Chief Engineer - Survivability

AM GENERAL LLC; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

AM General LLC in Michigan seeks a Chief Engineer to lead design, development, production, and testing of armored vehicle systems. You will drive cross-functional collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and testing to meet schedule and budget.

The role requires deep experience in military vehicle engineering, armor integration, and program leadership. Travel to test facilities and vendors is expected; security clearance may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level engineering degree (BSME/BSEE) or equivalent.
• 15+ years engineering experience in military/tactical vehicles or defense.
• Hands-on armor integration into vehicle structures.
• Familiarity with military specs and standards.
• Experience with armor and composite armor manufacturing.
• Ballistic and blast threat testing experience.
• EMI/EMC knowledge a plus.
• GD&T knowledge.
• MS Office 365 proficiency.
• Ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Act as technical lead integrating cross-functional teams across product development.
• Define, plan, track, and manage assigned projects.
• Lead design reviews and risk strategies for vehicle systems.
• Support programs requiring analysis of specifications and standards.
• Identify resources and provide direction to meet objectives.
• Translate concepts into prototypes for testing and production.
• Ensure validation and verification of components.
• Communicate status and next steps with stakeholders.
• Travel to test or vendor facilities as needed.
• Develop initial drawings for troubleshooting and design releases.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Systems engineering

GD&T

EMI/EMC

Armor integration

Ballistic testing

MS Office 365

Security clearance eligibility

Vehicle systems engineering

Education

BSME, BSEE or equivalent

Tools

MS Office 365

Job description

INTRODUCTION TO AM GENERAL

AM General develops and builds specialized ground vehicle systems that get the US Armed Services and our allies to and from their mission safely. Our innovative spirit delivers advanced, rugged, resilient, and dependable mobility solutions. We are one team dedicated to producing the best products for our customers. We have a collective understanding that at AM General our purpose is to serve those who serve to protect us.

We R.I.D.E. with Sgt. Smith!

We are R responsiveWe have IntegrityWe are DynamicWe exhibit Excellence

GENERAL SUMMARY

Manages all engineering activities within a department including design, development, production, and testing. Implements and maintains overall engineering objectives and initiatives. Confronts and solves performance/operational issues to improve development efficiency. Leads and develops the engineering team. Oversees a robust project management process and delivery timelines to keep projects on schedule and on budget. Monitors the status of projects and provides guidance to reporting engineers.

Directs and Assists in the design, development, test, and release of major vehicle body, armor and survivability components encompassing the incorporation of customer requirements and specifications. Interfaces with product design, prototype parts fabrication, vehicle build-up, test, ongoing development engineering and follow-up of initial and postproduction in the plant.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Chief Engineer may specialize in chassis, electrical, powertrain, armor, body and survivability, or systems engineering
• Will act as technical lead with primary role of integrating cross-functionally through multiple departments during product development, defining, planning, tracking, and managing the project assigned
• Has expertise to lead functional design reviews and key decisions as well as risk strategies for vehicle and project systems
• Lead/Support programs that require extensive analysis and interpretation of specifications and standards applicable to vehicles and/or assemblies
• Responsible for identifying key resources and providing the direction required for meeting the project objectives
• Has appropriate technical expertise for transforming vehicle engineering systems concepts into prototypes for testing, validation and production, customer and supplier involvement through the life of the project
• Must be able to understand and interpret requirements, specifications, and standards applicable to vehicles and/or assemblies, including understanding customer requirements, creating component requirements, and understanding supplier interfaces and schematics
• Must be able to determine and coordinate the appropriate validation and verification of components
• Be able to ensure all vehicle issues are identified, resolved, and documented during testing phases or product launches
• Develop initial concepts of drawings that can be used for troubleshooting of issues, or be developed further for use in vehicle design and drawing releases.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, plant personnel, vendors with various stakeholders by communicating project status, issues and next steps
• Willing and able to occasionally travel to test facilities or vendor facilities
• Be able to direct and assist in creating basic tolerance stack-ups, performing linkage studies and ensuring proper fit of components

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• BSME, BSEE or equivalent, relevant materials engineering degree
• Prefer 15+ years of engineering experience, preferably within military tactical vehicles, ground vehicles, or the defense industry. Experience to include vehicle design, test and overall development
• Hands-on experience integrating armor into vehicle body structures
• Familiarity will military specifications and standards preferred
• Experience with armor and composite armor manufacturing processes and tooling
• Experience with ballistic and blast threat testing
• Experience in the areas of EMI/EMC is also a plus
• Experience in the use and application of GD&T
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project
• Must be able to obtain security clearance

PHYSICAL EFFORT

• Sight: must be able to regularly read computer screen, reports, and various documents with detail and clarity to accomplish work tasks in a safe and efficient manner, including regular use of adequate close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus
• Hearing: must be able to regularly hear well enough to communicate
• Hand-Eye Coordination: must be able to regularly coordinate one's eyes with one's fingers, wrists, or arms to move, carry, or manipulate objects or to perform other job-related tasks
• Manual Dexterity: must be able to regularly make quick, accurate, skillful, and coordinated movement with hands and arms to grasp, place, move, or use objects such as phone, computer, and other office equipment, tools, or controls
• Agility: must be able to regularly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, or legs to perform job tasks, including the ability to move throughout all areas of the facility, Company's property surrounding facility, or additional work areas
• Climbing / Kneeling: must be able to occasionally climb, kneel, bend over, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, with balance
• Lifting: must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds with or without assistance
• Physical Strength: must be able to occasionally lift, push, pull, or carry objects using hands, arms, back, abdominal muscles, shoulders, legs, or a combination of these muscle groups
• Stamina: must be able to occasionally exert oneself physically over long periods of time, including performing repetitive or strenuous tasks as well as standing and sitting for long periods

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Physical Location: This position operates between an office and manufacturing plant environment and is often assigned to a specific shift or hours. The Employee must be able to perform job functions in an environment with varying difficult work conditions such as extreme cold, heat, inclement weather, at heights, and/or while exposed to constant/intermittent loud noises
• Teamwork: This position will work with others to ensure efficiency in the workplace
• Listening Skills: This position will need to understand how to use machinery properly and safely to prevent accidents and ensure all tasks are completed accurately
• Ability to follow instructions: Managers assign tasks and responsibilities, which vary; this position should be able to follow instructions competently
• Methodical approach: Production lines follow a set process, so this position needs a methodical approach to ensure all tasks are completed in the correct order for a smooth-running production line
• Concentration: This position may perform the same or similar tasks repeated, so a strong level of concentration when carrying out these tasks is important for quality control purposes. This role is often fast paced, so being able to maintain focus at all times is important

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Up to 30% travel may be required

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.