Program Manager

Zohorecruit; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Hire is seeking a Program Manager to lead automotive product development and improvement initiatives. You will drive cross-functional programs from concept through production, balancing technical execution, schedules, quality, cost, and customer expectations.

Responsibilities include developing schedules, risk assessments, budgets, and status updates, and supporting APQP activities such as FMEA and Control Plans to ensure successful launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of program management, engineering, or new product development experience in automotive manufacturing.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering projects involving new product development and product improvement.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and automotive quality systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development programs from concept to production launch and implementation.
• Manage product improvement initiatives focused on quality, performance, manufacturability, and cost reduction.
• Coordinate activities across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and customer teams.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, risk assessments, budgets, and status updates.
• Support APQP activities, including FMEA, Control Plans, design reviews, and validation.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Quality & process improvement

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Design Hire is seeking a Program Manager to lead new product development and product improvement initiatives within an automotive manufacturing environment. This role is ideal for an experienced engineering professional who can drive cross-functional programs from concept through production while balancing technical execution, project schedules, quality, cost, and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead new product development programs from concept, design, validation, launch, and production implementation.
  
• Manage product improvement initiatives focused on quality, performance, manufacturability, and cost reduction.
  
• Coordinate activities across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and customer teams to ensure successful program execution.
  
• Develop and maintain project schedules, risk assessments, budgets, and program status updates while driving projects to completion.
  
• Support APQP activities, including FMEA development, Control Plans, design reviews, and product validation to ensure successful launches.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred.
  
• 5+ years of program management, engineering, or new product development experience within an automotive manufacturing environment.
  
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering projects involving new product development and product improvement.
  
• Strong understanding of engineering design, product development processes, and manufacturing operations.
  
• Experience developing and maintaining DFMEA, PFMEA, and Control Plans.
  
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and automotive quality systems is preferred.
  
• Proven ability to manage multiple programs, budgets, schedules, and customer expectations simultaneously.
  
• Strong communication, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
  

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Design Hire is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Aff

Employment Eligibility:

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.