Program Engineer (Japanese OEM Accounts)

2350 Axalta Coating Systems; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Axalta Coating Systems in Troy, MI is seeking a Program Engineer (Japanese OEM Accounts) to drive program and product activities, provide technical expertise to customers and internal teams, and coordinate with Technology, Marketing, Sales, and Operations for successful product launches and customer satisfaction.

The role requires fluent Japanese, a solid background in coatings and product development, and the ability to work across engineering, sales, and marketing functions while traveling up

Qualifications

• Fluent in Japanese.
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, engineering, or a related applied science field.
• At least six years of automotive, chemical, or related industry experience including sales, technical, and marketing roles with financial and business acumen.
• Strong background in coatings, paint formulation, and application processes (highly preferred).
• Knowledge of customer-specific test requirements and ability to analyze failure modes and provide solutions.
• Experience in an R&D environment and bringing new products to market.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with all organizational levels and customers.
• Capability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously and lead cross-functional teams without direct control.
• Proven problem-solving and analytical skills with data-based decision making.
• Strong data processing skills and proficiency in MS Office and Salesforce.
• Ability to collaborate and build teamwork.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and management of relationships with customer field team members, engineering, and manufacturing personnel to support growth plans.
• Serve as the technical spokesperson to customer design, materials engineering, and paint manufacturing groups.
• Provide Voice of Customer insights to Axalta Sales, Marketing, Technical, and Manufacturing functions.
• Maintain the accuracy of assigned program data within Salesforce and other internal software.
• Deliver technology reviews and reports to customers.
• Support customer-focused product quality investigations using recognized problem-solving techniques.
• Assist with new product launches, technology transfers, and obtaining and maintaining customer product approvals.
• Translate product data into effective marketing and sales tools.
• Consult with cross-functional teams to identify and implement VMI requirements and improvement opportunities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Cultivate a strong team culture by building collaborative cross-functional relationships and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Fluent in Japanese

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, engineering, or related applied science

Job description

Position Overview

Axalta is a global coatings company focused on innovative, sustainable solutions. We are seeking a Program Engineer (Japanese OEM Accounts) to join our facility in Troy, MI. The Program Engineer will execute program and product activities that support Axalta’s business objectives, provide technical expertise to customers and internal teams, and coordinate with Technology, Marketing, Sales, and Operations to drive successful product launches and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and management of critical relationships with customer field team members, engineering, and manufacturing personnel within the assigned customer base to support overall growth plans.
• Serve as the technical spokesperson to customer design, materials engineering, and paint manufacturing groups.
• Provide Voice of Customer insights to Axalta Sales, Marketing, Technical, and Manufacturing functions.
• Maintain the accuracy of assigned program data within Salesforce and other internal software.
• Deliver technology reviews and reports to customers.
• Support customer‑focused product quality investigations using recognized problem‑solving techniques.
• Assist with new product launches, technology transfers, and obtaining and maintaining customer product approvals.
• Translate product data into effective marketing and sales tools.
• Consult with cross‑functional teams to identify and implement VMI requirements and improvement opportunities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Cultivate a strong team culture by building collaborative cross‑functional relationships and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Requirements

• Fluent in Japanese.
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, engineering, or a related applied science field (preferred).
• At least six (6) years of automotive, chemical, or related industry experience, including sales, technical, and marketing roles with financial and business acumen.
• Strong background in coatings, paint formulation, and application processes (highly preferred).
• Knowledge of customer‑specific test requirements and ability to analyze failure modes and provide solutions.
• Experience in an R&D environment and bringing new products to market.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with all organizational levels and customers.
• Capability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously and lead cross‑functional teams without direct control.
• Proven problem‑solving and analytical skills with data‑based decision making.
• Strong data processing skills and proficiency in MS Office and Salesforce.
• Ability to collaborate and build teamwork.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Additional Information

Axalta may offer visa sponsorship and relocation assistance for qualified candidates. Specific details regarding sponsorship and relocation support will be discussed during the hiring process and finalized at the offer stage. This is an active opening for which we are recruiting to fill immediately.

EEO Statement

2 - Professionals (EEO-1 Job Categories-United States of America)