Design Release Engineer

About the role

This role delivers soft interior trim solutions from concept to production, ensuring premium tactile quality and durable performance for automotive cabins. The hire owns the translation of design and CMF intent into production-feasible builds while preserving craftsmanship through tooling and process variation. Close collaboration with design, CMF, vehicle engineering, and suppliers is central to meeting both schedule and quality expectations. You will define layered construction feasibility for soft trim components using material and construction specifications for substrate, foam, skin, and adhesive systems. The position supports accelerated product development by applying and continuously improving engineering tools, methods, and best practices within the team. You will execute DFMEA, DVPR, and soft trim quality documentation to guide consistent outcomes across the program. Supplier readiness and pre-production build support are driven by your experience with vehicle or product launches and process variation management. Strong written and verbal communication allows you to explain technical decisions in plain words to align cross-functional stakeholders.

Key facts

What you'll do

Layered construction feasibility for soft trim components is defined through material and construction specifications for substrate, foam, skin, and adhesive systems.

Production-feasible soft trim designs are created by translating interior design and CMF intent while preserving intent through tooling and process variation.

Accelerated product development cycles are supported by applying and continuously improving engineering tools, methods, and best practices.

Surface definition and packaging are supported by skillful use of CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools for precise geometry and data management.

Supplier readiness and pre-production build support are provided based on experience with vehicle or product launches and qualification activities.

Consistent execution is guided by familiarity with DFMEA, DVPR, and soft trim quality documentation processes to ensure traceability and control.

Collaboration across design studios, CMF teams, and suppliers is coordinated during automotive interior development to align on requirements and decisions.

CAD proficiency and manufacturing process knowledge are central to effective execution and are used daily in concept through production activities.

Programs often span concept through production, requiring sustained involvement and ownership of outcomes across project phases.

You will apply DFM principles to wrapped panels, soft IP, door armrests, and textile liners to meet durability and tactile quality targets.

Requirements

Automotive soft interior trim engineering experience of 4+ years is required, covering wrapped panels, soft IP, door armrests, and textile liners.

Mastery of soft trim material systems, manufacturing processes such as slush molding and vacuum forming, and DFM principles is essential.

Surface definition and packaging are supported by skillful use of CATIA V5/V6 or equivalent CAD tools.

Supplier readiness and pre-production build support are provided based on experience with vehicle or product launches.

Consistent execution is guided by familiarity with DFMEA, DVPR, and soft trim quality documentation processes.

Bachelor's degree is required for this role in engineering, design, or a related field.

You must have 4 or more years of full-time professional experience in automotive interior trim or a closely related engineering discipline.

Compliance with federal contractor requirements, including drug screening, is mandatory for this position in Long Beach, California.

Practical notes

All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without discrimination.

Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Good to know

Collaboration across design studios, CMF teams, and suppliers is routine during automotive interior development.

CAD proficiency and manufacturing process knowledge are central to effective execution.

Programs often span concept through production, requiring sustained involvement.

Questions to ask

Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year.

Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question.

Keep the list short and pick the questions that matter most to you.

Career growth

Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels.

Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people.

Others stay on the technical track.

Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone.

A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship.

Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.