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