Class A Surface Modeler – Autodesk Alias
Global Role · China / Taiwan / Hong Kong / Remote
Full-Time or Contract · Industrial Design & Vehicle Surfacing
About Us
Ristretto is a premium electric mobility company developing design-driven, high-performance electric two-wheelers. From next-generation e-bikes to full electric motos, our products combine distinctive industrial design, advanced engineering, and uncompromising attention to detail.
As we expand our vehicle development capabilities, we are seeking an experienced Class A Surface Modeler with advanced Autodesk Alias expertise to work alongside our industrial design and engineering teams on current and future Ristretto vehicle platforms.
Position Overview
The Class A Surface Modeler will be responsible for converting design concepts, sketches, scan data, and preliminary CAD into high-quality production-level exterior surfaces.
This role requires deep experience with Autodesk Alias and Class A surfacing, preferably within automotive, motorcycle, powersports, transportation design, or similarly demanding industrial design environments.
You will work closely with Ristretto’s industrial designers and mechanical engineers to preserve design intent while developing technically accurate, manufacturable surfaces.
What You’ll Work On
Class A Surfacing- Create and refine Class A exterior surfaces using Autodesk Alias
- Translate sketches, concept models, polygon data, and design references into high-quality NURBS surfaces
- Develop complex vehicle body surfaces with exceptional continuity and visual quality
- Maintain design intent while resolving engineering and manufacturing constraints
- Build clean, production-ready surface geometry
Surface Quality & Continuity- Achieve and evaluate G0, G1, G2, and where required G3 surface continuity
- Analyze highlights, reflections, curvature, and surface transitions
- Identify and eliminate surface imperfections
- Maintain consistent character lines and feature definition throughout the vehicle
- Refine transitions between adjacent panels and components
Vehicle Design Development- Work on exterior vehicle components including:Body panels
- Fairings
- Covers
- Battery enclosures
- Side panels
- Tank-style structures
- Lighting integration
- Guards and protective components
- Trim and interface surfaces
- Support design development from early concept through production surface release
Design-to-Engineering Integration- Collaborate directly with industrial designers and mechanical engineers
- Integrate engineering packaging, mounting points, structural constraints, and manufacturing requirements
- Develop surfaces suitable for downstream engineering and tooling
- Coordinate handoff between Alias and engineering CAD environments such as SolidWorks or Fusion 360
- Support revisions resulting from DFM reviews, prototyping, and tooling feedback
Manufacturing & Production Support- Support components developed through:Injection molding
- Composite manufacturing
- Thermoforming
- Casting
- CNC machining
- Other production processes
- Review prototype and production samples against approved digital surfaces
- Support tooling corrections and surface refinements during production development
Qualifications
Required- Professional experience as a Class A Surface Modeler
- Advanced proficiency in Autodesk Alias
- Strong understanding of automotive-style Class A surfacing principles
- Deep knowledge of NURBS modeling and surface construction
- Strong understanding of curvature continuity and highlight control
- Ability to convert design intent into precise production-ready surfaces
- Strong visual judgment and attention to detail
- Experience collaborating with industrial designers and engineering teams
Preferred- Automotive, motorcycle, e-moto, powersports, or transportation design experience
- Experience with OEM or Tier 1 automotive surfacing workflows
- Experience developing complex exterior vehicle bodywork
- Familiarity with SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Rhino, CATIA, ICEM Surf, or similar tools
- Understanding of manufacturing and tooling constraints
- Experience taking surfaces from concept development through production tooling
Portfolio RequirementA portfolio demonstrating professional Class A surfacing work is required.
Applicants should ideally include examples demonstrating:
- Complex exterior surfaces
- Curvature continuity
- Highlight quality
- Vehicle or transportation design
- Production-ready surface development
Schedule & Collaboration- Global / remote-friendly role
- Collaboration across U.S. and APAC time zones
- Potential travel to China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or other manufacturing locations for design and production reviews
Why Join Ristretto?- Shape the exterior design of next-generation electric vehicles
- Work directly with industrial design, engineering, and manufacturing teams
- Influence visible product surfaces from concept through production
- Work on vehicles where design quality is a core product differentiator
- Help establish Ristretto’s next generation of electric mobility products