Exterior Designer

Exterior Designer

Full-Time 45000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
GM

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create innovative exterior designs for automotive products using cutting-edge design tools.
  • Company: Join General Motors, a leader in automotive design and innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for career advancement.
  • Other info: Submit your portfolio to showcase your creativity and skills.
  • Why this job: Be part of a global team shaping the future of mobility and design.
  • Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in design and 2+ years of relevant experience required.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.

Are you a highly creative exterior designer interested in joining one of the most exciting design studios in the world? General Motors Europe has an opportunity for a designer who wants to push the boundaries of Exterior Design across multiple brand studios.

As an Exterior Designer, you will be part of a connected global design team working on leading, world‑class production products. You will research, design, and create proposals that demonstrate innovative exterior ideas and concepts from inception to implementation for automotive and mobility applications.

With brand and strategy as your guide, you will generate exterior design concepts in both 2D and 3D for automotive products. You must have exceptional visualization skills and be able to clearly communicate your ideas. You are comfortable iterating and refining concepts based on feedback, and you collaborate effectively with a wide range of creative and non‑creative stakeholders, including suppliers, to deliver world‑class products.

You have a strong passion for design and innovation, clearly demonstrated in your portfolio. You hold a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Automotive Design and you bring 5-7 years of experience in industry. You are driven, eager to advance your career, and a self‑starter. Your strong communication skills help you build relationships with ease. You are comfortable with changing direction based on which designs gain traction, you thrive in a team environment, and you manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Create fresh, innovative designs for multiple General Motors branded vehicles and other products using electronic design tools.
  • Coordinate with other design personnel to achieve design goals.
  • Follow the design process from initial sketch to final released clay model.
  • Produce perspective sketches and renderings, in scale and full size, that clearly communicate new design ideas.
  • Develop two‑ and three‑dimensional mock‑ups of proposed design solutions.
  • Collaborate with studio engineers, modelers, other designers, and service and fabrication personnel to develop new ideas in both 2D and 3D.
  • Present new concepts and designs effectively, both orally and visually.
  • Maintain frequent contact with cross‑functional partners outside the immediate work group.

Experience working with premium brands is a plus.

Requirements:

  • 2+ years of experience in a similar role.
  • Ability to clearly communicate new ideas.
  • Strong understanding of form and proportion.
  • Strong drawing skills.
  • Demonstrated creative proficiency.
  • Demonstrated proficiency using electronic tools to communicate 2D ideation.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • High level of analytical ability to solve complex problems.
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with others.
  • Knowledge of computers and ability to use them effectively as they relate to engineering and design.
  • Bachelor’s degree with a major in Transportation Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.
  • Strong IT skills, particularly with design-related systems, including ALIAS, VRED, Photoshop, and AI tools.

Work Location: Onsite – This role is categorized as onsite. The successful candidate is expected to report to the design studio on a full‑time basis.

Portfolio Submission Instructions: To be considered for this position, you must submit a portfolio in addition to your resume and profile.

You may either:

  • Include a link to your online portfolio in your resume, or, if your portfolio is not available online: Save your portfolio as a PDF document. Name your portfolio file as: LAST NAME, FIRST NAME Example: John Smith → Smith, John.pdf Upload your portfolio as a separate attachment (you may need to reduce the file size).

Portfolio Disclaimer: The works included in your portfolio must not be subject to any non‑disclosure or confidentiality agreement. If the works in your portfolio are owned by your current or former employer, or by any other third party, you must have express written consent from the owner allowing the works to be included in your portfolio and shared with General Motors (“GM”). By sharing your portfolio, you:

  • Grant GM the right to quote, paraphrase, reproduce, distribute, or otherwise use all or any portion of the portfolio for the purpose of making a hiring determination.
  • Agree to release and discharge GM, and its licensees, successors, and assigns, from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action you may have regarding any use of the portfolio, including (but not limited to) claims based on the right to privacy, right of publicity, copyright, libel, defamation, or any other rights.

About GM: Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us: We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities: General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment.

Accommodations: General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Exterior Designer employer: GM

At General Motors Europe, we pride ourselves on being a leading design studio that fosters creativity and innovation in the automotive industry. Our collaborative work culture encourages personal growth and development, offering employees the chance to work on cutting-edge projects while being part of a diverse team committed to making a positive impact. With a focus on inclusion and belonging, we provide a supportive environment where your ideas can flourish, making us an exceptional employer for passionate designers looking to advance their careers.

GM

Contact Details:

GM Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Exterior Designer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow designers, attend industry events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

Tip Number 2

Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s polished and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, bring it up and be ready to discuss your design process and inspirations.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be prepared to talk about your design philosophy and how you approach projects. This will help you stand out in interviews and show that you’re not just a designer, but a creative thinker.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities right there, so keep checking back for new roles that fit your skills.

We think you need these skills to ace Exterior Designer

Exterior Design
2D and 3D Design
Visualization Skills
Communication Skills
Collaboration
Sketching
Rendering

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Portfolio:Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio or upload it as a PDF. This is your chance to showcase your creative flair and design skills, so pick your best work that aligns with the role!

Tailor Your Resume:Don’t just send out the same old CV! Tailor it to highlight your experience in exterior design and any relevant projects. Use keywords from the job description to make it pop and show us you’re the right fit.

Communicate Clearly:Your written application should reflect your strong communication skills. Be clear and concise in your descriptions, and don’t forget to express your passion for design and innovation!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important details!

How to prepare for a job interview at GM

Showcase Your Portfolio

Make sure your portfolio is not just a collection of your work, but a narrative that showcases your design journey. Highlight projects that demonstrate your innovative thinking and ability to push boundaries in exterior design, as this aligns perfectly with what General Motors is looking for.

Master the Art of Communication

As an Exterior Designer, you'll need to communicate your ideas clearly. Practice articulating your design concepts both visually and verbally. Consider preparing a few key points about your design philosophy and how you approach collaboration with different stakeholders.

Research the Company and Its Brands

Dive deep into General Motors' brand values and recent projects. Understanding their vision for 'Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion' will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.

Prepare for Design Challenges

Expect to discuss how you handle feedback and iterate on designs. Think of specific examples from your past experience where you successfully refined a concept based on input from others. This will demonstrate your collaborative spirit and adaptability, which are crucial for this role.