Automotive Styling Designer

Automotive Styling Designer (CAS & Class A Surfacing)

Location: Nappanee, Indiana, USA

Experience: 5-7 Years

About the Role

We are seeking a highly creative and technically skilled Automotive Styling Designer with strong expertise in concept sketching and Autodesk Alias Class A surfacing. The ideal candidate will be responsible for translating design intent into production-feasible digital models and contributing across the full automotive styling development lifecycle-from early ideation to final surface release.

This role requires a strong balance of design creativity, technical surfacing expertise, and collaboration with engineering and styling teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality automotive sketches (2D/3D) to explore form, proportion, and design themes
• Develop advanced exterior and/or interior theme proposals
• Communicate design intent through sketches, digital renderings, and presentations
• Collaborate with design leads to refine and evolve styling directions
• Develop high-quality CAS and Class A surfaces using Autodesk Alias
• Translate sketches and clay models/scans into digital surface models
• Perform surface refinement, including G2/G3 continuity and reflection quality analysis
• Ensure production-feasible Class A surfaces that meet engineering requirements
• Collaborate with engineering and styling teams to align design and feasibility
• Participate in design reviews and incorporate feedback into iterations
• Manage multiple design iterations efficiently under tight deadlines

Required Skills & Expertise

• Strong experience in CAS modeling and Class A surfacing using Autodesk Alias
• Deep understanding of surface continuity: G0, G1, G2, G3
• Strong knowledge of patch layout and surface construction strategy
• Expertise in reflection quality and highlight analysis
• Understanding of tooling feasibility and engineering constraints
• Ability to translate sketch concepts into high-quality digital models
• Strong visualization, communication, and presentation skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or related field
• 5-7 years of experience in automotive or industrial design modeling
• Prior experience with OEMs or Tier-1 automotive suppliers preferred
• Strong portfolio demonstrating CAS modeling and Class A surfacing work is mandatory
• Portfolio must be submitted along with resume for consideration

Nice to Have

• Experience working in automotive styling studios
• Exposure to full vehicle development cycles
• Knowledge of engineering collaboration workflows
• Experience in concept visualization tools beyond Alias