Color & Material Designer

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

6d • $74,300 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters. Join us in shaping the future of Ford Motor Company, as part of a global organization with exceptional colleagues in world-class facilities. As part of Ford Design, you’ll be at the cutting edge of Ford’s most strategically critical work, designing people and society’s needs into the heart of our next generation of products, services, and experiences. Join our Color & Material team to lead design for current and future customers of the Ford brands product line up, including Battery Electric Vehicle, Commercial vehicles, Trucks, Compact trucks, Icons, Passenger vehicle/utilities, Luxury, and Emerging Markets. Our Color & Material Designer creates, curates, and delivers Color, Material and Finish (CMF) solutions that influence and enhance the current automotive landscape. This role is responsible in specifying all CMF applications on the exterior and interior of the vehicles that bring a distinct look and experience to the automobile. This position will be located in Dearborn, MI and will be in office 4 days/week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Color and Material Design or any other related discipline.
• Minimum 2 year 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 preferred
• 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

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.
• Ideate and create overall CMF design using concepts that embody a creative narrative, advanced functionality, and innovative user experience.
• Ensure integration of complex CMF into the overall vehicle design and alignment with cross-functional teams across all stages of design.
• Collaborate with external vendors and internal teams to translate new designs into visual samples to validate feasibility and functionality.
• Partner with teammates in analysis of future consumer trends to identify brand relevant CMF narratives that inform cutting-edge CMF design solutions.
• Develop 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 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.

What This Job Offers

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