Seat Trim Engineer

We made history and now we work to transform the future for our customers our communities and our families. Youll see your work on the road every day helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Fords Electric Vehicles Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the companys vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed entrepreneurial and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. Youll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively staying focused on only what matters and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.

In this position...
As a hands-on Seat Trim Technician youll dive right into building troubleshooting and perfecting automotive seat trim systems. This is a role for someone who loves getting their hands dirty takes pride in flawless craftsmanship and is genuinely excited to grow into more engineering responsibilities. Youll start strong on the floor while actively contributing ideas that shape better designs processes and products.

This is a fantastic role for a motivated technician who is hungry to progress their engineering skills including learning CAD tools design principles and full product development processes while continuing to thrive on the hands-on side. If you love turning raw materials into beautiful functional seats and want your ideas to influence future programs this is the perfect place to grow.

• Build and Prototype Seat Trim: Cut sew wrap and assemble high-quality trim covers for cushions seat backs headrests armrests and full seat systems. Work directly with foams frames substrates and a wide range of materials (leather fabric vinyl etc.) to create show-quality prototypes and production-intent samples.
• Hands-On Craftsmanship & Quality: Perform detailed fit checks tension adjustments stitching evaluations and surface inspections. Hunt down and resolve wrinkles puckering alignment issues or material challenges to deliver seats that look and feel exceptional.
• Support Testing and Validation: Assemble seats for durability wear environmental and crash testing. Document results identify failure modes and help implement fixes quickly.
• Contribute to Engineering & Design: Use your practical experience to provide real-world feedback on patterns material choices and assembly methods. Collaborate on 2D pattern development 3D trim design refinements and process improvements. Bring forward innovative ideas that reduce cost improve manufacturability or enhance comfort and appearance.
• Material & Process Experimentation: Help evaluate new fabrics foams stitching techniques and automation opportunities. Work side-by-side with suppliers and engineers to qualify materials and optimize sewing/assembly workflows.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with design/styling seat engineers manufacturing teams and program managers. Be the voice of practical reality in meetings while enthusiastically supporting new concepts from the ground up.
• Continuous Improvement: Proactively suggest and help implement changes that make builds faster cleaner or higher quality. Take ownership of trimming-related problem-solving and contribute to DFMEA/PFMEA discussions lessons-learned sessions and cost/weight reduction initiatives.
• Documentation & Organization: Maintain accurate build records patterns BOMs and test notes. Help keep the trim shop clean safe and running efficiently.
• Design and Develop Seat Trim Components: Create and optimize 2D flat patterns 3D trim covers and soft trim designs for seat cushions backs headrests armrests and related components using CAD tools and pattern-making software.
• Material Selection and Sourcing: Evaluate select and qualify fabrics leathers vinyl foams and other trim materials in collaboration with suppliers balancing durability appearance cost comfort and regulatory compliance.
• Prototype and Build Seats: Cut sew assemble and install trim covers onto seat frames foams and substrates. Participate in full seat builds including mechanical assembly and fitment verification.
• Release and Validate Designs: Define component specifications interface documents and requirements. Lead or support design release processes DFMEA/PFMEA activities and validation testing (durability wear environmental crash etc.).
• Craftsmanship and Quality Assurance: Conduct hands-on inspections for wrinkles tension alignment stitching quality and overall seat appearance. Troubleshoot and resolve fit finish or manufacturing issues to achieve flawless craftsmanship.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Work closely with styling engineering manufacturing suppliers and program teams to ensure seamless integration of trim with overall seat and vehicle systems.
• Process Improvement: Support industrialization efforts including sewing processes automated cutting and assembly methods. Contribute to cost reduction weight optimization and manufacturability improvements.
• Documentation and Compliance: Maintain accurate drawings patterns bills of materials (BOMs) and test reports. Ensure all work complies with OEM standards safety regulations and quality systems (e.g. IATF 16949).

Youll have...

• Associate degree of Science/Applied Science (AAS) in Automotive Technology or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 5 years of experience designing and developing seat trim components.
• 3 years of experience using 3D CAD and trim software collaboratively (Catia V5/V6 3DX Optitex Master trim etc.)
• Experience in the production release process
• Experience in a factory setting launching a new product

Even better you may have...

• B.S. in Mechanical or Industrial or Materials or Automotive Engineering (Preferred but not essential)
• Proficiency in CAD Dassault Systems 3DX CATIA for 3D modeling and design.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical principles materials science and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with automotive industry standards and regulations.
• Understanding of ergonomics and human factors in seating design.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Attention to detail and a focus on delivering high-quality solutions.
• Previous experience in the automotive industry or with seating systems is preferred but not mandatory.

You may not check every box or your experience may look a little different from what weve outlined but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company we encourage you to apply!

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 builderor 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
Flexible family care days paid parental leave new parent ramp-up programs subsidized back-up child care 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
A generous schedule of paid holidays including the week between Christmas and New Years Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $118700-$198500.

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $138800-$232700.

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

For more information on salary and benefits click here: sponsorship is 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 the United States if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability please call 1-.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-BB1 #UEV