Colour Material Finish Design Manager

Etihad Airways; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Etihad Airways is seeking a Material Design Manager to define the colour, material and finish (CMF) direction for the guest experience from Ground to Aircraft Cabin. You will translate brand strategy into tangible CMF opportunities, collaborating with Brand, Cabin Interiors, Product & Hospitality and Cabin Crew & Service teams.

The role requires translating Brand into compelling CMF design strategies and tangible outcomes developed with external suppliers and manufacturers, with a strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Design with specialized experience in Colour, Material, Finish design.
• 7 years of CMF design experience in consultancy or in-house roles.
• Expert in storytelling and articulation of concepts.
• Strong interest in Design and Cultural trends.
• Ability to lead and command respect as subject matter expert.

Responsibilities

• Define material aesthetic and tactile direction for Etihad guest experience across ground to cabin.
• Lead CMF design for onboard soft products, amenities, aircraft seats and cabin environments.
• Manage material development with internal partners and external suppliers; establish CMF guidelines.
• Create and manage CMF material library and a digital/physical database of materials.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships and coordinate supplier visits for product demonstrations.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Solution oriented

Technical ability

Aesthetic sensitivity

Collaboration

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Design

Job description

Material Design Manager will cover see the colour, material and finish (CMF) defining the material aesthetic and tactile direction for Etihad guest experience from Ground to Aircraft Cabin. Working closely with external consultants and internal stakeholders the CMF design manager articulates and captures the Etihad brand look & feel through colour, material, pattern and texture. The role collaborates closely with multiple stakeholders from Brand, Cabin Interiors, Product & Hospitality and Cabin Crew & Service to translate Brand Strategy into tangible Colour and Material Design opportunities in every touch point of the Guest Journey.

The role requires an ability and proven track‑record of translating Brand into compelling CMF design strategies and tangible outcomes developed with external suppliers and manufacturers.

• Strategic Mindset: The candidate needs to see the big picture to form a holistic design approach across multiple touchpoints.
• Solution Oriented: The strategies need to be grounded in manufacturing realities and lead to implementable solutions both in the short and long term.
• Technical Ability: The role requires understanding of material properties and requirements of soft goods, seats, aircraft cabin and architectural environments.
• Aesthetic Sensitivity: Affinity to design trends in product and hospitality design and keen sense of brand language.
• Collaboration: The role requires a highly collaborative and proactive mentality to align with multiple stakeholders and drive concepts forward.
• Visualization and storytelling skills: Ability to visualize CMF concepts of products and environments in quick 2D sketch and fully developed 3D renderings. Impeccable presentation skills to craft a compelling narrative and visual storytelling.

1. Definition of material aesthetic and tactile direction for Etihad guest experience

• Big picture strategy and holistic vision across multiple touchpoints
• Lead material innovation initiatives through identification of opportunities and strategic development

2. Lead conceptual direction of material led soft products and hard products

• CMF design of onboard soft products and amenities
• CMF design support of new aircraft seat and cabin projects
• CMF design support of architectural environments

3. Manage product and material development

• Lead material and product development with internal partners and external suppliers for production, this can include new soft products or upgrades and replacements of existing materials within the aircraft cabins or ground spaces.
• Partner with project leads across multiple development teams
• Creation of CMF guidelines for ground, aircraft, product and service.
• Create and manage onsite material library that houses all Etihad in-production CMF samples and specifications
• Create a digital and physical data base of industry relevant materials.
• Establish and maintain supplier relationships and manage their representation in the physical material library.
• Organize supplier visits for new product demonstrations

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in the field of Design (Industrial, Interior, Transportation, Textile, Graphic) with specialized experience in Colour, Material, Finish design.
• 7 years of experience in CMF design in a consultancy or in-house capacity, ideally in aviation, automotive, hospitality or guest-experience-driven industries.
• Expert in storytelling and articulation of concepts.
• Strong interest in Design and Cultural trends
• Ability to lead and command respect as the subject matter expert.

Additional Information

Etihad Airways is more than the UAE’s national airline - we’re shaping the future of global aviation. From our hub in Abu Dhabi, we connect people across continents and cultures, while driving our “Journey 2030” ambition to double our fleet, expand our network and grow our people for a new era of excellence. Join us and become part of a vision where the world is your workplace and extraordinary experiences take flight.