Trim Engineer

Performance Seats, Inc.; Michigan; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Performance Seats, Inc. in Michigan is seeking a Trim Engineer to design, develop, and implement soft trim solutions for automotive seating, ensuring alignment with DNA, styling, and functional requirements.

You will manage BOMs, patterns, DFMEA, DVP&R, and APQP activities, collaborate with OEM studios, and support manufacturing with cost estimates, tooling, and QA processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Trim/Materials/Industrial engineering.
• 6+ years of trim engineering experience preferred.
• Knowledge of DFMEA, DVP&R, APQP, PPAP processes.
• Familiarity with ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 14000 standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Trim BOMs and color matrices.
• Create and release trim cover drawings and pattern development.
• Support manufacturing through sewing process guidance and tooling.
• Lead design reviews and coordinate cross-functional teams.

Skills

Leadership

Verbal and written communication

Time management

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Trim Engineering, Materials Engineering, or Industrial Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

CATIA V5

Optitex PDS

Job description

Summary

The Trim Engineer participates and is responsible for design, development, and implementation of Performance Seats soft trim. This individual will also help plan, design, and direct Performance Seats engineering trim programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Execute product and program engineering specifications, guidelines, customer and industrial requirements, governmental regulations, and customer expectations.
• Understand TPDM (Trim Product Data Management) or an equivalent system for all Program IDs, sewing components/materials, and miscellaneous items; create and maintain Trim BOM and color matrix.
• Know Optitex PDS patterning or an equivalent system and marker creation.
• Collaborate with OEM design studios to ensure Performance Seats design, styling themes, and specifications are met.
• Order and manage soft trim development materials for all programs, maintaining inventory and sample shop equipment and tools.
• Provide initial costing analysis and quoting support for soft trim components and sub‑assemblies; define requirements to meet SOW, engineering deliverables, project timing, team support, and budget.
• Support foam A‑Surface design and development to meet performance, comfort, and styling goals.
• Understand Performance Seats design specifications, DNA, and philosophy.
• Review all design information and drawings to verify completeness for project tasks and deliverables.
• Create and maintain Trim DFMEA, DVP&R, and other APQP/PAP documents.
• Maintain sew specifications and appearance guidelines for all cut & sew soft trim parts and assemblies.
• Develop bill of materials (prototype and production), tooling requirements, and determine internal and external project specifications; understand legal and regulatory requirements.
• Create and release trim cover drawings, paper and digitized pattern development; perform cut & sew construction techniques ensuring standards, selecting top cover materials, lamination, retainers, and attachment strategy.
• Determine material usage, scrap rates, and trim cover bill of materials.
• Support manufacturing engineers in sewing process and layout.
• Troubleshoot and resolve problems per complaint management process.
• Document and support styling properties and concept trim cover development; record seat measurements (including H' point) and coordinate test sample builds.
• Provide fitment and application support: 1‑off installation, measurement support, benchmarking, and teardown.
• Assist with manufacturing feasibility, production support, supplier training, and auditing.
• Engage in continuous learning and professional development to maintain current knowledge within the field and meet required compliance and regulatory job requirements.
• Adhere to Health, Safety, and Environmental standards and procedures; participate in investigations and 8‑D process as needed.
• Report occupational injuries, illnesses, accidents, hazardous, unsafe, and unhealthy conditions.
• Support Quality systems: ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 14000, following approved policies and procedures.
• Maintain Trim eBOM, including preliminary usage and utilization rates.
• Develop Trim patterns (creation and development).
• Create Master appearance samples (seat complete and master covers).
• Produce Trim drawings and specifications/requirements.
• Develop retainer and attachment concepts.
• Define Trim development timing and freeze dates.
• Deliver Trim CSO documentation.
• Develop embroidery logo designs.

Education and Experience

• 4‑year degree in Trim Engineering, Materials Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.
• Preferred: 6 years of trim engineering experience.
• Knowledge and practical application of Foam Skiving and A' surface management, ensuring comfort, design intent, and manufacturability; experience with paper and digitized pattern development.
• Basic knowledge of hand tools used to assemble seat complete.
• Knowledge and practical application of automotive cut & sew construction techniques, material and lamination selection, retainers, and attachment methods.
• Familiarity with DVP&R, DFMEA, DFM/A, 8‑D, APQP, PPAP, benchmarking, VA/VE, GD&T, AutoCAD, and CATIA V5.
• Familiarity with ISO/TS 16949 quality and ISO 14000 requirements and procedures.
• Familiarity with 5S processes and reporting requirements.
• Travel as needed.
• Must perform a sew test onsite during the onsite interview.

Communication Skills

• Strong leadership and supervisory ability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees, customers, and management.
• Strong time‑management, organizational, and presentation skills.

Computer Skills

• Proficient knowledge of MS Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear, with frequent use of hands and fingers to reach, pull, grasp, and stoop throughout the day.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Visual acuity to read instructions, operate a computer, operate machinery, and inspect products.

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment‑based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Performance Seats Clinton Inc./ Performance Seats Spartanburg LLC will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H‑1B, L‑1, TN, O‑1, E‑3, H‑1B1, F‑1, J‑1, OPT, CPT or any other employment‑based visa).