Program Engineer – Metal Manufacturing

Confidential; Bingham Farms (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with a 4% company match

Paid time off

Paid sick time

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Federal Group USA is seeking a supplier-facing engineering professional to manage metal manufacturing projects across an international supplier network. You will work with clients, factories, and leadership to review prints, advise on methods, and ensure manufacturing readiness.

Ideal candidates have a manufacturing background, experience with PPAP/APQP/8D, and strong vendor interaction. Based at our Bingham Farms, MI office with global travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent) required.
• Hands-on manufacturing background with castings, forgings, or machined components.
• Experience reviewing prints, tolerances, and material callouts.
• Fluency in supplier management language: PPAP, APQP, 8D, corrective actions, GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Manage metal manufacturing projects from sample development through full production.
• Advise clients on methods, materials, and finishing options.
• Review prints for feasibility and readiness.
• Oversee vendor management and supplier selection with Sourcing.
• Travel internationally for factory tours and audits.
• Escalate at-risk projects to COO/CEO.
• Lead kickoff meetings with clients and vendors.
• Provide status updates to stakeholders.

Skills

PPAP

APQP

GD&T

Vendor management

Project management

Mechanical engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering

Job description

This is a supplier-facing engineering role — not a plant position. You'll manage metal manufacturing projects across an international supplier network, from first samples through full production, working directly with clients, factories, and our leadership team. You need a genuine manufacturing background — you'll be reviewing prints, auditing factories, and advising clients on methods and materials — but your workplace is the supplier relationship, not the shop floor.

If you've spent years at a Tier 1 or OEM chasing PPAPs, reviewing supplier inspection reports, and managing overseas foundries and machine shops — but you're tired of the automotive program grind — this role offers the same technical work with far more variety and direct impact.

What You'll Do

• Manage metal manufacturing projects cross-functionally from sample development through full production
• Advise clients on manufacturing best practices — methods, materials, and finishing options
• Review new projects for technical feasibility and manufacturing readiness
• Ensure customer prints are complete and accurate: tolerances, specifications, revisions, and material callouts; flag prints requiring client revision or formal sign-off
• Review vendor RFQs and quotes for technical accuracy and field technical questions during quoting
• Oversee day-to-day vendor management and performance; partner with Sourcing on supplier selection to ensure capabilities align with project requirements
• Travel internationally for factory tours and vendor audits with the Sourcing team
• Partner with Quality and Supplier Quality Engineers on non-conforming parts, corrective actions, vendor inspection reports, and in-process/incoming inspections
• Communicate technical information, deviations, and factory requests to the sales team for client follow-up
• Lead project kickoff meetings with clients and vendors
• Provide regular project status updates to internal and external stakeholders; escalates at-risk projects to the COO/CEO

What We're Looking For

• Hands-on experience with castings, forgings, cold headed parts, and/or machined components — you know what good looks like and what goes wrong
• Background in supplier quality, sourcing engineering, program/launch engineering, or manufacturing engineering with significant vendor interaction
• Fluency in the language of supplier management: PPAP, APQP, 8D, corrective actions, GD&T, print review
• Strong project management instincts — organizing cross-functional work, hitting deadlines, and communicating status clearly in a dynamic environment
• Comfort working directly with customers and with international manufacturing partners
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for factory visits and vendor audits
• Hindi language skills are a strong plus
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent experience)

Why This Role

• Variety: Six manufacturing disciplines and a diverse customer base — no two projects look alike
• Visibility: Direct access to the CEO and COO; your recommendations reach decision-makers the same day
• Global exposure: Work directly with international manufacturing partners, including on-site factory visits
• Stability: An established company with long-standing customer and supplier relationships
• Location: Based at our Bingham Farms, MI office

What We Offer

• Health insurance
• 401(k) with a 4% company match
• Paid time off, starting at 7 days annually
• Paid sick time in accordance with applicable state requirements
• Paid holidays

About The Federal Group USA

We’re a leading producer of custom metal components that combines engineering expertise with advanced manufacturing processes. We deliver innovative metal manufacturing solutions for industries throughout the world.

The pay range for this role is:

80,000 - 100,000 USD per year (Headquarters)