Senior CAD Designer

Realtruck.Com - Ann Arbor, MI

Full-time - Mid Level

Ann Arbor, MI

Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers

About the position

The Senior CAD Designer at RealTruck will play a pivotal role in the design and development of innovative aftermarket accessories for Trucks, Jeeps, and Passenger Cars. This position requires a strong foundation in automotive exterior design, particularly in Class A surfaces, injection molding, extrusions, and hardware. The designer will collaborate closely with Design Engineers throughout the entire product development process, from conceptualization to production start-up, ensuring that all designs meet the high standards expected in the automotive industry. The role is primarily focused on aftermarket product lines, with opportunities for growth into Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) product lines as well. In this position, the Senior CAD Designer will be responsible for creating innovative design concepts and completing product designs in 3D, as well as managing the drawing release process in accordance with engineering directives. Proficiency in CAD software such as Catia or NX is essential, as the designer will utilize these tools to create designs intended for production implementation, employing Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles. The designer will also provide direction for new product design solutions that align with customer requirements and coordinate design-related workloads with designated Design Engineers. The role involves creating models, drawings, and supporting test sample builds, as well as coordinating with the CAD Administrator and other RealTruck Brands as necessary. The designer will leverage creative and critical thinking skills to develop new product concepts that are not only functional but also aesthetically appealing to customers. Additionally, the designer will be responsible for establishing and maintaining corporate design standards and mentoring junior designers as needed. This position requires a proactive approach to troubleshooting and problem-solving, particularly during complex design challenges.

Responsibilities

• Create innovative design concepts and complete product designs in 3D and drawing release, per engineering direction.
• Design in Catia or NX for production implementation using DFMA toolbox skills.
• Provide direction for innovative and new product design solutions to meet customer requirements.
• Coordinate design-related workload with designated Design Engineer.
• Create models, drawings, and support test sample builds.
• Coordinate with the CAD Administrator and related RealTruck Brands, if applicable.
• Utilize creative and critical thinking to develop new product concepts with high customer appeal.
• Create drawings for prototype and production release, following applicable processes.
• Design for Manufacturing as required or driven by the Brand's manufacturing engineers.
• Lead and engage in troubleshooting with the team to develop options for success during complex situations.
• Mentor junior level designers as necessary.
• Establish and maintain corporate design standards.

Requirements

• 2-year Associate of Applied Science in CAD/Design or equivalent degree is required.
• 5+ years of hands-on, professional product design experience working for an OEM or Tier 1 in body/exterior/sealing/mechanisms or equivalent required.
• Experience designing injection molded parts, including understanding of draft angle, under-surface detail, lifter design, gating, texture/grain, etc. is highly preferred.
• Ability to design complex plastic parts, extruded aluminum profiles, and mechanisms based on direction from Design Engineers.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Skilled working with Catia or NX, including parametric modeling practices.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in consumer product design is a plus.