Color & Material Designer

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

3d • $74,300 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Color & Material Designer to join their Design team. This role will be at the forefront of designing people and society’s needs into the next generation of Ford products, services, and experiences. The Color & Material team is responsible for leading design for current and future customers across various Ford brands and vehicle types, including Battery Electric Vehicles, Commercial vehicles, Trucks, Compact trucks, Icons, Passenger vehicles/utilities, Luxury, and Emerging Markets. The designer will create, curate, and deliver Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) solutions that enhance the automotive landscape by specifying CMF applications on the exterior and interior of vehicles to create a distinct look and experience. This position is located in Dearborn, MI, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring 4 days per week in the office.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Color and Material Design or any other related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years of related work experience with a Master’s degree or 5 years of related work experience with a Bachelor’s degree.
• Automotive CMF Design experience is required
• 3D visualization skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse disciplines.
• Highly collaborative and proactive both internally and externally.
• Ability to effectively communicate in a wide range of formats for presenting future design strategies.
• Knowledge of the Colors and Materials design process.
• Must be self-motivated, adaptable, flexible, and able to multi-task.
• Demonstrated understanding of color theory (hue, value, chroma, etc.).
• Proficient in Adobe Suit tools (i.e. Photoshop, Illustrator, VRED) and Microsoft Suit tools (i.e. PowerPoint, Excel)
• Experience leveraging generative AI tools to accelerate early-stage design ideation.
• Demonstrated capability in strategy creation and stewarding, with the ability to guide long-term design visions from initial concept through to successful implementation.
• Knowledge of materials innovation and emerging technologies.
• Proven experience in color development.
• Strong capability in trend-based research and forecasting, with the ability to synthesize insights from into actionable CMF strategies.
• Portfolio of your work is required

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree (preferred) in Industrial Design, Color and Material Design or any other related discipline
• Expertise and knowledge of 3D prototyping, property builds, etc.
• Working level knowledge of fabrics and trims associated with the development process.

Responsibilities

• Creates, curates, and delivers Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) solutions and specifies all CMF applications on the exterior and interior of the vehicles.
• Ideates and creates overall CMF design using concepts that embody a creative narrative, advanced functionality, and innovative user experience.
• Ensures integration of complex CMF into the overall vehicle design and alignment with cross-functional teams across all stages of design.
• Collaborates with external vendors and internal teams to translate new designs into visual samples to validate feasibility and functionality.
• Partners with teammates in analysis of future consumer trends to identify brand relevant CMF narratives that inform cutting-edge CMF design solutions.
• Develops digital and physical CMF presentations that embody the creative narrative and accurately depict design intent.
• Supports all program timing, ensuring program and project deliverables are met within the program targets.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level