Hybrid Exterior Trims – Design Lead

at Expleo Group

• Job title: Exterior Trims – Design Lead
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Chennai, India

About the role

• Design Lead for automotive exterior trim components, developing and optimizing designs for production readiness. Creating detailed documentation and ensuring compliance with OEM standards and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop exterior trim components such as bumpers, grilles, claddings, spoilers, wheel arch trims, pillar appliques, rocker panels, Fuel flap systems, Underengine Shield, Aerodynamic Shield, Inner Mirror Cover and other garnish parts.
• Design and development of the exterior parts from concept study to detailed production ready designs.
• Prepare detailed design drawings, BOMs (Bill of Materials), and technical documentation.
• Develop designs aligned with Class-A surfaces and define mounting strategies, attachment features (clips, snaps, fasteners), and part interfaces with BIW and adjacent systems.
• Ensure compliance with gap & flush, section requirements, and vehicle master sections.
• Collaborate with CAE teams for simulation studies and provide countermeasure.
• Work closely with Styling Studio, Body Engineering (BIW), Closures, Lighting, and Manufacturing teams.
• Coordinate with suppliers for feasibility, tooling concepts, and cost-effective design solutions.
• Ensure smooth design integration across systems while maintaining styling intent and functional performance.
• Ensure DFM/DFA compliance , including draft analysis, ribbing, wall thickness, and tooling feasibility.
• Development of possible solutions with respect to the critical issues identified.
• Implementing cost reduction and value engineering initiatives, supporting sustainability and lifecycle optimization efforts.
• Ensure compliance with OEM standards, regulatory requirements, and pedestrian safety norms.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s/ Master’s Degree in Engineering in Mechanical / Automobile Engineering
• Strong expertise in automotive exterior trim design
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 and ENOVIA
• Good understanding of Class-A surface integration
• Knowledge of plastic part design, GD&T, tolerance stack-up
• Experience with global development processes (GPDS, APQP)
• Familiarity with pedestrian safety and regulatory requirements
• 8-14 years of experience preferred

Benefits

• Hybrid workplace
• Competitive salary
• Flexible working hours