Seat Trim Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Seat Trim Engineer building, troubleshooting, and perfecting automotive seat trim systems at Ford. A hands-on role for a technician eager to advance engineering skills involving CAD and product development processes.

Posted 6/2/2026full-timeLong Beach • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $118,700 - $198,500 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Assembly

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build and Prototype Seat Trim: Cut, sew, wrap, and assemble high-quality trim covers for cushions, seat backs, headrests, armrests, and full seat systems.
Hands-On Craftsmanship & Quality: Perform detailed fit checks, tension adjustments, stitching evaluations, and surface inspections.
Support Testing and Validation: Assemble seats for durability, wear, environmental, and crash testing.
Contribute to Engineering & Design: Use your practical experience to provide real-world feedback on patterns, material choices, and assembly methods.
Material & Process Experimentation: Help evaluate new fabrics, foams, stitching techniques, and automation opportunities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with design/styling, seat engineers, manufacturing teams, and program managers.
Continuous Improvement: Proactively suggest and help implement changes that make builds faster, cleaner, or higher quality.
Documentation & Organization: Maintain accurate build records, patterns, BOMs, and test notes.
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.
Release and Validate Designs: Define component specifications, interface documents, and requirements.
Craftsmanship and Quality Assurance: Conduct hands-on inspections for wrinkles, tension, alignment, stitching quality, and overall seat appearance.
Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Work closely with styling, engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and program teams.
Process Improvement: Support industrialization efforts, including sewing processes, automated cutting, and assembly methods.
Documentation and Compliance: Maintain accurate drawings, patterns, bills of materials (BOMs), and test reports.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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 Year’s Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

seat trim design2D flat patterns3D modelingmaterial selectionstitching techniquesquality assuranceprototype assemblyfit checkstension adjustmentsdocumentation

Soft Skills

problem-solvinganalytical skillscommunicationteamworkattention to detailcross-functional collaborationcontinuous improvementcraftsmanshiporganizational skillsfeedback provision

Certifications

Associate degree of Science/Applied ScienceB.S. in Mechanical EngineeringB.S. in Industrial EngineeringB.S. in Materials EngineeringB.S. in Automotive Engineering