Manager, Digital Modeling

Mazda • Irvine, CA

20h • Remote

About The Position

The Manager, Digital Modeling provides leadership for all 3D modeling activities. This role supports exterior, interior, accessory and brand design by setting direction, establishing standards, and actively contributing to the development of high-quality digital models that advance Mazda's design vision. The Manager is accountable for delivering best in-class digital models and visualizations used for executive reviews, design evaluations, and physical model development across production and advanced design programs. This position partners closely with cross-functional teams including exterior and interior design, accessories, brand, clay modeling, and visualization to align workflows, timelines, and deliverables while continuously improving processes, tools, and techniques.

Requirements

• 8+ years experience of digital modeling in the automotive industry supporting exterior, interior, accessory, and brand design required
• Bachelor Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) Industrial Design Preferred
• An equivalent mix of education, training, and/or work experience may be considered in place of a degree
• Advanced knowledge of design processes, including digital-to-physical model development workflows (Advanced-Authority)
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and guide cross-functional teams (Advanced-Authority)
• Proven capability to introduce and implement innovative, efficient fabrication and modeling processes that improve quality and throughput (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Ability to align projects strategically with design objectives, timelines, and program priorities (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Skilled in managing multiple projects while maintaining quality, accuracy, and delivery commitments (Advanced-Authority)
• Excellent verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey design intent, technical direction and feedback (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Strong ability to apply advanced analysis and sound judgement to resolve complex technical, creative, and operational challenges (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Ability to exercise independent judgement, creativity, and discretion in support of design and business goals (Intermediate-Advanced)

Responsibilities

• Digital Model Oversight Provide oversight of digital model development activities, partnering with key stakeholders to define scope, priorities, and detailed work plans that align with design intent and program objectives. Establish and maintain schedules, milestones, and delivery targets to ensure digital modeling outputs meet quality, timing and project requirements. Coordinates digital modeling activities across internal teams and external partners including MNAO, MDE, & MC) to ensure workflow alignment and execution. Participate in design reviews where digital models are reviewed, both scheduled and informal workstation reviews, as required.
• Digital Model Creation Actively contribute to the hands-on creation of digital models supporting all facet of Mazda design, including exterior, interior, accessories, and brand. Utilize a range of advanced digital modeling tools to deliver efficient, high-quality outputs including Alias, Blender, Maya, Sub-D, and other relevant software. Deliver accurate, tool-ready digital data to the clay modeling team and 3D printer to support physical model execution. Provide precise and complete data to external vendors to enable hard model creation that meets design and quality standards.
• Design Visualization Lead visualization efforts utilizing a range of advanced tools to support exterior, interior, accessory and brand design needs. Partner directly with designers to ensure visualizations meet the highest standards of quality and accuracy and are prepared for senior executive review. Delegates and manages workflows across the team to ensure efficient execution, accuracy and timely delivery of outputs. Introduce and apply innovative visualization techniques, processes, and emerging CGI practices.
• People Management and Development Provide guidance, training and mentorship to team members on digital modeling design techniques, tools and processes. Foster a professional, collaborative, and creative environment that supports employee development, motivation and elevates overall deliverables. Responsible for employment decision, salary and promotional recommendations, training and appraising performance, promptly and appropriately addressing deficient performance and/or inappropriate behaviors by working with upper management and Human Resources. Coach and manage performance and promote a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, quality, and accountability. Lead weekly departmental meetings to align and optimize clay & digital modeling and fabrication group activities. Lead continuous improvement of workflows, tools, and processes to enhance efficiency and adapt to evolving MNAO business needs. Perform other duties as assigned Comply with all policies and standards The preceding functions have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees