Manufacturing Program Engineer

Optimal Staffing; Avon (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal Staffing seeks a New Model Program Engineer to lead launch activities for vehicle and powertrain programs in North America manufacturing. You will govern program processes, oversee pre-production builds, and manage vehicle fleets, changes, and risk communication to senior management.

The role requires coordinating cross-functional teams, driving issue resolution, and ensuring budget adherence across launch phases.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience using 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.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a gatekeeper for New Model Programs, ensuring adherence to processes and standards throughout the launch lifecycle.
• Manage pre-production build events to meet quality and efficiency objectives.
• Oversee vehicle fleet management including ordering, building, testing and disposition of pre-production vehicles and drive fleet evaluation.
• Direct change oversight for Product Development changes, ensuring integration before prototype builds.
• Lead build issue management with cross-functional teams to drive resolution and closure.
• Co-chair launch meetings and drive resolution of part support issues for each pre-production build.
• Manage launch budget approval processes and execution of budget-controlled elements.
• Prepare and present weekly New Model Program assessments highlighting status and risks.
• Champion senior management communications on program status, challenges, and solutions.
• Facilitate smooth transition of launch teams into manufacturing plants.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving with statistics

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Job 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:

• 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.