Manufacturing Program Engineer

Optimal Inc.

$80K — $95K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
  • 4+ years of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Microsoft Project.
  • 2+ years of experience in problem-solving with a statistical approach.
  • 1+ years in Powertrain/Vehicle Operations manufacturing or program management with a focus on launches.
  • Familiarity with project management methodologies.

Responsibilities

  • Manage overall program delivery and execution of new vehicle launches.
  • Oversee pre-production build activities for quality and efficiency.
  • Lead the vehicle fleet management process, including ordering and testing.
  • Oversee design change approvals prior to prototype builds.
  • Drive resolution of build issues within the cross-functional team.
  • Facilitate relevant launch meetings and issue resolution discussions.
  • Prepare and present weekly program status reports to senior management.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Collaborative work environment with diverse teams.
  • Engagement in high-impact vehicle launch initiatives.
  • Integration support during transitions into manufacturing plants.
Full Job Description
Position Description:
The New Model Program Engineer plays a critical role in the successful launch of new vehicle and powertrain models within North America manufacturing plants. This position is responsible for the overall program management and delivery of new vehicle programs, ensuring successful execution across various phases including issue resolution, quality and status assessments, vehicle fleet management, and adherence to established budgets and timing.
The Engineer will contribute to success by actively managing and executing critical launch processes, collaborating with diverse skill teams, and ensuring timely communication on launch status and risks.
Program Governance: Serve as a key gatekeeper for New Model Programs, ensuring adherence to established processes and standards throughout the launch lifecycle.
Pre-Production Build Management: Manage and oversee all activities related to pre-production build events, ensuring they meet program objectives for quality and efficiency.
Vehicle Fleet Management: Manage the ordering, building, testing, and ultimate disposition of pre-production vehicles.
This includes the execution of the Pre-Production Drive Fleet Evaluation Plan.
Design Change Oversight: Manage the approval process for Product Development changes, ensuring these are integrated and proven out ahead of prototype builds.
Issue Resolution Leadership: Lead the build issues management process for the cross-functional program team, driving issues to resolution and ensuring timely closure of problems that could impact launch.
Meeting Coordination & Issue Driving: Co-chair relevant launch meetings and proactively drive resolution of part support issues for each pre-production build event.
Budget Execution: Manage launch budget approval processes and execute elements specifically controlled by New Model Programs within the overall launch budget.
Reporting & Assessment: Prepare and present comprehensive New Model Program weekly assessment reports, providing clear status updates and highlighting potential risks.
Senior Management Communication: Champion senior management presentations, effectively communicating program status, challenges, and proposed solutions.
Team Integration Support: Facilitate the smooth transition and integration of launch teams into the manufacturing plants.

Skills Required:
Program Management expectation is to maintain a list of issues and work with a cross functional team to resolve them.
Experience Required:
Bachelor's degree
4+ years of experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project.
2+ years of experience with problem solving disciplines using statistical mindsets
1+ years of experience in Powertrain/Vehicle Operations manufacturing, design, and/or program management, with Project management or launch experience.

Education Required:
Bachelor's Degree

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