# Senior Trim & Lighting Engineer

**Company:** [Zoox](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/zoox)
**Location:** Foster City, CA
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $195k – $235k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** Catia V6, Catia V5, 3Dexperience, Plm, GD&T, Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis, Dfmea, Dvp&R, Cae Simulation, Design For Manufacturing, Fastening Methods, Va/Ve, Automotive Trim, Lighting Engineering, Supplier Management
**Posted:** 2026-09-08

> Senior engineer responsible for designing and releasing automotive trim, seating, and lighting attachment interfaces through production launch. The role requires extensive OEM or Tier 1 experience, CATIA and PLM proficiency, supplier leadership, and expertise in validation, GD&T, and design for manufacturing.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Serve as the Trim & Lighting engineering point of contact across body engineering, suppliers, and internal engineering teams.
- Own the design and release of attachment and mounting interfaces for interior, exterior, seating, and lighting components.
- Drive multiple suppliers in parallel against design, cost, and timeline commitments.
- Maximize component and part-number carryover while minimizing new part creation and protecting existing tooling.
- Manage body/structures interfaces and translate structural changes into trim, seating, and lighting attachment requirements.
- Define and execute component and subsystem validation plans with the Validation team, including DVP&Rs.
- Release parts and assemblies in 3DEXPERIENCE, maintaining data quality and change management.
- Apply VA/VE and should-cost awareness to protect program cost targets.
- Present technical direction, resolve objections, and build consensus on integration decisions.
- Lead a small team and cross-functional projects as needed.
- Create and maintain technical documentation, including DFMEAs and DVP&Rs.
- Review CAE simulation results to optimize attachment performance, fit, and durability.

## Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience; master's degree with 7+ years; or PhD with 3+ years.
- Deep knowledge of automotive interior/exterior trim, seating, or lighting engineering.
- Experience taking automotive components or subsystems through a complete design-to-launch cycle at an OEM or Tier 1 supplier.
- Experience with carryover strategy and attachment/interface design.
- Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and fastening/joining methods including clips, fasteners, welds, and adhesives.
- Experience drafting and executing technical requirements using rigorous engineering methodologies.
- Proficiency in 3D modeling with CATIA V6, CATIA V5, or an equivalent tool.
- Understanding of design for manufacturing and attachment/fastening design.
- Experience releasing parts and managing changes in a PLM environment; 3DEXPERIENCE/3DX preferred.
- Experience managing multiple technical suppliers and project timelines in parallel.
- Familiarity with validation processes, DVP&Rs, and DFMEAs across a complete vehicle lifecycle program.
- Ability to work independently in ambiguous, fast-moving programs and lead a small team of 2–3 engineers.

## Preferred Skills
- Early-phase program definition and validation planning.
- CAE simulation review for attachment performance, fit, and durability.
- VA/VE and should-cost analysis.

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