Clay Modeling Lead - Robot Industrial Design

Clay Modeling Lead – Robot Industrial Design

Overview

Shape the future of autonomous mobility through exceptional craftsmanship, technical precision, and design leadership. The Clay Modeling Lead will guide the development and execution of full-size and scale clay models that transform industrial design vision into precise three-dimensional form.

Working at the intersection of design, engineering, digital modeling, and prototype development, you will lead clay model execution from early ideation through production feasibility. Your work will help define the physical expression of groundbreaking autonomous vehicles while ensuring that every surface reflects design intent and meets technical and manufacturing requirements.

Required Skills

• 10+ years of hands-on automotive clay modeling experience within automotive design studios.
• Proven experience leading clay model development from early concept through production.
• Experience supporting both concept vehicles and production programs.
• Extensive expertise creating and refining full-size and scale clay models.
• Advanced proficiency in traditional hand modeling techniques and precision surfacing methods.
• Expert understanding of:
• Automotive proportions
• Class-A surface development
• Vehicle architecture
• Production feasibility
• Strong knowledge of clay modeling equipment and studio fabrication processes.
• Experience with milling workflows and digital-to-physical model development.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Industrial Designers, Digital Modelers, Engineering, Prototype teams, and other cross-functional partners.
• Strong organization, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to balance multiple concurrent programs, priorities, schedules, staffing needs, and studio resources.
• Exceptional attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and design excellence.
• Ability to prepare presentation models and design bucks for leadership, executive, and cross-functional design reviews.
• Knowledge of clay modeling processes, workflows, tooling, and fabrication techniques.
• Ability to support studio equipment, materials, vendor relationships, budgeting, and resource planning.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience continuously improving clay modeling processes and workflows.
• Experience introducing new technologies and methods that improve efficiency and model quality.
• Experience supporting the integration of digital and physical model development.
• Experience managing or coordinating studio operations in a fast-paced automotive design environment.
• Experience working across multiple vehicle programs simultaneously.

Preferred Education and Experience

• 10+ years of professional automotive clay modeling experience in an automotive design studio.
• Demonstrated leadership of clay model development across concept, refinement, and production-feasibility stages.
• Educational background was not specified for this position.

Other Requirements

• Work arrangement: Onsite.
• Location: Foster City, CA.
• Employment type: W2 only.
• Contract duration: 6 months.
• Start: ASAP.