Automotive Designer

Purpose of the Role:

The Purpose of a designer’s job, at any grade, is to generate and implement exciting and innovative design solutions that enhance the desirability, functionality and quality of the product.

The designer's role is to support the day to day design development and delivery process for the projects assigned to them. They report directly (informally and via weekly reviews) to the Design manager who is responsible for Co-ordinating the design content of all of the programmes and activities within the department.

 
Key Results Areas/ Responsibilities:

Designers will be “working” designers (i.e. they will be responsible for directly creating creative ideas and solutions via sketch) and may occasionally act as team leaders on smaller projects. This may require the direction of a modellers (CAS & Physical). They will also interface with other technical disciplines within the project.

Design Activities:

They will be accountable for:

• Delivering on the project Programme MTS & TTS phases (independently or as a leader of a project-based team)

Working on designs that:

• Innovate aesthetically and improve functionality and perceived quality
• Fulfil the programme requirements – This may be defined by a brief, Product profile or by direction from design reviews
• Conform to Budget and Time requirements of the project
• Comply to Design Quality standards
• Comply to process
• Creating and/or directing the production of the media associated with the design process - 2-D sketch work, 3-D CAS & Physical models – Scale and 1:1 (in Clay and Hard)

Design Process Activities:

• Being responsible for attending meetings related to the project
• Being responsible for carrying out presentations (when requested)
• Assisting with preparation for Client visits, design reviews, documentation, and promotional activities, where appropriate
   

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required:

• Automotive or Industrial Design degree
• Automotive Design MA (desirable)
• A good understanding of the key technical processes and legal criteria that influence the outcome of a design
• High proficiency with Photoshop and a good basic level of experience with Word and PowerPoint
• Experience of using Alias and Showcase
• A Good portfolio that demonstrates creative thinking and previous experience of interior or exterior programmes within the Automotive industry
• Prior experience of Design with Sports Cars and Premium sector vehicles

Personal Attributes:

• Outward going team player, highly self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of setting good example to the peer group
• Excellent level of Communication Skills
• Knowledge of a second language would be advantageous

Working Environment:

• The role is largely Design Studio based
• Programmes will be based at Hethel and will require regular interface with other departments and occasional visits to suppliers (sometimes outside UK)
• Some programmes, especially for 3rd Party work may also require regular travel and occasionally necessitate temporary relocation to another site

 
Decision Making Responsibilities:

• Best interpretation of Design intent
• Producing concept and industrialisation work (2-D and 3-D) that best answers the brief
• Implementing direction from Design reviews into the development of sketches, CAS, and Physical modelling
• Adaptation of design intent to suit technical criteria and feasibility
• Most efficient use of allocated resource