Design Engineering - Director of Interiors in England

Join Our Relentless Pursuit of Excellence At Singer Vehicle Design, we believe Everything is Important. That’s why every nut, bolt, stitch, and finish matters when we restore and reimagine Porsche 911s into some of the most beautiful and respected cars in the world. We’re looking for a Director of Interiors, Design Engineering to bring their passion, precision, and problem‑solving skills to our team in Torrance, CA or Daventry, UK. If you share our passion for beautiful cars, thrive on details, and want to be part of something extraordinary, this is your chance.

Why You’ll Love This Role

Reporting to the Vice President of Engineering in the UK, this role will be responsible for leading a team dedicated to the design, engineering and development of the interior content for all Singer vehicle programs. This role will provide ownership of interior design from styling concept and surface release all the way through to released 3D and 2D CAD, ensuring all projects in the operating plan are delivered on time, on budget and to specification. The role will contribute to the creation and implementation of best practice Engineering processes, vision, strategy, policies, and procedures to aid and improve operational performance.

What You’ll Do

• Own the specification, design, development and validation testing of vehicle interior content providing technical direction, sourcing strategy, DFA and DFM.
• Define and implement the interior strategy aligned with corporate and product goals and market trends.
• Develop and manage the strategy of outsourcing engineering activity to partners to balance our internal headcount and ensure on activity is delivered on time within budget.
• Work with Supply Chain Management to ensure delivery of components and assemblies on schedule for all phases of prototype, pilot, pre-production, and production build.
• Conduct research and benchmarking on industry trends, competitor vehicles, and consumer insights to drive continuous improvement.
• Preparation and presentation of material to support project status reviews.
• Oversee all department engineering projects to guarantee vehicle interior engineering projects are delivered on time, on budget and to specification.
• Seek to drive continuous improvement in technology, engineering, and delivery.
• Identify and implement best practice engineering processes, improving robustness in our engineering integrity.
• Stay abreast of new developments and techniques in the fields of luxury upholstery, materials, and interior design to ensure the Singer brand is consistently recognized as unique in its market position.
• Incorporates clients’ unique requests and special wishes into the interior design, engineering, and manufacturing process.
• Lead the team responsible for specific vehicle program requirements including: System Specification DFMEA, DVP, Vehicle / System level test specs; System Budgets & Expenditure including supporting setting system budgets; System Timing & Delivery including design, release (ETRS), development and validation plans; System planning & allocation; System BOM management & tracking; Robust issue resolution.
• With the Program Management team, own delivery for all projects in line with SCDP (Singer Creative Development Plan) and ensure the cascaded KPIs are on track.
• Provide authority on the EBOM to all stakeholders, ensuring project delivery is on time and to budget.
• Work with the Supply Chain and Manufacturing departments to define process parameters and criteria to ensure supplier process capability is effective to meet product and process requirements.

Who We’re Looking For

• Mechanical or Automotive Engineering Degree or relevant experience.
• Formal management qualifications advantageous.
• A high level of technical knowledge & experience of vehicle interior component and assembly design, test & production delivery processes.
• PC literate and a competent user of MS Office products.
• Experienced in OEM and/or Engineering Services.
• Experience of high value and niche vehicle (low volume) programs.
• 5 years of experience in automotive interior engineering, including leadership roles.
• Must have great attention to detail.
• Energetic, proactive, calm under pressure, personable and mature personality.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Strong team‑worker – ability to thrive in a small, closely‑knitted team.
• Flexibility – being prepared to work longer hours when occasionally required.
• Become familiar with and work to the company’s health and safety standards.
• Advise and report on any issues relating to health and safety.
• To comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Support other departments when required.
• Demonstrable leadership behaviours including being able to lead by example, lead negotiations influence stakeholders, be a coach and mentor.
• Takes ownership for team cohesion and team development.
• Excellent leadership and man‑management skills.
• Ability to manage a variety of cross‑functional team members.
• Commercially aware.

Location & Schedule

We’re open to hiring this role in Daventry, UK or Torrance, CA in the US. The team you lead will be global, in both locations.

What We Offer

Our mantra Everything is Important guides us every day, so naturally we also believe Everyone is Important. Singer employees in the US enjoy generous paid time off, low‑cost health insurance, a 401(k) plan with a company match, life and AD&D insurance, long‑term and short‑term disability, tools for our techs, and continuous opportunities for learning and advancement within the company.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to building a team that includes individuals from different cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, ages, sexual orientation, and physical abilities, reflecting the diversity of the communities where we work and live.

The starting salary range for this position in the US is between $169,037 - $200,000 per year plus bonus. Actual compensation will be determined by skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Compensation for UK candidates will reflect local market rates, and have different benefits.

Do you want to reimagine your career? Apply now and join us!