ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Soft Trim Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Performance Seats

Trim Engineer

Clinton Township, MI · On-site

Summary The Trim Engineer participates and is responsible for design, development, and ... Order and manage - including inventory - soft trim development materials for all programs and ...

New

Ford Motor Company

Seat Trim Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

Contribute to Engineering & Design: Use your practical experience to provide real-world feedback on ... Create and optimize 2D flat patterns, 3D trim covers, and soft trim designs for seat cushions ...

JVIS USA LLC

Mechanical Engineer

Shelby, MI · On-site

Hard Trim/Soft Trim engineering experience is mandatory. Must have plant launch experience with interior molded components such as hard trim, wrapped trim, plated and painted molded components.

JVIS

Mechanical Engineer

Shelby Township, MI · On-site

Hard Trim/Soft Trim engineering experience is mandatory. Must have plant launch experience with interior molded components such as hard trim, wrapped trim, plated and painted molded components.

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSoft Trim Engineer Jobs

Soft Trim Engineer information

See salary details

$31K

$95.8K

$127.5K

How much do soft trim engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for soft trim engineer in the United States is $95,796.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,000.00 and $116,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and relevant certifications. High-level managerial or executive engineering roles can also reach or exceed this salary level, typically in large organizations or industries with high demand for technical expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Soft Trim Engineer position, and why are they important?

A Soft Trim Engineer should have an educational background in mechanical engineering or a related field, combined with strong knowledge of automotive interior components and materials. Familiarity with CAD software (such as CATIA or NX), materials testing standards, and quality control systems is highly valued, along with experience in prototype development. Outstanding attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration skills with cross-functional teams set top candidates apart. These skills and qualities ensure seamless design, development, and integration of soft trim components that meet both functional and aesthetic requirements in the automotive industry.

What is a trim engineer?

A trim engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing interior and exterior trim components in vehicles or products. They work with materials, manufacturing processes, and quality standards to ensure proper fit, finish, and aesthetics. Skills in CAD software and knowledge of manufacturing techniques are often required for this role.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and working in high-demand industries. These roles often require advanced degrees, certifications, and leadership responsibilities.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most engineering roles do not reach a $500,000 annual salary, some highly specialized or senior positions such as senior software engineers, engineering managers, or executives in technology companies can earn this level of compensation through base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this salary typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working in high-paying industries or companies.

What is a Soft Trim Engineer job?

A Soft Trim Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing soft interior components of a vehicle, such as seat covers, carpets, door panels, headliners, and insulation materials. They work closely with material suppliers, design teams, and manufacturing units to ensure that the components meet durability, aesthetic, and regulatory standards. Their role involves selecting appropriate materials, optimizing cost and weight, and ensuring manufacturability while meeting quality and performance requirements.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Soft Trim Engineer in an automotive company?

Soft Trim Engineers typically spend their day collaborating with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to develop and refine automotive interior components like seats, headliners, carpets, and door trims. Their responsibilities include creating and reviewing CAD models, selecting appropriate materials and suppliers, participating in testing and validation of prototypes, and resolving any issues found during production trials. They may also attend meetings to coordinate design changes, ensure compliance with industry standards, and work closely with suppliers and other engineering disciplines. This role offers a dynamic mix of hands-on problem solving and teamwork, making each day both challenging and rewarding.

More about Soft Trim Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Soft Trim Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Soft Trim Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Soft Trim Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Soft Trim Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Soft Trim Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Soft Trim Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Soft Trim Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Soft Trim Engineer jobs are:
Soft Trim Engineer jobs near you
Design Release Engineer, Body Interior- Soft Trim Engineer

Design Release Engineer, Body Interior- Soft Trim Engineer

ALTEN Technology USA

Long Beach, CA

$120K - $140K/yr

Other

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

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 

Apply