Automotive Program Manager — Interior Solutions

Mitchell-Plastics; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mitchell Plastics is seeking a Program Manager for its Corporate Engineering team based in Sterling Heights, MI. This role leads all phases of awarded program development—from concept through tooling and pre-production sign-off—driving schedules, budgets, and cross‑functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering with 5+ years of automotive interior component experience, and is proficient with MS Office, MS Project, CAD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in engineering of interior automotive components for automotive suppliers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and CAD software.
• Understanding of IATF 16949 quality and environmental management systems.
• Familiarity with OEM customer-specific requirements.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as required.

Responsibilities

• Own all phases of awarded program development including program management, project engineering, prototype assembly, design, tooling, quoting, feasibility, change notice process, and pre-production sign-off.
• Maintain ultimate timing responsibility through all development phases, tracking program schedules and tool progress reports.
• Lead regular APQP meetings; initiate program-specific meetings and ensure all discussions and approvals are properly recorded.
• Maintain program financial status by updating program quotations and balance sheets; ensure all documentation including POs, requisitions, and meeting minutes are current.
• Create and maintain all program information on the intranet; track incoming and outgoing data and maintain thorough program records.
• Lead conceptual and detailed product design including benchmarking, subcontracting, data transfer, design review, and design validation; communicate design progress to the customer.
• Conduct weekly design reviews with the design team; schedule milestone design reviews with cross-functional stakeholders from manufacturing, quality, and management.
• Manage the validation and test process; ensure all customer DVP&R requirements are met and concerns are addressed via 8D methodology with findings documented on DFMEA, PFMEA, and control plans.
• Manage the paint development process and coordinate pre-production and run-at-rate trials with support from program engineers and the manufacturing paint engineer.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Customer communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

CAD software

Job description

Mitchell Plastics is seeking a Program Manager for its Corporate Engineering team based in Sterling Heights, MI. This role leads all phases of awarded program development—from concept through tooling and pre-production sign-off—driving schedules, budgets, and cross‑functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering with 5+ years of automotive interior component experience, and is proficient with MS Office, MS Project, CAD.