
Lead Color Materials & Finish Designer
- Irvine, CA
- $154,000-192,500 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
Role SummaryAs a Lead CMF Designer at the Rivian Design Studio, you will drive the aesthetic vision for our vehicles, accessories, and energy products. You will be a vital part of a team that creates and executes world-class products, pushing the boundaries of material innovation and translating our brand philosophy into a tangible experience.You will be involved in every aspect of the CMF design process, from trend research and story creation to material development and final production. Success in this role requires a demonstrated ability to create compelling and innovative solutions, while collaborating with global suppliers and cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation.
Responsibilities
- Lead the CMF vision for our entire product ecosystem, defining the creative direction for vehicle interiors, exteriors, and Adventure Products.
- Drive material innovation through advanced research, exploring everything from traditional materials like polymers and metals to textiles, wood, and beyond.
- Manage the entire CMF process from concept through production, ensuring design intent is upheld through color and material development and final implementation across all commodities.
- Forecast and analyze future material trends to inform and develop cohesive CMF strategies for upcoming product development.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors, identifying new resources and managing a comprehensive internal library of innovative materials and finishes.
- Create high-quality visualizations using industry-standard software (Vred, Blender, Keyshot, and AI tools) to effectively communicate CMF concepts.
- Benchmark competitive vehicles and support the broader design team in setting design direction.
- Partner with engineering, mastering, and design quality teams to ensure the final product flawlessly reflects the original design intent
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Textile Design, CMF Design, or equivalent professional experience with evidence of exceptional ability.
- 6+ years of professional CMF design experience with a strong portfolio.
- Relevant experience in the automotive industry, including familiarity with its development and manufacturing processes.
- Superior color acuity, with a proven ability to score 16 or lower on the Munsell Hue Color Test.
- Proficiency in design and visualization software, including Vred, Blender, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and KeyShot.
- Proven ability to leverage emerging technologies such as Adobe Substance, Cinema 4D, Figma, and AI tools to enhance the design process is a plus.
- Proven expertise in materials research and development.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to clearly articulate a design vision and foster cross-functional collaboration.
- A keen eye for sophisticated design, high attention to detail, and a passion for creating premium products.
- Able to manage multiple projects and personal workflows independently with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams and contribute to shared goals.
- Capable of operating and thriving in a fast paced and dynamic work environment.