Prototype Trim Developer

Ford Motor Company; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 74,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Parental leave

Vehicle discount

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is Hiring a Prototype Trim Developer in Dearborn, MI to translate concepts into functional high‑fidelity prototypes for the next generation of Ford and Lincoln vehicle content. You’ll work with design and engineering teams to ensure feasible trim solutions within prototype manufacturing constraints.

The role requires deep automotive systems knowledge, creative thinking, and strong pattern/trim development skills, with a focus on rapid iteration and collaborative prototyping.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 4+ years in automotive trim development.
• 4+ years sewing on industrial machinery.
• 4+ years 2D pattern software experience.
• 3+ years collaborating with design and engineering.
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator to prep files.

Responsibilities

• Sew on production sewing machines including walking foot, lock stitch, overcasting and pedestal.
• Develop patterns for soft and hard trim (seats, IPs, door panels, consoles, headliners, steering wheel, flooring).
• Digitize and refine patterns in 2D software (Accumark, Tukatech).
• Wrap hard parts, IPs, door panels, consoles, headliners, steering wheel, flooring aligning to design intent.
• Develop, plan and execute foam/structure modifications for late changes; operate digital cutter (Zund) and embroidery machines.
• Provide input to prototype build timing plans ensuring on-time delivery and quality.
• Collaborate with design, engineering, and fabrication to build prototypes per design intent.

Skills

Automotive trim dev

Industrial sewing

Pattern software

Digital cutting

Adobe Illustrator

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Fast-paced

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Accumark

Tukatech

Zund cutter

Embroidery machines

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. We also believe in providing you with the freedom to define and realize your dreams. With our incredible plans for the future, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career potential as you help us define tomorrow.

Do you have what it takes to make smart vehicles for a smart world? Join the Ford Product Development team. Utilizing Design Thinking & User Experience methods, you’ll work to deliver breakthrough products and services that delight our customers. We’re seeking forward-thinking, laser-focused professionals with a passion for bringing innovative, exciting, and sustainable ideas to life.

In this position...

As a Prototype Trim Developer, you will have the opportunity to translate concepts into reality in the form of functional high-fidelity prototypes. Leveraging your expertise in automotive design and/or engineering, you will have the opportunity to see the future of Ford firsthand and play a pivotal role in the early-stage development of the next generation of Ford & Lincoln vehicle content and experiences. This role requires a deep understanding of automotive systems and subsystems, ability to think creatively and develop trim solutions that are feasible relative to prototype manufacturing processes.

This role is in office 5 days/week in Dearborn, MI

What you'll do...

• Sewing on production sewing machines including walking foot, lock stitch, overcasting double needle and pedestal.
• Develop patterns for soft and hard trim, including seats, IPs, door panels, consoles, headliners, steering wheel and flooring. Ability to account for complex curves, wide range of materials and achieve final fit within 1-2 revisions.
• Digitize patterns and refining them in 2D software such as Accumark and TukatechWrapping of hard parts, IPs, door panels, consoles, headliners, steering wheel and flooring. Ability to deliver design intent regarding seam and feature placement.
• Develop, plan and execute foam and structure modifications to support late changes.Operate digital cutter such as Zund as well as PAX perforation and embroidery machines.
• Provide input and support development of prototype build timing plans - delivering properties on time and with quality to support milestones
• Work collaboratively with design, engineering and fabrication to design, engineer and build prototypes, aligned to design intent and program maturity
• Identify areas of opportunity and process efficiencies and action as appropriate
• Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to continuously improve prototype build processes
• General ability to abide by shop rules and safety requirements.

You’ll have...

• Bachelors or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 4+ year of experience in automotive trim development with a focus on rapid iterations
• 4+ years of experience sewing on industrial machinery
• 4+ years of experience working on 2D pattern development software
• 4+ years of experience working in automotive engineering and/or design with a strong understanding of vehicle level systems and subsystems
• 3+ years of experience with digital cutting software and hardware
• 3+ years of experience working collaboratively with design and engineering
• Experience using Adobe Illustrator to prep files for perforation and embroidery machines
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Respectfully accepts constructive criticism

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• Generous vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day

This position is a salary grade 6-7 and ranges from $74,300-$144,900.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

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