Program Manager

Socket.dev; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

401K with company match

Paid vacation/sick

Lunch provided

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead automotive programs across the full product lifecycle. You will coordinate with HQ, customers, suppliers, and engineering teams to ensure on‑time delivery, quality, and compliance with industry standards.

The role requires a bilingual (Korean/English) communicator with strong leadership and cross‑functional collaboration skills. A bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in automotive program management are preferred, with PM certification a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; technical/engineering background preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of program/project management in automotive.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams across multiple phases.
• Experience coaching/developing project managers is a plus.
• PM certification preferred.
• Experience in a Program Manager or Design Release environment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers on assigned programs.
• Coordinate with HQ to monitor and resolve issues and provide status updates.
• Lead design discussions, technology promotion, process, and business meetings.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to develop and implement solutions.
• Establish and maintain program plans, milestones, and resource needs.
• Manage risks, changes, and production readiness across programs.
• Ensure compliance with SQMS requirements and applicable automotive standards.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional teams

Communication

Korean-English bilingual

Stakeholder management

Project management

Automotive knowledge

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Engineering degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

PM software

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Initial Communication & Issue Resolution:
  • Serve as the first point of contact for any business-related issues, ensuring prompt and effective resolution.
  • Function as a liaison between customers and internal teams, facilitating clear and timely communication.
• Coordination with Headquarters (HQ):
  • Work closely with HQ to monitor and resolve issues, ensuring alignment with company policies and procedures.
  • Provide regular updates to HQ on project status, customer feedback, and potential challenges.
• Customer Requirement Analysis & Solution Provision:
  • Clarify customer requirements through detailed discussions and documentation.
  • Provide tailored solutions to address both business and engineering-related challenges.
• Customer Support & Engineering Collaboration:
  • Assist customers in resolving technical and operational issues, ensuring smooth project execution.
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to develop and implement effective solutions.
• Program Leadership & Ownership
  • Own and manage assigned programs across the full product lifecycle, including program award, development, supplier selection, launch, series production, post-production performances and lessons learned, in alignment with the LGD product delivery process lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary, cross functional teams to achieve program objectives related to timing, quality and customer satisfaction.
  • Establish, maintain, and monitor top-level programs plans, including customer milestones, internal deliverables, and resource requirements.
• Customer & Stakeholder interface:
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for customers on assigned programs, leading all program‑related communications.
  • Build strong customer relationships and represent with professionalism, accountability, and transparency.
  • Participate in lessons‑learned analyses for both awarded and lost business opportunities.
• Meeting Coordination & Facilitation:
  • Arrange and facilitate meetings for design, innovative technology promotion, process, and business discussions between LG Display and customers.
  • Ensure all stakeholders are aligned on project goals, timelines, and deliverables.
• Program Execution & Performance:
  • Deliver business results that meet or exceed LGD expectations for awarded programs, with clear accountability for timing, quality performance.
  • Regularly communicate program status, risks, and mitigation plans to internal teams and management steering committees.
  • Coordinate and monitor program documentation, schedules, technical performance (including tooling, and capacity), quality deliverables, and production readiness.
  • Proactively manage risks, implement countermeasures, and escalate issues when required.
• Change, Risk & Production Management:
  • Lead the global Change Management process, ensuring alignment to design, specifications, cost, and timing commitments.
  • Manage the Series Production phase, including claims management, change execution, continuous improvement initiatives, ECR/APQP change/validation change activities, and ongoing commercial negotiations.
  • Ensure sufficient resources are planned and allocated to support quality, timing, safety, and security objectives.
• Compliance, Quality & Safety:
  • Ensure programs are executed in accordance with Supplier Quality Management System (SQMS) requirements.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable automotive standards and customer‑specific requirements, including IATF 16949, Automotive SPICE, ISO 17025.
  • Maintain working knowledge of APQP and regulations and ensure all program activities are performed in a safe manner.
• Business Travel & Customer Support:
  • Conduct business trips to manufacturing sites or HQ to support customer visits and project reviews.
  • Function as a key representative during customer visits, ensuring a positive and productive experience.
• Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent experience (three additional years of relevant technical experience in degree). A technical or engineering degree is strongly preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 years of project and/or program management experience within the automotive industry, with a demonstrated record of successful program execution.
  • Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage complex programs across multiple phases of the product lifecycle.
  • Experience coaching or developing project and/or program managers is preferred.
  • Project Management certification is preferred.
  • Prior experience in a Program manager or Design release engineer environment is a plus.
• Language Proficiency:
  • Bilingual in Korean and English required.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with global clients and internal teams.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Familiarity with project management tools and software.
  • Solid understanding of automotive product development processes and cross‑functional engineering practices.
  • Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to drive results in a global environment.
• Confidentiality & Information Management:
  • Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately, ensuring data security and compliance.

• Heath, Dental and Vision and Life Insurance covered at 100% for employees
• 401(K) plan with company match
• Paid Vacation/Sick
• Lunch provided