Program Management Analyst

Optimal; Allen Park (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal, based in Allen Park, Michigan, is seeking a skilled professional to manage project management software deployment and ensure effective program delivery. The role involves coordinating electrical engineering changes and monitoring design maturity.

The ideal candidate has a BS in engineering, 5+ years in automotive programs, and is proficient in tools like WERS and Bill of Materials. The position requires managing multiple tasks under tight deadlines in a matrix organization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in automotive programs.
• Ability to handle complex tasks under compressed timing.
• Experience launching new vehicles and working with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage project management software deployment.
• Track and manage ESI deliverables through GPDS milestones.
• Drive the on-time release of all electrical parts.
• Facilitate and track Interface Agreements between module owners.

Skills

Change Management

Product Development

Product Management

Release Management

Systems Engineering

Team Center

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering or BS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

BBA or Associate Degree or BS in Business Administration or equivalent

Tools

FEDE BOM

WERS

Bill of Material

AIMS

DFMEA

Six Sigma

Job description

Position Description

Must be experienced in managing project management software deployment, supporting program and project managers and program analysts, to ensure that the work is delivered effectively. Able to help resolve any problems or issues that may arise. Ability to integrate, consolidate, and manage multiple projects and integrate multiple model year plans for major program teams, as applicable. Must have the ability and authority to provide guidance to PMA supplier staff and ability to interface with upper level management. Works with minimal supervision and able to function effectively in a matrix organization.

Skills Required

• Change Management – lead the cross‑functional coordination of electrical engineering changes (DCRs). Track changes from initiation to final approval, ensuring downstream partners (wire harness, purchasing, manufacturing) assess and sign off on cost, weight, and tooling timing impacts to protect vehicle launch.
• Product Development – proactively track and manage ESI deliverables through GPDS milestones (e.g., KO through FEC). Monitor design maturity and test status leading up to virtual and physical builds (VP, TT), identifying timing bottlenecks or supplier issues early to prevent build delays.
• Product Management – manage feature‑to‑part complexity matrices. Align electrical architectures, module variants, and harness part numbers with the Marketing Feature Availability List (MFAL) and program cost/complexity targets.
• Release Management – drive the on‑time release of all Electrical parts (ECUs, wire harnesses). Audit release readiness for build milestones, ensuring engineers clear WERS alerts, resolve "not‑released" (NR) statuses, and secure purchasing/manufacturing sign‑offs prior to release freezes.
• Systems Engineering – facilitate and track Interface Agreements (IAs) between ESI and other module owners (e.g., ADAS, Infotainment). Monitor the release status of network communications databases to ensure integration testing is not delayed. 6. WERS – demonstrate high proficiency in WERS to independently query and report on Engineering Concerns, track/drive the closure of WERS alerts, and ensure correct part effectivity dates are applied for plant execution.
• Team Center – utilize Teamcenter to monitor design maturity and BOM alignment. Track CAD maturity of wiring harnesses and verify that the engineering BOM (eBOM) matches physical releases in WERS for electrical components/commodities.

Experience Required

• BS Mechanical Engineering or BS Electrical Engineering (or equivalent) or BBA or Associate Degree or BS in Business Administration (or equivalent)
• 5+ years experience on automotive programs
• Understanding of GPDS deliverables and basic engineering tools (FEDE BOM / WERS / Bill of Material / AIMS / 8Ds / Part Sign-Off / GPIRs / FEDE DVP / Engineering Sign Off / DFMEA / FMA / Six Sigma)
• Experience launching new vehicles and working with a Cross‑functional team
• Ability to handle complex and multiple tasks and complicated situations under compressed timing
• Assist PMT leader to coordinate and manage Electrical design, development, engineering, validation, and certification statuses for the team on Performance vehicles to support program and engineering GPDS milestones
• Support supplier sourcing processes and FMA activities
• Review daily Base and FP specific Change Control Decks for any CRs that impact our FP product lines
• Support weekly FP specific Change Control meeting
• Review any changes with interfacing D&R engineer to confirm FP impact and update the D screen with PMT5 sign‑off
• Attend Daily Red Border / Part Shortage / OTG meetings for FP programs and follow‑up on any PMT specific open item parts through completion