Powertrain Project Manager

Optimal Staffing; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal Staffing seeks a Sub System Technical Manager to lead propulsion system integration at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. You will own the readiness of PRS components, software, and calibrations, coordinating across engineering, manufacturing, supplier quality, and production control to keep builds on track.

The role requires strong problem solving, extensive automotive experience, and willingness to work on-site with irregular hours as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, manufacturing, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 8+ years’ experience required.
• Experience with automotive manufacturing, vehicle integration, propulsion systems, product development, launch, or production support.
• Working knowledge of hardware and software/calibration release and integration processes.
• Ability to lead structured problem solving across engineering, manufacturing, supplier quality, and production organizations.
• Strong communication, organization, escalation, and technical decision-making skills in a fast-paced plant environment.
• Ability to work on site at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and support build or production needs outside normal hours when required.

Responsibilities

• Plant integration of PRS components and software/calibrations: Lead the in-plant integration and readiness of PRS components, software, and calibrations.
• Confirm that hardware, software, flash content, and build timing are aligned for execution and production needs.
• PRS triage leadership: Organize and maintain alignment with PRS triage for plant-based issues. Establish clear problem statements, priorities, owners, containment actions, escalation paths, and closure criteria.
• Rolls, EOL, and audit representation: Represent propulsion systems for rolls testing, end-of-line activities, and audit findings. Ensure propulsion concerns are understood, documented, assigned, and driven to resolution.
• Execution-build part sign-off: Coordinate and complete propulsion part sign-off at execution builds, including verification of correct parts, pedigree, fit, function, and issue disposition.
• Plant flash-station software integration: Coordinate software and calibration integration into plant flash stations. Align content, release timing, validation status, station readiness, and recovery plans with the appropriate teams.
• In-plant PER coordination: Coordinate plant-based PER activity, including engineering support, vehicle or part availability, execution timing, results capture, and follow-up actions.
• RMS and TEQ issue resolution: Drive timely resolution of plant RMS and TEQ issues affecting propulsion, including supplier quality, manufacturing, and engineering concerns. Maintain cross-functional ownership through verified closure.
• MLM and production control alignment: Ensure accurate and sufficient propulsion alignment within MLM and production control processes, including part readiness, software applicability, build instructions, breakpoints, and production timing.
• Engineering engagement at the plant: Manage and coordinate engineering engagement at SHAP. Match technical resources to plant priorities, facilitate on-site support, maintain stakeholder communication, and escalade gaps that threaten build or production objectives.

Skills

Automotive manufacturing

Vehicle integration

Propulsion systems

Product development

Launch

Production support

Hardware/software calibration release

Structured problem solving

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/engineering technology/manufacturing or related discipline

Job description

The OEM client requires candidates to be on company's W2 pay. C2C and referral candidates will not be considered.

Position Summary:

The Sub System Technical Manager serves as the on-site propulsion systems technical lead at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. The role is accountable for integrating PRS hardware, software, and calibrations into plant operations; coordinating rapid triage and issue resolution; representing propulsion at key plant quality gates; and ensuring disciplined alignment among engineering, manufacturing, supplier quality, production control, and plant leadership. The position provides clear ownership for propulsion readiness from execution builds through production.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Plant integration of PRS components and software/calibrations: Lead the in-plant integration and readiness of PRS components, software, and calibrations.


• Confirm that hardware, software, flash content, and build timing are aligned for execution and production needs.


• PRS triage leadership: Organize and maintain alignment with PRS triage for plant-based issues. Establish clear problem statements, priorities, owners, containment actions, escalation paths, and closure criteria.


• Rolls, EOL, and audit representation: Represent propulsion systems for rolls testing, end-of-line activities, and audit findings. Ensure propulsion concerns are understood, documented, assigned, and driven to resolution.


• Execution-build part sign-off: Coordinate and complete propulsion part sign-off at execution builds, including verification of correct parts, pedigree, fit, function, and issue disposition.


• Plant flash-station software integration: Coordinate software and calibration integration into plant flash stations. Align content, release timing, validation status, station readiness, and recovery plans with the appropriate teams.


• In-plant PER coordination: Coordinate plant-based PER activity, including engineering support, vehicle or part availability, execution timing, results capture, and follow-up actions.


• RMS and TEQ issue resolution: Drive timely resolution of plant RMS and TEQ issues affecting propulsion, including supplier quality, manufacturing, and engineering concerns. Maintain cross-functional ownership through verified closure.


• MLM and production control alignment: Ensure accurate and sufficient propulsion alignment within MLM and production control processes, including part readiness, software applicability, build instructions, breakpoints, and production timing.


• Engineering engagement at the plant: Manage and coordinate engineering engagement at SHAP. Match technical resources to plant priorities, facilitate on-site support, maintain stakeholder communication, and escalade gaps that threaten build or production objectives.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, manufacturing, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.


• 8+ years’ experience required


• Experience with automotive manufacturing, vehicle integration, propulsion systems, product development, launch, or production support.


• Working knowledge of hardware and software/calibration release and integration processes.


• Ability to lead structured problem solving across engineering, manufacturing, supplier quality, and production organizations.


• Strong communication, organization, escalation, and technical decision-making skills in a fast-paced plant environment.


• Ability to work on site at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and support build or production needs outside normal hours when required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting vehicle assembly-plant launches, execution builds, production ramp-up, or steady-state manufacturing.


• Familiarity with plant flash systems, end-of-line diagnostics, propulsion controls, calibration management, and vehicle electrical architecture.


• Experience with PER, RMS, TEQ, MLM, production control, part pedigree, breakpoint management, and engineering change implementation.


• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical concerns into concise risk, action, and decision summaries for leadership.


• Key Interfaces


• PRS engineering and triage; plant manufacturing and quality; supplier quality; software and calibration teams; plant electrical and flash-station teams; production control and MLM stakeholders; vehicle integration; launch and program management; and plant leadership.

Working Hours:

• 6am-3pm with an hour lunch. OT required.


• Travel to Sterling Heights Assembly Plant on a daily basis.