Seat Trim Engineer

About the role

As a hands-on Seat Trim Technician, you’ll dive right into building, troubleshooting, and perfecting automotive seat trim systems. This is a role for someone who loves getting their hands dirty, takes pride in flawless craftsmanship, and is genuinely excited to grow into more engineering responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Build and Prototype Seat Trim: Cut, sew, wrap, and assemble high-quality trim covers for cushions, seat backs, headrests, armrests, and full seat systems.
• Hands-On Craftsmanship & Quality: Perform detailed fit checks, tension adjustments, stitching evaluations, and surface inspections.
• Support Testing and Validation: Assemble seats for durability, wear, environmental, and crash testing.
• Contribute to Engineering & Design: Use your practical experience to provide real-world feedback on patterns, material choices, and assembly methods.
• Material & Process Experimentation: Help evaluate new fabrics, foams, stitching techniques, and automation opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with design/styling, seat engineers, manufacturing teams, and program managers.
• Continuous Improvement: Proactively suggest and help implement changes that make builds faster, cleaner, or higher quality.
• Documentation & Organization: Maintain accurate build records, patterns, BOMs, and test notes.

Requirements

• Associate degree of Science/Applied Science (AAS) in Automotive Technology or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience designing and developing seat trim components.
• 3+ years of experience using 3D CAD and trim software collaboratively (Catia V5/V6, 3DX, Optitex, Master trim etc.).
• Experience in the production release process.
• Experience in a factory setting launching a new product.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, or Industrial, or Materials, or Automotive Engineering (Preferred but not essential).
• Proficiency in CAD Dassault Systems 3DX CATIA for 3D modeling and design.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical principles, materials science, and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with automotive industry standards and regulations.
• Understanding of ergonomics and human factors in seating design.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Attention to detail and a focus on delivering high-quality solutions.

Skills

• Previous experience in the automotive industry or with seating systems is preferred but not mandatory.

Benefits

Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

Pay

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $118,700-$198,500.
This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $138,800-$232,700.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Schedule

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.