Trim Engineer

Performance Seats•Clinton Twp, MI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Trim Engineer participates and is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of Performance Seats soft trim. This individual will also help plan, design, and direct Performance Seats engineering trim programs. The role involves ensuring product execution meets engineering specifications, guidelines, customer and industrial requirements, governmental regulations, and customer expectations. Responsibilities include managing product data, creating Bills of Materials (BOMs), maintaining color matrices, and utilizing patterning software for marker creation. The engineer will collaborate with OEM design studios, manage development materials, provide costing analysis, and support foam A-Surface design. A key aspect is understanding Performance Seats' design specifications, DNA, and philosophy, and reviewing design information for completeness. The role requires creating and maintaining trim DFMEA, DVP&R, and other APQP/PAP documents, as well as maintaining sew specifications and appearance guidelines. Developing BOMs, tooling requirements, and understanding legal/regulatory requirements are also crucial. The engineer will create and release trim cover drawings, develop patterns, and ensure automotive cut & sew construction techniques meet Performance Seats standards. This includes selecting top cover materials, identifying attachment strategies, determining material usage, and supporting manufacturing engineers in sewing processes. Troubleshooting, documenting styling properties, coordinating test builds, supporting installations, benchmarking, and embroidery development are also part of the role. The engineer will engage in continuous learning, adhere to safety and environmental standards, and participate in quality management systems (ISO/TS 16949, ISO14000).

Requirements

4-year degree Trim Engineering, Materials Engineering or Industrial Engineering.
6 Years of trim engineering experience preferred
Knowledge and practical application with Foam Skiving and A' surface management.
Ensure comfort, design intent, and manufacturability experience preferred /Paper and digitized pattern development
Basic knowledge of hand tools used to assemble seat complete.
Knowledge and practical application of Automotive Cut & Sew construction techniques, Materials and Lamination selection, retainer and proper attachment methods.
Familiar with DVP&R, DFMEA, DFM/A, 8-D, APQP, PPAP, Benchmarking, VA/VE, GD&T, AutoCad, CATIA V5
Familiar with ISO/TS16949 quality & ISO 14000 requirements and procedures.
Familiar with 5S processes and reporting requirements
Must perform a sew test onsite during onsite interview
Must demonstrate strong leadership and supervisory ability
Must demonstrate strong verbal and written skills as well as the ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees, customers, and management
Strong ability to manage time effectively along with strong organizational and presentation skills
Proficient knowledge of MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Performance Seats Clinton Inc./ Performance Seats Spartanburg LLC will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Nice To Haves

Travel as needed

Responsibilities

Responsible for product /program execution of engineering specifications, guidelines, customer & industrial requirements, governmental regulations, customer expectations, etc.
Understanding of TPDM (Trim Product Data Management) or Equivalent, for all Program ID's, Sewing Components/Materials and miscellaneous.
Trim BOM Creation and Color Matrix Maintenance/Updates.
Knowledgeable in Optitex PDS patterning or Equivalent and Marker creation.
Work closely with OEM design studios to ensure Performance Seats design/styling themes and specifications are met.
Order and manage - including inventory - soft trim development materials for all programs and sample shop equipment and tools.
Phase 1 support: provide initial costing analysis & quoting support of the soft trim components and sub-assemblies.
Participate to help define requirements to meet SOW, engineering deliverables, project timing, project team support, and necessary budget.
Support foam A-Surface design & development to meet Performance Seats seating design, comfort and styling.
Understand Performance Seats design specifications, DNA, and philosophy.
Review all design information and drawings - inputs - to verify completeness to meet project tasks and deliverables - outputs.
Responsible to create and maintain trim DFMEA, DVP&R, and other related APQP /PAP documents.
Maintain sew specifications and appearance guidelines for all Performance Seats cut & sew soft trim parts and assemblies.
Develop bill of materials (prototype & production), tooling requirements, determine internal and external project specifications, understand legal and regulatory requirements.
Responsible to create and release trim cover drawings, paper and digitized pattern development.
Perform basic to complex automotive cut & sew construction techniques ensuring Performance Seats sew standards, methods, and themes; Selection of top cover materials and identify appropriate lamination, retainers, & attachment strategy.
Determine material usage, scrap rates and trim cover bill of materials.
Support manufacturing engineers in sewing process and sewing layout.
Support: Troubleshooting & problem resolution per complaint management process.
Document / support styling properties and concept trim cover development; Seat measurements (including H' Point) and reporting /Test sample build coordination.
Performance Seats fitments / applications: 1-off-installation & measurement support / Benchmarking & teardown.
Embroidery - Logo development.
Manufacturing feasibility, support production + supplier training and auditing
Engage in continuous learning and professional development to maintain current knowledge within the field to meet required compliance and regulatory job requirements
Adhere to all Health, Safety and Environmental standards and procedures.
Participate in investigations and 8D process as needed.
Report occupational injuries, illnesses and accidents.
Report hazardous, unsafe and unhealthy conditions.
Understands, supports, and contributes to Performance Seats Total Quality Management, Quality (ISO/TS 16949), and Environmental Management (ISO14000) Systems by following approved policies and procedures.