Lead, CMF (Color, Materials, and Finishes) Designer

Job Title 

Lead, CMF (Color, Materials, and Finishes) Designer

About Canoo 

Canoo’s mission is to bring EVs to Everyone and build a world-class team to deploy this sustainable mobility revolution. We have developed breakthrough electric vehicles that are reinventing the automotive landscape with pioneering technologies, award-winning designs, and a unique business model that spans all owners in the full lifecycle of the vehicle. Canoo is starting production and is distinguished by its pioneering and experienced team of technologists, engineers, and designers. With offices around the country, the company is scaling quickly and seeking candidates who love to challenge themselves, are motivated by purpose, and possess a strong desire to get things done. 

The “Canoo Way” 

Canoo’s success is the direct result of our disciplined application of our core operating principles and drills, which are based on three main principles: Think 80/20 (“Important versus less important”), Act 30/30 (“Reduce waste and increase output”), and Live 90/10 (“We have each other’s back”). We hire based on “MET” - Mindset, Equipment and willingness to Train - and seek individuals that take accountability and deliver results being Humble, Hungry to succeed, and Hunting for opportunities to win. We train our team to engage with each other by modulating between their intellect (iQ) and emotional intelligence (eQ) applying Facts, Finesse, and Force when they communicate. The principles and drills of the CANOO Way have been fundamental to our success, our ability to grow, continuously improve, innovate and are at the core of our day-to-day operations. 

Job Purpose 

The Lead, CMF (Color, Materials, and Finishes) Designer is tasked with setting the vision for the development and coordination of interior and exterior color, material, and finish designs for the Canoo brand. 

This position is full-time in-office. Candidates must reside within Dallas TX or have a reasonable driving commute to Justin, TX and/or be willing to relocate.

Responsibilities (80s of the Position) 

• Design and develop color and materials for both exterior and interior of upcoming vehicles.
• Follow the development of color and materials from concept through approval.
• Coordinate the release of all master samples.
• Evaluate color, texture, gloss, and finishes while working directly with suppliers as necessary.
• Maintain an awareness of developments in related fields, i.e., furniture, fashion, architecture, and apply that knowledge to automotive design.
• Perform benchmarking of competitive vehicles/products.
• Research design and styling trends.
• Interact directly with suppliers.
• Present strategies, vision, and innovation, to executives
• Communicate Canoo’s CMF brand to retail, internal and external teams when required

Required Experience 

• Must have 8+ years of CMF OEM experience
• Demonstrated ability to guide, lead, and inspire a growing team
• Eager mentor and capable educator, driven to spread methodological understanding throughout the broader team and organization
• Experience with OEM industrialization
• Expert in the Manufacturing process for CMF
• Success at bringing a range of people into the research and design process, including cross-functional partners within Canoo organization, successfully engaging stakeholder and executives
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills, clearly articulating the rationale behind design decisions, expressing the story and comfortable with the language of business, who can tie design team effort to product and business strategy
• Orderly and organized
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft office
• Basic knowledge of Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2015) and Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001:2015), as applicable

Preferred Experience 

• Visualization (VRED, Keyshot, Maya...)
• CAD

Travel Requirements

• Limited Travel might be required for company events

Physical Requirements

While p