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Soft Trim Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Prestige Engineering L.L.C

Trim Engineer

Clinton, MI · On-site

Summary The Trim Engineer participates and is responsible for design, development, and implementation of Company's soft trim. This individual will also help plan, design, and direct Company ...

Prestige Engineering

MI

Summary The Trim Engineer participates and is responsible for design, development, and implementation of Company's soft trim. This individual will also help plan, design, and direct Company ...

Performance Seats

Trim Engineer

Clinton Township, MI · On-site

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

Performance Seats, Inc.

Trim Engineer

Clinton, MI · On-site

$70 - $90/hr

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 ...

Adient

Trim Engineer

Plymouth, MI · On-site

Supplies required information to, and interfaces directly with, Soft Trim Materials Engineering team to support trim material evaluation and issue resolution processes. * Understands and contributes ...

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Soft Trim Engineer information

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$31K

$95.8K

$127.5K

How much do soft trim engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 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 is a soft trim engineer?

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.

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.

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Soft Trim Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Soft Trim Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,796 per year, or $46.1 per hour.

Design Release Engineer- Soft Trim

Long Beach, CA

ALTEN Technology USA
Engineering Professional Services • 10K+ employees
Learn more about ALTEN Technology USAexternal

$120K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 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 

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