Lead Engineer Body & Trim

Lead Engineer — Body & Trim

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Automotive Body & Trim Lead Engineer with a strong background in classic car restoration and restomod vehicle programmes. This role combines hands-on engineering knowledge with strong commercial and customer-facing skills. The successful candidate will support the design, engineering and manufacture of bespoke body and trim solutions, prepare detailed and accurate customer quotations and act as a technical interface between engineering, production, suppliers and clients.

The role requires a meticulous approach to craftsmanship, a deep understanding of heritage vehicle construction and the ability to translate engineering solutions into clearly defined scopes of work and costs.

Key Responsibilities Engineering & Technical Delivery

1. Deliver OEM-level engineering capability for body and trim systems, ensuring all work meets the premium craftsmanship, fit-and-finish expectations typical of modern OEMs. This includes the integration of modern materials, advanced joining methods and high-precision assembly processes appropriate for high-end restoration and restomod applications,

2. Lead the end-to-end technical definition of customer-commissioned Body & Trim projects, ensuring engineering outputs comply with PQ (Pre-Qualjfication) and gated programme requirements. Produce clear engineering documentation, decision records, build instructions and technical reports that support controlled project progression.

3. Conduct detailed DFMEA, technical risk assessments, and manufacturing feasibility studies to ensure that proposed body structures, trim concepts, and restoration methods are robust, serviceable and deliverable within customer budgets and programme timing.

4. Support the engineering of heritage-correct body shells, door systems, closures, brightwork, glazing and bespoke interior trim, ensuring all components meet both the original vehicle's character and modern customer expectations for quality, refinement, and durability.

5. Interpret and validate OEM-style CAD data, PQ release packs, legacy drawings and benchmark references to create engineering solutions that are compatible with existing vehicle geometry, classic body frameworks and restoration constraints.

6. Oversee the technical integration of new body panels, carbon- or aluminium-based structures, modern sealing systems, NVH improvements and upgraded interior materials, ensuring they align with the aesthetic and functional intent of original classics while enhancing usability and longevity.

7. Provide technical leadership during build phases, prototype fitting sessions, first-off parts inspections and on-vehicle validation, ensuring that bodywork and trim assemblies achieve the alignment, gap/flush standards, surface quality and tactile finishes expected of premium automotive brands.

8. Work collaboratively with coachbuilding teams, panel beaters, trimmers, wood/veneer specialists, CAD surfacing engineers, paint technicians and suppliers to ensure engineering intent aligns with practical, artisanal manufacturing methods used in classic and restomod vehicle builds.

9. Lead problem-solving activities using structured approaches (5-Why, Ishikawa, containment and corrective action plans) to resolve engineering issues, build inconsistencies, or supply-chain challenges during PQ phases or customer inspection milestones.

10. Ensure all engineering and build activities comply with OEM-level quality systems, traceability expectations and documentation standards. Maintain accurate records of modifications, material selections, measurement data and testing outcomes to support customer transparency and regulatory needs.

11. Provide technical expertise directly to customers, including Bentley-style programme reviews, inspection days, and engineering briefings. Clearly communicate design rationale, restoration strategy, engineering risks and cost drivers to ensure customer confidence and alignment throughout the project.

Classic Car Restoration Expertise

1. Apply in-depth knowledge of classic vehicle construction methods, materials and period-correct finishes.

2. Assess vehicle condition, restoration scope and technical risk during project definition.

3. Advise on repair vs replacement decisions for body and trim components.

4. Ensure restorations respect original design intent while integrating suitable modern upgrades where required.

Quotation & Commercial Support

Prepare detailed, costed quotations for restoration and restomod projects, including:

Engineering and design hours o Manufacturing and build operations o Parts, materials and bought-out items o Tooling, fixtures and sub-assembly costs

Break down work scopes clearly to support customer understanding and internal planning.

Support change management by preparing revised quotes for scope changes or engineering updates.

Work with commercial and operations teams to ensure quotations are realistic, achievable and profitable.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

Att as a customer-facing technical representative, explaining engineering solutions, repair strategies and cost drivers clearly and professionally.

Participate in customer meetings, vehicle inspections and project reviews.

Build strong relationships with clients, understanding their expectations for quality, authenticity and delivery.

Provide clear technical input to support sales, programme planning and customer decisions.

Continuous Improvement & Quality

Contribute to improving quotation accuracy, cost databases and estimation processes.

Capture lessons learned from completed projects to improve future engineering and costing activities.

Support quality standards and attention to detail expected in high-end automotive restoration and bespoke manufacture.

Skills & Experience

Essential

1. Proven experience as an engineer within automotive body and trim, classic car restoration, or low-volume / bespoke vehicle manufacture.

2. Strong understanding of classic vehicle structures, body construction, trim systems and restoration techniques.

3. Experience working on restomod or heritage vehicle programmes.

4. Ability to produce clear, detailed and accurate quotations for engineering and manufacturing work.

5. Comfortable in a customer-facing role, able to explain technical and commercial topics clearly.

6. High level of attention to detail and pride in craftsmanship and quality.

Desirable

1. Experience with CAD systems and interpreting surface data and legacy drawings.

2. Knowledge of modern materials and processes applied within a classic vehicle context.

3. Background working with premium or luxury automotive brands.

4. Understanding of low-volume manufacturing, prototype builds and bespoke production.

Excellent package & opportunity. Call Rachel NOW on (phone number removed) or apply online with CV Library