Industrial Design Engineer

Advantage Technical
$70,000.00-$80,000.00
United States, Connecticut, Torrington
May 02, 2025
Do you thrive at the intersection of creativity, engineering, and functionality? Are you inspired by designing products that blend performance with aesthetic appeal? We're looking for an Industrial Design Engineer with a passion for seat and upholstery design to join our innovative team-ideally someone who's cut their teeth in furniture, automotive, or aerospace design environments. About the Role: As an Industrial Design Engineer, you'll lead the design and development of airline seat upholstery and interior trim, helping define and refine materials, processes, and aesthetics. This role bridges the gap between concept and production-where form meets function. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams and customers to bring high-impact designs to life that meet regulatory standards, performance expectations, and customer needs. We're open to a variety of CAD backgrounds-what matters most is your design thinking, materials knowledge, and creative approach to complex industrial design challenges. What You'll Do: Product Development Work directly with customers and internal teams to conceptualize and refine product designs that meet aesthetic, functional, and certification requirements. Define seat trim specifications, material standards, and test validation plans. Translate customer design proposals into feasible, manufacturable solutions, considering cost, lead time, and performance. Support development phases including drawings, prototypes, and early-stage production documentation. Design Execution Create seat cover concepts and detailed designs using CAD tools, 3D modeling, and Gerber Technologies. Develop sewing patterns, upholstery specs, and production documentation (GPDs). Ensure accurate dimensional tolerances, design-for-manufacturing practices, and integration of customer requirements. Lead and participate in design reviews, PDRs/CDRs, and validation checkpoints. Innovate around materials such as leather, textiles, foam, vinyl, and soft trim components. Technical & Production Support Act as a design SME for internal teams and customer partners. Provide hands-on support for root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement efforts. Partner with Program Managers to stay on track with deliverables, scope, and deadlines. Participate in quality initiatives aligned with AS9100 and internal standards. What You Bring: Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field. 2-5 years of professional experience in industrial design-aerospace, automotive, or furniture design experience strongly preferred. Familiarity with seat trim, upholstery development, and soft materials. Understanding of attachment methods such as wrapping, sewing, adhesives, and fasteners. Technical Proficiency CAD proficiency-experience with AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks, or similar platforms. Experience with Gerber Technologies and pattern-making software. Background in prototyping, pattern development, and material cutting techniques is a big plus. Working knowledge of design standards in aerospace or automotive seating a strong advantage. Soft Skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong creative problem-solving with a user-centered mindset. Ability to manage multiple projects and work under pressure. Detail-oriented with an eye for aesthetics and functionality. Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams and customers. Why Join Us? Join a dynamic design team in a fast-paced, innovation-focused environment. Work on high-visibility aerospace programs with industry leaders. Shape the future of passenger experience through your design work. Access to cutting-edge tools and opportunities for career development. If you're a designer who lives at the crossroads of creativity and engineering-and you love the feel of leather, textiles, and trim-we want to hear from you. Apply now and bring your design vision to life in the skies. The base pay range above represents the low and high end of the base compensation range we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual base compensation will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, actual experience, and job performance. This job posting is not a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee. After you have applied, download our Staffmark Group WorkNOW App to receive real-time job offers and apply for additional opportunities. You can download it from the App Store or get it on Google Play. About Advantage Technical With company roots going back over 30 years, Advantage Technical is an engineering and information technology services company and a national leader in the provision of technical resources today. These services include Staff Augmentation, Direct Placement, Project Resourcing and Outsourcing - delivered from 40 key market locations, by over 3500 specialized contractors, to over 500 clients across North America. Advantage Technical is a Best of Staffing Diamond Award winner for both Clients and Talent. For more information about the industries and services offered by Advantage Technical, please visit AdvantageTechnical.com. Advantage Technical is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, mental and physical disability, political affiliation, union membership, status as a parent, military or veteran status or other non-merit based factors. We will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the application, interviewing and employment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, contact your local branch. Advantage Technical is an E-Verify employer. This policy is applicable to all phases of the employment relationship, including hiring, transfers, promotions, training, terminations, working conditions, compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. All employees are directed to familiarize themselves with this policy and to act in accordance with it. All decisions with respect to employment matters and other phases of employer-temporary employee relationships will be in keeping with this policy and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.