Senior Automotive Digital Modeler (Alias / NURBS Surfacing)

We are seeking a Senior Automotive Digital Modeler (Alias / NURBS Surfacing) to join a Global Automotive company in Torrance, CA, with expertise in Autodesk Alias NURBS surfacing to join our Digital Creation team.

In this role, you will translate design vision into high-quality digital models, elevate design intent through best-in-class surfacing, and deliver production-ready results within a fast-paced automotive design environment. The ideal candidate is an experienced automotive NURBS modeler with strong Class-A surfacing fundamentals, a portfolio demonstrating precise surface development, and the ability to contribute independently with minimal onboarding.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality digital models in Autodesk Alias, translating sketches and design themes into precise, compelling 3D surfaces.
• Create production-ready Class-A surfaces with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship, accuracy, and design fidelity.
• Collaborate closely with designers, engineers, visualization teams, and studio leadership to execute and enhance design intent.
• Rapidly iterate and refine models while balancing design quality, timing, and engineering feasibility.
• Establish and uphold best practices for digital surfacing, modeling standards, and workflow efficiency.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of digital modeling processes and overall design execution.
• Demonstrate strong design judgment and proactively make styling decisions with minimal direction.
• Interpret various inputs (sketches, scans, images, or reference models) and translate them into accurate, high-quality surfaces.
• Deliver work with a strong emphasis on speed, efficiency, and clean modeling techniques in a fast-paced production environment.
• Accurately model to another designer’s intent, preserving intended proportions, character lines, transitions, and design details while maintaining exceptional surface quality
• Demonstrate refined modeling techniques, strong design sensitivity, and precise control of surface continuity, curvature, highlight flow, and line flow

Required Qualifications

• Alias NURBS Expertise
• 5–7+ years of experience in digital modeling.
• Advanced proficiency in Autodesk Alias with expert-level NURBS modeling capability.
• Proven ability to produce complex, high-quality surfaces with speed, precision, and consistency.
• Deep understanding of automotive surfacing principles and digital craftsmanship.
• Strong understanding that Alias (tool) and NURBS (surfacing methodology) are tightly integrated, with demonstrated hands-on expertise in both.
• Ability to work across both interior and exterior modeling, or demonstrate deep expertise in at least one area.
• NURBS modeling must be a primary skillset, supported by demonstrated hands-on experience developing precise, high-quality automotive surfaces

Design Interpretation & Sketch Modeling

• Strong ability to translate 2D sketches into high-quality 3D digital models.
• Exceptional sketch modeling and concept development skills.
• Demonstrated capability to enhance and elevate design intent through modeling expertise.
• Ability to independently interpret design intent and make informed decisions that improve overall surface quality and aesthetics.
• Ability to accurately execute another designer’s intent with minimal guidance, maintaining design fidelity, proportions, line flow, and surface precision
• Strong design sensitivity and the ability to recognize, assess, and refine surface imperfections and inconsistencies.

Class-A Surfacing Excellence

• Extensive experience delivering world-class Class-A surfaces.
• Advanced knowledge of surface continuity, curvature analysis, and highlight control.
• Strong understanding of parametric modeling methodologies and feasibility workflows.
• Experience supporting the full modeling process from concept development through near-production-level surfacing.
• Strong Class-A surfacing fundamentals are essential; direct Class-A surfacing experience is preferred
• Demonstrated ability to create refined surfaces with clean transitions, accurate curvature, controlled highlights, and consistent line flow

Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive OEM experience strongly preferred.
• Background in Industrial Design preferred; strong Fine Arts candidates considered with relevant automotive surfacing expertise.
• Experience working on production vehicle programs (e.g., interior/exterior components) rather than concept-only projects.
• Experience within major automotive design studios or OEMs is a plus
• A portfolio demonstrating high-quality automotive surfacing, precise execution of design intent, and refined NURBS modeling techniques
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, make sound modeling decisions, and contribute productively with minimal onboarding.

Logistics

• Location: 100% onsite role in Torrance, CA (5 days/week required).
• Type: Contract position – 12 months to start, with possibility of extension based on performance.
• Pay Range: $65.00/hr–$75.00/hr (DOE).
• Portfolio required (must include accessible links or attachments showcasing relevant work).
• Portfolios should clearly demonstrate individual modeling contributions, surface quality, precision, and the ability to translate design intent into refined digital models.