Master’s in Multi-Platform Exterior Packaging Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in multi-platform exterior packaging engineering: 12 modules covering vehicle architecture and platforms, dimensions, wheel envelopes, powertrain package, visibility, passive safety, closures, exterior lighting, multi-market homologation and digital packaging tools under SAE J1100, Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Multi-Platform Exterior Packaging Engineering — studying from the United States
Product design and human-machine interface development are vital across American industries, from consumer electronics and medical devices to vehicles and industrial equipment. Design teams cluster in technology hubs such as Silicon Valley, Seattle, New York and Austin, as well as in manufacturing regions. Engineers in this area balance usability, ergonomics, aesthetics and manufacturability while meeting accessibility and safety requirements. Demand continues to grow as connected products require intuitive, reliable interfaces.
Fees for the United States: US$9,970 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which US professional bodies relate to product design and human-machine interface work?
Product and HMI design in the US is supported by organizations such as the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), and the Association for Computing Machinery's SIGCHI community. No state licence is required for product design. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official degrees, so their recognition depends on employers or relevant bodies.
How do US product and design employers view a private online engineering qualification?
US design studios, consumer product firms and software companies mainly evaluate portfolios, user-research experience and collaboration skills. A private online qualification can document specialist study, but it is not a standard requirement and each employer decides its relevance. A strong portfolio of shipped or prototyped work usually counts for more.
Can I manage this programme from the US while working, and how is the cost handled?
The programmes are online and taught in English, so they can be studied from home without a student visa. Plan for about 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, or 300 hours for a specialist course. An assigned technical tutor supports you throughout. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, so check whether your employer offers professional development funding.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Define hardpoints and dimension sheets according to SAE J1100.
Develop platforms capable of supporting multiple body styles.
Integrate combustion, electric and hydrogen powertrains.
Verify visibility, lighting and safety in the exterior package.
Resolve wheel, suspension and closure-mechanism envelopes.
Adapt the vehicle to the homologation requirements of several markets.
Manage packaging decisions within the vehicle programme.
Who it's for
- Vehicle packaging engineers.
- Platform architects.
- Homologation engineers who need a deeper view of vehicle layout.
- Vehicle integration engineers.
- Hardpoint and dimensions specialists.
- Vehicle attribute managers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive industry.
What you'll work with
- SAE J1100 (motor vehicle dimensions)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/858 (type approval of motor vehicles)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 (General Safety Regulation)
- UNECE Regulation No. 48 (installation of lighting and light-signalling devices)
- UNECE Regulation No. 46 (devices for indirect vision)
- UNECE Regulation No. 125 (driver's forward field of vision)
- SAE J941 (driver's eye locations (eyellipse))
- ISO 612 (road vehicle dimensions – terms and definitions)
- CATIA V5
- RAMSIS
- Siemens NX
- Teamcenter
- Autodesk VRED
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Modular platforms: MQB, CMF and E-GMP1.2Wheelbase, track widths and overhangs1.3Definition and control of hardpoints1.4Dedicated versus multi-energy platforms1.5Body variants on a single platform1.6Commonality and complexity costs1.7Derivative matrices and top hats1.8Battery pack within the architecture1.9Dimension sheets according to SAE J11001.10Case study: derivatives of a compact platform
2.1Vehicle coordinate system2.2Main exterior dimensions in SAE J11002.3Approach, departure and ramp-over angles2.4Ground clearance and load conditions2.5Ground line and design positions2.6Turning radii and kerb-to-kerb diameter2.7Tyre dimensions and envelopes2.8Dimensional benchmarking of competitors2.9Segment dimensional databases2.10Practical: dimension sheet for a crossover
3.1Tyre envelopes under compression3.2Steering angles and snow chains3.3Wheel arches and minimum clearances3.4Suspension travel and rebound3.5Influence on overall width3.6Wheel-arch liners3.7Wheel and tyre variants3.8Wheel coverage in homologation3.9Spare wheel and tyre repair kits3.10Lab: dynamic envelope in CATIA
4.1Combustion engine and front compartment4.2Electric motors and eDrive axles4.3Underfloor traction batteries4.4Fuel cells and hydrogen tanks4.5Radiators and cooling circuits4.6Exhaust and exhaust-gas aftertreatment4.7Location of the charger and charging ports4.8Crash safety of the powertrain package4.9Accessibility for maintenance and servicing4.10Case study: shared BEV and PHEV package
5.1Forward field of vision according to UNECE 1255.2A-pillar obstruction5.3Rear vision through mirrors5.4Camera-monitor systems replacing mirrors5.5Windscreen wiper sweep areas5.6Windscreen defrosting and demisting5.7Blind spots and detection sensors5.8Eyellipses according to SAE J9415.9Direct vision in commercial vehicles5.10Practical: A-pillar obstruction study
6.1Front crumple zones6.2Pedestrian protection and head impact zone6.3Side impact and cross-member structure6.4Rear impact and tank protection6.5Bumpers and low-speed tests6.6Rescue access and emergency entry6.7Euro NCAP assessment protocols6.8Integration of ADAS into bumpers6.9Trade-offs with the front overhang6.10Case study: minimum overhang with pedestrian protection
7.1Doors, hinges and opening angles7.2Sliding and gull-wing doors7.3Tailgates and boots7.4Load sill height7.5Bonnets and service access7.6Panoramic roofs and sunroofs7.7Roof bars and dynamic loads7.8Tow bars and homologation7.9Front boot on electric vehicles7.10Workshop: tailgate kinematics
8.1Headlamp positioning according to UNECE 488.2Geometric visibility angles of lamps8.3Rear lamps and direction indicators8.4Number-plate location and its lighting8.5Daytime running and position lamps8.6LiDAR and cameras integrated into lamps8.7Sensor cleaning systems8.8Brand light signature8.9Regional lighting variants8.10Practical: geometric verification of headlamps
9.1EU type approval9.2The framework of Regulation (EU) 2018/8589.3FMVSS standards in the United States9.4Chinese GB vehicle standards9.5Number-plate requirements by region9.6General Safety Regulation (EU) 2019/21449.7Tolerances in homologated dimensions9.8Management of regional variants9.9Technical homologation file9.10Case study: adapting a model for the US
10.1Packaging models in CATIA V510.2Digital manikins with RAMSIS10.3Kinematic studies of mechanisms10.4Packaging reviews in virtual reality10.5Envelope data management10.6Automation with scripts and macros10.7Automatic clash detection10.8Digital twin of the complete vehicle10.9Integration with the programme PLM10.10Lab: clash review of a package
11.1Phases of vehicle development11.2Packaging freeze milestones11.3Management of targets and attributes11.4Packaging committees and decision-making11.5Management of late changes11.6Package cost and weight11.7Technical coordination with suppliers11.8Continuous competitor benchmarking11.9Programme maturity indicators11.10Case study: conflict between packaging and styling
12.1Definition of segment and markets12.2Selection of the base platform12.3Hardpoints and dimension sheet12.4Envelope and mechanism studies12.5Verification of visibility and safety12.6Compatibility of body variants12.7Multi-market regulatory analysis12.8Presentation of the packaging proposal12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is CATIA V5, RAMSIS, Siemens NX, Teamcenter and Autodesk VRED, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: packaging reviews in virtual reality, envelope verification with physical mock-ups and visibility studies with digital manikins. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: SAE J1100, Regulation (EU) 2018/858, Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, UNECE Regulation No. 48, UNECE Regulation No. 46, UNECE Regulation No. 125, SAE J941, ISO 612.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with CATIA V5, RAMSIS, Siemens NX, Teamcenter and Autodesk VRED, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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