Powertrain Project Manager

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

Job summary

Optimal is seeking a Sub System Technical Manager to serve as the on-site propulsion systems technical lead at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. You will own propulsion readiness from execution builds through production, coordinating hardware, software, and calibration integration with cross-functional teams.

The role requires strong leadership, deep experience in automotive propulsion, and the ability to drive timely issue resolution across engineering, manufacturing, supplier quality, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of automotive manufacturing, propulsion, or vehicle integration experience.
• Experience with hardware/software release and integration processes.
• Ability to lead structured problem solving across engineering, manufacturing, supplier quality, and production teams.
• Strong communication, organization, escalation, and technical decision-making in a fast-paced plant environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead in-plant integration and readiness of PRS components and calibrations.
• Confirm hardware, software, flash content, and build timing align for execution and production needs.
• Organize PRS triage for plant-based issues with clear ownership and closure criteria.
• Represent propulsion during rolls testing, EOL activities, and audit findings.
• Coordinate propulsion part sign-off at execution builds, verifying pedigree and fit.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Engineering knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Flash stations

Calibration management

Job description

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 elevate 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+ yrs 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.

Use of AI Technology

Unless expressly authorized in the interview/skill set validation instructions, candidates may not use AI tools or other third-party assistance during an interview or assessment to generate or provide substantive answers to interview questions. Candidates should answer organically in their own words, drawing on their own knowledge, skills, and experience. Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in the candidate being removed from consideration.