Product Designer

Performance Seats, Inc.; Michigan; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Performance Seats, Inc. seeks a CAD-focused design engineer to design and shape seating products for OEMs, commercial vehicles, and motorsports.

You will use CAD to create 3D models and 2D drawings, meeting client requirements and integrating aesthetics with functionality. The role involves cross-functional collaboration with engineering, marketing, and production, presenting design proposals, and occasional travel to client facilities to assess production feasibility.

Qualifications

• Technical School degree / certified professional CAD training.
• At least 3 years of experience in the field or related area.
• Background in seat complete engineering and design.
• CAD techniques in surfacing, models, assembly, and 2D drafting.
• Knowledge and experience in FTP / Data Exchange Protocol.
• 3D experience PLM / Team Center background.
• Catia V5 required, UG NX helpful but not required.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Computer knowledge or aptitude (MS Office, Excel or equivalent).
• ERP software system; PLEX preferred.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients to establish design requirements, including concept, performance and production criteria, and scope of work.
• Develop design concepts using CAD; sketch initial design ideas.
• Take part in multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Produce detailed drawings with part requirements and all specifications, and part lists.
• Participate to verify the design by samples or working models.
• Understand/use testing methods to verify and validate the design concept by modeling or hands-on testing of models.
• Problem-solving and finding solutions to mechanical problems.
• Arrange meetings and liaise with engineers and other departments to discuss production processes, costs and issues.
• Occasionally travel to clients' production facilities and evaluate feasibility of production.
• Make presentations to senior design management or clients when bidding for a contract or to present proposals.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Technical School degree / certified CAD training

Tools

CATIA V5

UG NX

PLM/Teamcenter

MS Office

Excel

FTP / Data Exchange Protocol

PLEX ERP

Job description

Overview

Employs a range of creative design, craft and engineering skills and processes to design and shape products for a variety of OEM, commercial vehicle driver and aftermarket, including motorsports and seating products. Must be able to balance innovative engineering design, functional requirements and aesthetic appeal in product design. Utilize computer aided design (CAD) to create 3D models and 2D technical drawings.

Key Responsibilities

• Meeting or communicating with clients to establish the design requirements, including the concept, performance and production criteria, and scope of work.
• Developing design concepts using CAD (computer-aided design); sketching initial design ideas.
• Taking part in multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Producing detailed drawings with part requirements and all specifications, and part lists.
• Participating to verify the design by utilization of samples or working models.
• Understanding/using testing methods to verify and validate the design concept by use of computerized modeling or physical hands‑on testing of models.
• Problem‑solving and finding solutions to sometimes complex mechanical problems.
• Arranging/participating in meetings and liaising with engineers and other departments, including marketing, to discuss and negotiate appropriate production processes, costs and commercial issues.
• Occasionally traveling to clients' production facilities and evaluating the feasibility of production.
• Making presentations to senior design management or clients, either when bidding for a contract or to present design proposals.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience & Qualifications

• Technical School degree / certified professional CAD training.
• At least 3 years of experience in the field or in a related area.
• Background, knowledge, skill, and experience of seat complete engineering and design.
• CAD techniques in surfacing, models, assembly, and 2D drafting is required.
• Knowledge and experience in FTP / Data Exchange Protocol is required.
• 3D experience PLM / Team Center background is required.
• Catia V5 required, & UG NX helpful but not required.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Computer knowledge or aptitude (MS Office, Excel or equivalent).
• ERP software system; PLEX preferred.