AspectSeating EngineerAutomotive Interior Designer
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, CAD skills, certifications in automotive designDesign degree, CAD skills, focus on aesthetics and user experience
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, engineering labs, automotive companiesDesign studios, automotive OEMs, supplier companies
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, suppliers, engineering firmsAutomotive OEMs, design studios, aftermarket companies

Seating Engineers focus on the technical development, safety, and functionality of vehicle seats, working closely with engineering teams. Automotive Interior Designers concentrate on the aesthetic, comfort, and user experience aspects of vehicle interiors. While both roles collaborate in vehicle design, Seating Engineers are more technical and engineering-oriented, whereas Interior Designers emphasize visual appeal and ergonomics.

What are popular job titles related to Seating Engineer jobs in California?

For Seating Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Seating Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Seating Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Seating Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Seating Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Seating Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Senior Trim & Lighting Engineer

Foster City, CA

Zoox
Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

$195K - $235K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Zoox rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

As a Senior Trim & Lighting Engineer on Zoox's Vehicle Engineering team, you will be the engineering point of contact for interior, exterior, seating, and lighting attachment and integration design. Working across the body team, suppliers, and internal engineering groups, you will own the design and release of attachment interfaces that maximize carryover, protect existing tooling, and hit program timelines.

This is a senior, self-directed role for an engineer who can own substantial technical problems end-to-end, drive multiple suppliers in parallel, lead a small team, and bring cross-functional stakeholders to consensus. If you're ready to make a significant impact in the automotive industry, we want to hear from you.

In this role, you will:
  • Serve as the Trim & Lighting engineering point of contact for the program, coordinating across the body team, suppliers, and internal engineering groups.

  • Own the design and release of attachment and mounting interfaces for interior, exterior, seating, and lighting components.

  • Drive multiple suppliers in parallel across trim, lighting, seating, and exterior commodities, holding each to design, cost, and timeline commitments.

  • Maximize carryover of components and part numbers, minimizing new part creation and preserving existing designs wherever feasible.

  • Drive attachment solutions that require minimal to no change to existing tooling; assess and document tooling impact with suppliers where changes are unavoidable.

  • Manage interfaces and changes with the body/structures team, translating structural changes into trim, seating, and lighting attachment requirements.

  • Partner with the Validation team to define and execute component and subsystem validation plans (DVP&Rs).

  • Work across all engineering teams to release parts and assemblies in 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX), owning data quality and change management through release.

  • Apply sound cost judgment in design decisions, including VA/VE, carryover, and should-cost awareness to protect program cost targets.

  • Present technical direction, anticipate objections, and bring parties together to build consensus on interface and integration decisions.

  • Lead a small team of engineers as needed, defining tasks and providing technical supervision, and lead smaller projects that span multiple teams.

  • Own design and release using CATIA V6, translating system and interface requirements into manufacturable designs.

  • Create and maintain technical documentation, including DFMEAs and DVP&Rs, to support validation and quality.

  • Review and apply CAE simulation results to optimize attachment performance, fit, and durability.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's with 7+ years, or a PhD with 3+ years.

  • Deep knowledge across multiple relevant areas of automotive interior/exterior trim, seating, or lighting engineering.

  • Proven experience taking automotive components and subsystems through at least one full design-to-launch cycle at the OEM or Tier 1 level, from concept through production launch. 

  • Demonstrated experience with carryover strategy and attachment/interface design across components or subsystems.

  • Strong command of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and selection of fastening and joining methods (clips, fasteners, welds, adhesives) for attachment design.

  • Proven ability to draft and execute against technical requirements, implementing industry-standard engineering principles and rigorous design methodologies.

  • Experience managing interfaces and change with a body/structures team, translating structural changes into trim, seating, and lighting attachment requirements.

  • Proficient in 3D modeling with CATIA V6 (or CATIA V5 / equivalent), with a strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing and attachment/fastening design.

  • Experience releasing parts and managing change in a PLM environment (3DEXPERIENCE / 3DX preferred).

  • Experience managing multiple technical suppliers and project timelines in parallel, delivering under tight constraints.

  • Sound cost judgment in design decisions, including VA/VE and should-cost awareness.

  • Familiarity with validation processes, including DVP&Rs and DFMEAs, across at least one complete vehicle lifecycle program.

  • Comfortable operating in an early-phase, ambiguous, fast-moving program, defining scope and validation plans where none yet exist.

  • Able to work independently on substantial problems and to lead a small team (2-3 people) and cross-team projects.

Base Salary Range


There are three major components to compensation for this position: salary, Amazon Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights. A sign-on bonus may be offered as part of the compensation package. The listed range applies only to the base salary. Compensation will vary based on geographic location and level. Leveling, as well as positioning within a level, is determined by a range of factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's relevant years of experience, domain knowledge, and interview performance. The salary range listed in this posting is representative of the range of levels Zoox is considering for this position.


Zoox also offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off (e.g. sick leave, vacation, bereavement), unpaid time off, Zoox Stock Appreciation Rights, Amazon RSUs, health insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and life insurance.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.


What Zoox employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Zoox logo

About Zoox

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Zoox is dedicated to creating the world's first fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the necessary ecosystem to make this technology accessible. Positioned at the crossroads of robotics, machine learning, and design, Zoox strives to deliver the future of mobility-as-a-service in urban settings. We seek exceptional individuals who share our enthusiasm and are eager to join a dynamic and results-driven team.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Foster City, CA, US