Automotive Interior Engineer

Location: Charlotte, NC

• Design and develop automotive interior components and systems, including:
  • Instrument panels
  • Door panels and trim
  • Center consoles
  • Seating components
  • Headliners, pillars, and interior trim
• Translate styling themes and functional requirements into producible engineering designs
• Create and maintain CAD models, drawings, and specifications
• Conduct concept feasibility studies and trade-off analyses
• Ensure compliance with automotive standards and regulations (FMVSS, ECE, OEM-specific)
• Support prototype builds, tooling development, and production launch activities
• Perform DFMEA, tolerance analysis, and validation testing (fit, finish, acoustics, durability, ergonomics)
• Collaborate cross-functionally with:
  • Styling and UX teams
  • Manufacturing and quality teams
  • Purchasing and supply chain
  • Suppliers and external partners
• Manage supplier technical deliverables and support supplier design reviews
• Support cost reduction, weight optimization, and material selection initiatives
• Track issues and lead problem-solving through engineering change management
• Participate in vehicle integration reviews and build events

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience in automotive interior component design and development.

• Expertise in interior systems with specialization in one or more of the following:
  • Restraints (airbags, seatbelts)
  • Carpets, soft trim, and insulators
• Proficiency in CAD tools (CATIA V5/V6, NX, or Creo).
• Strong understanding of injection-molded plastics and soft trim materials (e.g., TPO, leather, fabric, foam).
• Solid knowledge of structural and cosmetic design requirements.
• Experience with GD&T and production tolerancing.
• Familiarity with automotive development cycles and product launch processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with suppliers and external partners.
• Knowledge of VW systems is a plus.
• Proficiency in English (reading, writing, and speaking).
• Ability to follow engineering direction and adapt designs to meet safety, regulatory, and performance requirements. Exposure to functional safety concepts (ISO 26262)

• Experience with Volkswagen
• Willingness to travel

• Work is normally performed in an office, laboratory, manufacturing floor, or machine shop setting where physical work includes, but is not limited to sitting, standing, reaching, kneeling, bending, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Must be able to understand and comply with all relevant safety practices.

• Location: Novi, MI or Charlotte NC
• Schedule: Full Time/ 40 hours per week
• Travel: 20% domestics travel
• Overtime: as required
• Assignment Start: June 2026 – December 2030
• Duration: up to 4.5 years

SWJ TECHNOLOGY and all of its subsidiaries (i.e., SWJ MACHINING and ProjectOne US) are Equal Opportunity Employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.