Designer

THE COMPANY

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic, and transportation. In 2023, Continental generated sales of €41.4 billion and currently employs around 200,000 people in 56 countries and markets.

ContiTech is one of the world’s leading industry specialists. The Continental group sector offers its customers connected, environment-friendly, safe, and convenient industry and service solutions using a range of materials for off-highway applications, on rails and roads, in the air, under and above the ground, in industrial environments, for the food sector and the furniture industry. With about 42,000 employees in more than 40 countries and sales of some 6.8 billion euros (2023), the global industrial partner is active with core branches in Asia, Europe and North and South America.

Job Description

THIS POSITION IS LOCATED IN WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA. There is no relocation or sponsorship available for this role.

Job Description

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Translate customer vision and design intent into production-ready interior surface concepts.
• Develop and evaluate interior color harmony, material appearance, gloss, texture, grain, print, pattern, haptics and perceived quality.
• Balance aesthetics with feasibility, cost, timing, durability, manufacturing capability and customer requirements.
• Identify customer and market design needs.
• Deliver internal and external design presentations.
• Develop feasible grains, colors, prints and combinations, securing customer approvals and PLC documentation.
• Support design development and releases for customer programs.

Strategy Design Americas

• Build and expand trusted working relationships with American / North American customers, CMF, innovation groups and advanced engineering organizations.
• Monitor competitive design technologies and activities together with Sales.
• Provide design and plant support for Winchester.

Design and Project Management

• Coordinate sample creation, color matching, appearance reviews, supplier trials, production evaluations and corrective actions.
• Partner cross-functionally with Creative Design, Engineering, Program Management, Sales, Manufacturing, Quality and external suppliers.
• Initiate and/or monitor trial batches through the internal process.
• Track color and grain developments through the internal development process.
• Track internal design projects.

Customer Projects

• Present design recommendations clearly and document customer feedback, decisions, actions, owners and next steps.
• Attend color, print and texture evaluations at suppliers, production locations and customer sites.
• Support escalation management within the Americas Design department.

Collaboration

• Advise BA SSL stakeholders and departments involved in the Product Life Cycle that influence design-related product and production properties, including feasibility and business impact.
• Build and expand collaboration between SSL and relevant customer departments, with a focus on acquiring new projects.

Reporting

• Report within defined cycles and systems, including 1:1 meetings, dashboards and action lists.
• Communicate status updates and projected timelines to customers.
• Provide recommendations to affected internal departments based on customer feedback.
• Report and document customer approval status, including ISAR, roller transfer to serial status and master creation.

Design Support

• Collect necessary input from customers.
• Present color submissions and grain developments to customers.
• Build and expand collaboration between SSL Design and relevant customer departments.
• Support the Program Management team in acquiring new projects.
• Prepare and deliver internal presentations.

Teamwork

• Act as a member of a Program Management team.
• Own surface design development for assigned customers.
• Collaborate with all parties and departments involved in the PLC process.
• Collaborate with Creative Design, Automotive Design, and DTS SSL.

Trend and Market Research

• Monitor, gather and analyze American market activity, especially competitor colors, textures, prints and materials.
• Identify American market design and color trends.
• Analyze SSL and competitor color and trim portfolios, including color, grain, print, structure, surface characteristics and haptics.

Other Responsibilities

• Travel to suppliers, trade fairs / trade shows and customer locations.
• Prepare reports, presentations and updates from customers, shows and events.
• Prepare design presentations.
• Present SSL product portfolio samples and design presentations.

THE ENVIRONMENT

• Safety is our highest priority and safety procedures and guidelines must always be adhered to. Applicants must be able to work in a manufacturing industrial environment and be able to wear personal protective equipment such as safety boots, safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.

Qualifications

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE

• Bachelor's Degree in Related Field

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO STAND OUT

• Degree in Design
• 3 years of experience
• Adobe Suite experience
• Previous experience in production and product management

Additional Information

THE PERKS

• Competitive Pay
• Immediate Benefits
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Discounts, including tire discounts
• Competitive Bonus Program
• Employer 401(k) Match
• On-Site Gym
• And more benefits that come with working for a global industry leader!

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.