锦鲤求职岗位描述
What to Expect
Tesla's Senior Trim Engineer at Shanghai Design Studio is a strategic technical leadership role responsible for driving the development, optimization, and release of premium seat trim systems that define the interior experience across Tesla's global vehicle portfolio. This position serves as the critical bridge between Tesla's Design Studio vision and APAC manufacturing capabilities, ensuring that innovative trim solutions are both aesthetically compelling and operationally feasible. You will lead cross-functional collaboration with global suppliers, establish technical standards, and champion continuous improvement while maintaining uncompromising quality and cost efficiency. Success in this role requires deep technical expertise, strategic supplier partnership capabilities, and the ability to translate design intent into manufacturable reality.
What You’ll own
Strategic Design Leadership & Technical Direction:
• Lead trim Design strategy for assigned vehicle platforms from concept through production release, establishing aesthetic and functional requirements, material specifications, and testing protocols in collaboration with foam, frame, plastics, and NVH engineering teams.
• Work with suppliers to adjust and improve current Tesla seat patterns (all models) for ongoing quality improvements.
• Interface with cut/sew plants (suppliers) to set and monitor quality expectations, resolve issues, and confirm that processes work properly and on schedule.
• Establish supplier technical roadmaps that balance design innovation with manufacturing feasibility, cost targets, and timeline constraints; mentor suppliers toward best-in-class capabilities.
Pattern Development & CAD Oversight:
• Manage all master pattern data for your assigned program (including material changes, notch and datum control, cutline change traceability, material backing/scrim identification, pattern/part numbering, etc.), coordinating closely with suppliers.
• Communicate with direct supplier and drive pattern optimization cycles that improve material yield, reduce waste, and enhance manufacturing efficiency without compromising quality or design intent
• Lead technical problem-solving for pattern issues, process deviations, and quality escapes; collaborate with suppliers to implement root-cause corrective actions and prevent recurrence.
• Evaluate design concepts for manufacturability early in the development cycle, providing constructive feedback on trim retention methods, material selections, and assembly approaches; balance aesthetic ambition with production reality.
• Lead design-for-manufacturing (DFM) reviews that optimize trim layouts, minimize complexity, and reduce production risk without compromising the customer experience
What You’ll Bring
• Lead trim engineering discussions for new vehicle programs, collaborating with associated foam/frame/plastics teams and establish seat lifecycle appearance/functional expectations along with testing criteria and methods.
• Oversee physical development by reviewing digitized patterns, evaluating nesting and efficiency opportunities, controlling material types by pattern location, seam selvedge and orientation, all with respect to design for manufacturing, H-Point, safety, airbag, and other regulatory content (relying on suppliers for actual pattern creation).
• Coordinate the release of trim CAD and complete product assembly packages into PLM; write and promote Change Actions (CA) and deviations. Provide technical oversight of 2D pattern CAD (Accumark, Optitex, Lectra), pattern export formats, assembly drawing creation/requirements, and BOM content control.
• Support the production of feasible seat covers for Tesla design seating through supplier collaboration.
• Resolve open issues arising from production builds, testing, etc., in partnership with suppliers.
Skills / Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Design Engineering, Apparel or Textile Design, Textile Engineering, or similar. Alternatively, relevant professional experience and evidence of exceptional ability.
• Knowledge of trim development processes and best practices.
• Knowledge of cut and sew for Automotive interior.
• Knowledge of trim limitations and production constraints when establishing feasibility.
• Knowledge of trim retention methods and best practices.
• Knowledge of trim materials (PUR, cloth, PVC, carpet, foam).
• CAD proficient [Catia 3DX, Accumark/Optitex] with the ability to review 3D/2D parts and full CAD drawings (to oversee supplier work).
• Working knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Bill of Materials (BOM) development
This job application may involve an interview with an interviewer outside of Tesla China. If you complete your application, you agree Tesla provides your application information to overseas interviewers in Tesla, Inc. for recruitment purposes. More details and contact information please see Tesla Talent Personal Data International Transfer Statement here.