Minnesota
10195 Contract Hybrid Accepting Candidates Feb 26, 2026
Job Summary The Color Mastering Specialist is responsible for ensuring visual color accuracy and material consistency across all A-surface materials. This role serves as the critical bridge between design intent and manufacturing reality, validating color, gloss, texture, and finish alignment across multiple materials including paint, plastics, graphics, fabrics, metals, and vinyl. Working within the CMF & Graphics (CMFG) organization, this position establishes and maintains color standards, mastering processes, and approval workflows to support production-ready execution.
Success in this role requires a strong visual eye, technical understanding of materials and manufacturing tolerances, and close collaboration with design, engineering, quality, and supplier partners to deliver premium, brand-consistent products.
What You'll Do
Manage the color mastering process from CMF design hand-off through production sign-off for all A-surface materials.
Lead physical sample reviews and visual alignment sessions across paint, plastics, graphics, and soft materials.
Create, maintain, and control master color and finish standards (paint chips, texture plaques, vinyl samples, etc.).
Validate color, gloss, texture, and finish consistency across materials and suppliers.
Partner with suppliers and internal teams to quickly resolve color matching and visual quality issues.
Maintain a physical and visual library of approved finishes for cross-functional reference.
Collaborate closely with CMF designers, engineering, quality, manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure alignment and manufacturability.
Support new color technologies, finish testing, and material innovation efforts in coordination with R&D.
Document approvals, standards, and decisions to ensure repeatable and scalable processes.
What You'll Bring
Master’s degree in CMF Design or Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Materials Engineering, Color Science, or a related field.
3+ years of experience in color development, material specification, or color quality control (automotive, powersports, or consumer products preferred).
Exceptional visual sensitivity to color, gloss, texture, and finish under varying lighting conditions.
Experience evaluating paints, plastics, decals, and soft goods from a visual quality perspective.
Working knowledge of color matching processes, master panel development, and manufacturing tolerances.
Strong communication and documentation skills; comfortable leading reviews and negotiating with suppliers.
Experience using visual evaluation tools such as light booths, gloss meters, and spectrophotometers.
Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
What Success Looks Like
Zero color-related delays at production launch.
High alignment between design intent and final production product.
Clear, well-maintained color standards library accessible across teams.
Trusted liaison between design, quality, manufacturing, and suppliers