Lead Exterior Designer

Envisage Recruitment Limited; Coventry; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Envisage Recruitment Limited is seeking a Lead Exterior Designer to define and deliver world-class design concepts for luxury automotive brands. You will lead the creative development of exterior design, guiding a multidisciplinary team to translate brand DNA into premium concepts for current and future programmes.

You will mentor designers, collaborate across engineering and programme teams, and push boundaries in sustainability, materials, and digital integration while maintaining project

Qualifications

• Degree in Automotive Design, Transportation Design, Industrial Design, or related discipline.
• Proven track record in automotive interior or exterior design, luxury sector preferred.
• Experience leading design projects from concept to production.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Excellent visual communication skills: sketching, presentation and storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of interior or exterior design concepts from ideation to production.
• Translate brand vision into premium interior or exterior experiences across vehicle programmes.
• Direct and mentor a design team, fostering creativity and collaboration.
• Collaborate with Engineering, HMI, Colour & Materials, Studio Engineering and Programme teams.
• Present design proposals and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Drive innovation in luxury materials, ergonomics, sustainability and digital integration.
• Ensure designs meet quality, timing and programme requirements.
• Oversee sketches, digital models, renderings and physical models to communicate intent.
• Monitor automotive luxury and lifestyle trends to direct future design direction.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Visual communication

Time management

Creative balance

Education

Degree in Automotive Design or related discipline

Tools

Alias

Blender

VRED

Job description

Lead Exterior Designer

Envisage Recruitment Limited West Midlands, England, United Kingdom (On-site)

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Design Director, the Lead Interior Designer will play a pivotal role in defining and delivering world-class interior or exterior design concepts across current and future programmes. This position offers the opportunity to lead the creative development of luxury automotive interiors, ensuring every detail reflects the brand's DNA while pushing the boundaries of innovation, sustainability, and user experience.

The successful candidate will inspire multidisciplinary teams, collaborate closely with engineering and programme management functions, and contribute to the creation of iconic vehicles that exceed customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• * Lead the development of interior or exterior design concepts from initial ideation through to production implementation.
• * Translate the brand vision into compelling, premium interior or exterior experiences across vehicle programmes.
• * Direct and mentor a team of interior or exterior designers, fostering creativity, collaboration, and excellence.
• * Collaborate with Engineering, HMI, Colour & Materials, Studio Engineering, and Programme teams to ensure design feasibility and successful delivery.
• * Present design proposals and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• * Drive innovation in luxury materials, craftsmanship, ergonomics, sustainability, and digital integration.
• * Ensure all interior designs meet quality, timing, and programme requirements while maintaining the highest aesthetic standards.
• * Oversee the creation of sketches, digital models, renderings, and physical models to communicate design intent.
• * Monitor emerging automotive, luxury, and lifestyle trends to identify opportunities for future design direction.
• * Support supplier engagement and the evaluation of new technologies and manufacturing techniques.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished automotive designer with a passion for creating exceptional customer experiences and a proven ability to lead creative teams in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Requirements

• * Degree qualified in Automotive Design, Transportation Design, Industrial Design, or a related discipline.
• * 5+ years of experience in automotive interior or exterior design, ideally within a luxury automotive environment.
• * Demonstrable experience leading design projects from concept through to production.
• * Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.
• * Excellent visual communication skills, including sketching, presentation, and storytelling.
• * Proficiency in industry-standard design software and digital modelling tools.
• * Deep understanding of automotive packaging, ergonomics, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• * Ability to balance creative ambition with technical and commercial considerations.
• * Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Desirable Requirements

• * Experience working within luxury or high-performance automotive brands.
• * Knowledge of sustainable materials and future mobility trends.
• * Familiarity with Alias, Blender, VRED, or other relevant automotive design tools.
• * Experience presenting to executive leadership teams and external partners.