Senior Automotive Interior Design Specialist

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Bonus opportunities

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Polokwane, Limpopo is seeking a Senior Automotive Interior Design Specialist to lead concepts from sketch to production, focusing on ergonomics, aesthetics, and user experience. You will translate market trends and brand identity into compelling interior environments.

The role requires 6+ years of automotive interior design, a strong portfolio, and proficiency in Alias, Blender, VRED, and Adobe Creative Suite. A hybrid work setup supports collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in automotive interior design.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing innovative automotive interior designs.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design software (e.g., Alias, Blender, VRED, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Strong understanding of ergonomics, human factors, and user experience principles in automotive interiors.
• Knowledge of automotive materials, manufacturing processes, and CMF application.
• Excellent visual communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site and remote work.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of interior design concepts for new vehicle programs from sketch to production.
• Create high-quality renderings, digital models, and physical mock-ups to visualize design proposals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, marketing, and product planning.
• Research and analyze interior design trends, competitor activities, and customer preferences.
• Define interior color, material, and trim (CMF) strategies.
• Ensure designs meet ergonomic, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Present design concepts and strategies to internal stakeholders and management.
• Work closely with clay modelers and digital modelers to refine design surfaces.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall creative vision of the team.

Skills

Ergonomics

User experience

CMF application

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design

Bachelor's degree in Transportation Design

Master's degree (related field)

Tools

Alias

Blender

VRED

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a creative and experienced Senior Automotive Interior Design Specialist to join their innovative design studio located in Polokwane, Limpopo . This role is responsible for conceptualizing and developing compelling interior designs for future automotive models, focusing on user experience, ergonomics, aesthetics, and functionality. You will translate market trends, brand identity, and customer needs into visually stunning and practical interior environments. This hybrid position allows for significant collaboration within the design team while providing flexibility. If you possess a keen eye for design, a passion for automotive interiors, and a proven track record of delivering exceptional design solutions, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of interior design concepts for new vehicle programs from sketch to production.
• Create high-quality renderings, digital models, and physical mock-ups to visualize design proposals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, marketing, and product planning.
• Research and analyze interior design trends, competitor activities, and customer preferences.
• Define interior color, material, and trim (CMF) strategies.
• Ensure designs meet ergonomic, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Present design concepts and strategies to internal stakeholders and management.
• Work closely with clay modelers and digital modelers to refine design surfaces.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall creative vision of the team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in automotive interior design.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing innovative automotive interior designs.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design software (e.g., Alias, Blender, VRED, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Strong understanding of ergonomics, human factors, and user experience principles in automotive interiors.
• Knowledge of automotive materials, manufacturing processes, and CMF application.
• Excellent visual communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site and remote work.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and design bonus opportunities.
• Hybrid work flexibility to support work-life balance.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement plans.
• Opportunities for professional growth and creative development.
• Work with a renowned automotive brand on exciting future models.
• A creative and collaborative design culture.