Program Manager

Socket.dev; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev seeks an energetic Program Manager (Launch Engineer) to lead product launches across industries, focusing on tooling, costing, and process optimization. You will guide cross-functional teams with engineering and purchasing, reporting program status to leadership and escalating issues as needed.

The role requires 2+ years in launch/program management, experience with gate reviews and APQP/PPAP, and a strong for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in Launch or Program Management, preferably in automotive or appliance industries.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple program launches simultaneously.
• Must have experience with gate reviews, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, IATF, etc.

Responsibilities

• Directs, coordinates and exercises functional authority for planning and completing major programs.
• Plans and formulates engineering programs and organizes projects by requirements.
• Assigns personnel to project phases such as design, process design or full program.
• Ensures programs meet goals of quality, cost, delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Acts as supplier and customer liaison; first contact for issues.
• Reviews designs for compliance with standards and customer specs.
• Coordinates design and testing scheduling; resolves engineering problems.
• Coordinates tooling decisions with Tooling Engineer and approvals.

Skills

Launch management

Cross-functional leadership

APQP/PPAP familiarity

Problem solving (8D, Ishikawa, 5-Why)

Continuous improvement (Six Sigma, Ka?

Budget/cost control

GD&T reading

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Description

Overview

We are seeking an energetic and detail-oriented Program Manager (Launch Engineer) to lead the team in launching new products in industries such as automotive, heaving truck, and commercial food equipment. Responsible for evaluating tooling/capital, manufacturing process flow and layout inputs to drive the accuracy of product costing during product life cycle, along with Engineering and Purchasing, and acting as the key spokesperson for plant project deliverable status updates and escalation of the issues to the leadership team. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced setting, leveraging strong leadership, technical proficiency, and strategic planning skills to drive successful launches that align with organizational goals.

Responsibilities:

• Comply with all the Anchor Principles and Guidelines, as well as Anchor polices and procedures.
• Directs, coordinates and exercises functional authority for planning, organization, control, integration and completion of a large and important project or a program represented by a number of small projects with many complex features. A substantial amount of the work supervised is comparable to that described for Project Engineer.
• Plans & Formulates engineering program & organizes projects according to project requirements.
• Assigns Project personnel to specific phases or aspects of the project, such as technical studies, preparation of specifications, process design etc., or to the complete new program.
• Ensure assigned programs attain established goals with a clear focus on quality, cost , delivery, and complete customer satisfaction. Coordinate activities with internal and external resources as needed.
• Act as supplier and customer liaison, serving as first point of contact.
• Reviews new designs for the compliance with engineering principles, company standards, and customer specifications.
• Coordinates activities concerned with technical developments scheduling and resolving engineering design and test problems.
• Evaluates and approves design changes, specifications and drawing releases.
• Controls expenditures within limitations of project budget.
• Prepares interim and completion project reports.
• Performs other work related duties that management deems necessary.
• Decisions regarding tooling, gage and machine build sourcing; design requirements and or design issues that impact cost, timing or delivery have to be coordinated with designated Tooling Engineer, and approved by Management.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years in Launch or Program Management, preferably in the automotive or appliance industries.
• Prior experience leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple program launches simultaneously.
• Must have experience with gate reviews, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, IATF, etc.
• Experience with problem solving methodologies and tools, including 8D, Fault Tree Analysis, Ishikawa Diagrams, Cause/Effect, 5-Why, etc.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies, including Six Sigma, Lean, Kaizen, 5S, etc.
• Experience with mechanical presses, welding, assembly, coil processing equipment, and associated material handling equipment and automation required.
• Ability to read prints and understand GD&T, model visualization and engineering standards as they relate to the customer projects.
• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably with course of study in Program Management or Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or 5 years of relevant experience.