Prototype Body and Paint Engineer

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.; Raymond (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid overtime

Regional bonus

Health benefits and 401(k)

Job summary

American Honda Motor Company, Inc. is seeking engineers to analyze prototype design and ensure quality during the New Model phase. You will collaborate with design and test teams to resolve issues, develop countermeasures, and support prototype builds.

The role requires a technical degree in engineering or science and up to 2 years of related experience; it emphasizes attention to detail, analytical thinking, and cross-functional teamwork in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Analyze design data, prototype builds, and part quality to identify concerns and implement effective solutions.
• Review Honda standards and design specs to ensure proper application and compliance.
• Collaborate with design and test teams to investigate issues, recommend corrective actions, and support design improvements.
• Develop tools, fixtures, and component modifications to improve performance, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional departments to plan prototype activities, schedules, and resource requirements.
• Support development and maintenance of process documentation, build procedures, and issue tracking during prototype projects.
• Assist with training team members on prototype build processes and best practices for high‑quality vehicle assembly.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance prototype development and build quality.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Prioritization

GD&T knowledge

CATIA CAD

Electrical troubleshooting

Mechanical troubleshooting

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related field

Tools

CATIA V5

Job description

Qualifications, Experience, And Skills

Minimum Education

What Makes a Honda, Is Who Makes a Honda

Honda has a clear vision for the future, and it’s a joyful one. We are looking for individuals with the skills, courage, persistence, and dreams that will help us reach our future-focused goals. At our core is innovation. Honda is constantly innovating and developing solutions to drive our business with record success. We strive to be a company that serves as a source of “power” that supports people around the world who are trying to do things based on their own initiative and that helps people expand their own potential. To this end, Honda strives to realize “the joy and freedom of mobility” by developing new technologies and an innovative approach to achieve a “zero environmental footprint.”

We are looking for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, continuous improvement values, and a strong work ethic to join our team.

If your goals and values align with Honda’s, we want you to join our team to Bring the Future!

Job Purpose

In this role you will be responsible for analyzing design and layout to confirm concerns/problems during the Prototype phase of New Model projects. You will provide technical engineering expertise to ensure the quality of the prototype vehicle and work with design and test associates to solve problems and develop countermeasures.

Key Accountabilities

Paint Prototype Development

• Surface, shape, and finish prototype vehicle bodies and components to meet design and styling specifications.
• Mix and match paint colors to factory standards, custom specifications, or existing vehicle finishes.
• Apply sealers, powder coatings, and A-rank paint finishes to achieve production-quality appearance standards.
• Collaborate with design, engineering, and testing teams to ensure prototype vehicles meet project objectives and design intent.

New Model Troubleshooting & Problem Solving

• Analyze CATIA design data, prototype builds, and part quality to identify potential concerns and implement effective solutions.
• Review and evaluate Honda Engineering Standards and design specifications to ensure proper application and compliance.
• Partner with design and test teams to investigate issues, recommend corrective actions, and support design improvements.
• Leverage prototype build expertise to develop tools, fixtures, and component modifications that improve performance, accuracy, and efficiency.

New Model Development Support

• Coordinate with cross-functional departments to plan prototype activities, schedules, and resource requirements.
• Support the development and maintenance of process documentation, build procedures, and issue tracking during prototype projects.
• Assist with training team members on prototype build processes and best practices to ensure high-quality vehicle assembly and efficient execution.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance prototype development, problem-solving, and build quality.

Qualifications, Experience, And Skills

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Minimum Experience

• 0-2 years of related work experience.
• Recent graduates with internship, co-op, laboratory, fabrication, or project experience are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Skills

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify and resolve quality concerns.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of vehicle body construction, sheet metal fabrication, and prototype build processes.
• Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Basic proficiency with CATIA V5 or similar CAD software.
• Basic electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.

Decisions Expected

• Design improvement problem solving
• Future equipment/resource planning
• Improvement Theme development

Working Conditions

• 40% office environment
• 50% lab environment
• 10% meeting attendance

Total Rewards

• Competitive Base Salary (pay will be based on several variables that include, but not limited to geographic location, work experience, etc.)
• Paid Overtime
• Regional Bonus (when applicable)
• Industry-leading Benefit Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, Rx)
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, shutdown
• Company Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401K Plan with company match + additional contribution
• Relocation assistance (if eligible)

Career Growth

• Advancement Opportunities
• Career Mobility
• Education Reimbursement for Continued Learning
• Training and Development programs

Additional Offerings

• Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Repayment
• Lifestyle Account
• Childcare Reimbursement Account
• Elder Care Support
• Wellbeing Program
• Community Service and Engagement Programs
• Product Programs

Honda is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.