CMF Chief Designer

Geely Design Center Gothenburg; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 1,100,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 vacation days (+8 ATK)

Lindholmen Science Park office

Job summary

ZEEKR Design Gothenburg seeks a CMF Chief Designer to spearhead the strategic development of Color, Material and Finish across multiple programs, shaping cohesive CMF strategies that strengthen the brand and sustainability.

You will guide teams, align stakeholders, review CMF proposals, and ensure production readiness while collaborating with design leadership to elevate the user experience. Fluency in English is required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, Fine Arts, or equivalent.
• 10+ years CMF experience in automotive industry.
• Proven leadership and mentorship of designers.
• Experience managing cross-functional global teams and stakeholders.
• Track record delivering CMF strategies for production vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of complete CMF solutions across multiple concurrent projects with overlapping timelines
• Define and implement CMF strategies (Manifesto) aligned with overall design and brand direction
• Lead, mentor, and guide CMF program designers, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture
• Identify cross-project and cross-brand synergies, collaborating with Chief Designers and design leadership
• Drive long-term CMF strategy through research, innovation, and evolving consumer and societal trends
• Lead sustainability initiatives and material strategies through structured, fact-based approaches
• Oversee CMF development from early design stages (DSM0) to launch (J1) across multiple programs
• Align suppliers, engineering, and design teams to ensure feasibility and production readiness
• Independently review and approve CMF proposals, presentations, and production releases
• Act as a Brand ambassador representing CMF Design in media launches as well Design Boards, supporting or deputising Head of CMF Design

Skills

Strategic thinking

Program management

Leadership

CMF development knowledge

Communication skills

Generative AI awareness

Education

Master’s degree in Industrial/Transportation Design or equivalent

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

VRED

Blender

Rhino

Generative AI tools

Job description

About the Zeekr brand

Zeekr is Geely’s luxury EV brand and is committed to being a user-driven tech company. We create new ecosystems focused on innovation with users at the centre of operations.

\"We have a chance to define the values of the Zeekr brand first of all, and there are two statements that are important for its future: one is being human centric, and the other is about being technology driven. Both of these ideologies are pushing the design philosophy forward.\"- Stefan Sielaff, VP of Global Design, Geely Auto Group, Head of Zeekr Design & Head of Geely Design Center Gothenburg in Car Design News on Dec 12, 2022

About the team

We are a fast-growing team of both creative and management professionals with the task of delivering exciting global products suitable for volume production and innovative concepts. In an inspiring studio environment, we build and maintain a top-class design team of multiple nationalities. With best-in-class processes and tools, we challenge preconceptions and deliver premium car design.

As a CMF Chief Designer, you will lead the strategic development and execution of the Color, Material, and Finish vision across multiple programs. You will shape cohesive, future-oriented CMF strategies that strengthen brand identity, enhance sustainability, and elevate the overall design experience. This role operates at both strategic and operational levels, guiding teams, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring consistency across projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of complete CMF solutions across multiple concurrent projects with overlapping timelines

• Define and implement CMF strategies (Manifesto) aligned with overall design and brand direction

• Lead, mentor, and guide CMF program designers, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture

• Identify cross-project and cross-brand synergies, collaborating with Chief Designers and design leadership

• Drive long-term CMF strategy through research, innovation, and evolving consumer and societal trends

• Lead sustainability initiatives and material strategies through structured, fact-based approaches

• Oversee CMF development from early design stages (DSM0) to launch (J1) across multiple programs

• Align suppliers, engineering, and design teams to ensure feasibility and production readiness

• Independently review and approve CMF proposals, presentations, and production releases

• Act as a Brand ambassador representing CMF Design in media launches as well Design Boards, supporting or deputising Head of CMF Design

Experience

• Master’s degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, Fine Arts, or equivalent

• Minimum 10 years of professional CMF experience within automotive industry

• Demonstrated experience leading projects and mentoring designers

• Experience managing cross-functional global teams and stakeholders

• Proven track record delivering CMF strategies and concepts for production vehicles

Competence

• Strategic and forward-looking mindset with strong brand awareness

• Proven ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously

• Strong leadership and mentoring capability

• Deep understanding of CMF development processes and manufacturing feasibility

• Strong communication skills, both visual and verbal

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, VRED, Blender

• Experience with Rhino and generative AI tools is an advantage

• Fluency in English; Mandarin considered an asset

Working at ZEEKR Design

We are engineers, developers and innovators from around the world. Joined together by entrepreneurship, our unique blend of Chinese and Scandinavian culture and a belief in a smarter more sustainable future.

• Supportive and creative work environment

• 30 days of vacation and additional 8 days paid ATK- days annually

• Great office location at Lindholmen Science Park