Program Manager - Automotive

Mitchell-Plastics; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mitchell Plastics is seeking a Program Manager for its Corporate Engineering team based in Sterling Heights, MI. This role leads all phases of awarded program development—from concept through tooling and pre-production sign-off—driving schedules, budgets, and cross‑functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering with 5+ years of automotive interior component experience, and is proficient with MS Office, MS Project, CAD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in engineering of interior automotive components for automotive suppliers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and CAD software.
• Understanding of IATF 16949 quality and environmental management systems.
• Familiarity with OEM customer-specific requirements.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as required.

Responsibilities

• Own all phases of awarded program development including program management, project engineering, prototype assembly, design, tooling, quoting, feasibility, change notice process, and pre-production sign-off.
• Maintain ultimate timing responsibility through all development phases, tracking program schedules and tool progress reports.
• Lead regular APQP meetings; initiate program-specific meetings and ensure all discussions and approvals are properly recorded.
• Maintain program financial status by updating program quotations and balance sheets; ensure all documentation including POs, requisitions, and meeting minutes are current.
• Create and maintain all program information on the intranet; track incoming and outgoing data and maintain thorough program records.
• Lead conceptual and detailed product design including benchmarking, subcontracting, data transfer, design review, and design validation; communicate design progress to the customer.
• Conduct weekly design reviews with the design team; schedule milestone design reviews with cross-functional stakeholders from manufacturing, quality, and management.
• Manage the validation and test process; ensure all customer DVP&R requirements are met and concerns are addressed via 8D methodology with findings documented on DFMEA, PFMEA, and control plans.
• Manage the paint development process and coordinate pre-production and run-at-rate trials with support from program engineers and the manufacturing paint engineer.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Customer communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

CAD software

Job description

Put yourself in the driver's seat; imagine where a career here could take you.

Mitchell Plastics is an award-winning, growing company and a global leader in automotive interior solutions. Our strength comes from providing our worldwide automotive customers with a single-source solution for their interior plastic component needs - from concept through production.

With more than 2,800 innovative team members across 7 manufacturing locations throughout North America, we are committed to delivering world-class quality, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and innovative solutions that keep us at the forefront of the automotive industry.

At Mitchell Plastics, our people are the foundation of our success. We offer an exciting opportunity to join a growing "Best in Class" team where employees are supported through ongoing development, training, and opportunities for career advancement. We are always looking for driven, talented individuals who want to make an impact and grow with us.

Come join our Team, and learn first-hand how you can contribute to our "Innovation Inside"!

The Opportunity:

We are currently seeking a Program Manager to join our Corporate Engineering team. The successful candidate will be based out of our Sterling Heights location in Michigan.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own all phases of awarded program development including program management, project engineering, prototype assembly, design, tooling, quoting, feasibility, change notice process, and pre-production sign-off
• Maintain ultimate timing responsibility through all development phases, tracking program schedules and tool progress reports
• Track and update all program-specific open issues and maintain visual program display boards, updated weekly
• Lead regular APQP meetings; initiate program-specific meetings and ensure all discussions and approvals are properly recorded
• Maintain program financial status by updating program quotations and balance sheets; ensure all documentation including POs, requisitions, and meeting minutes are current
• Create and maintain all program information on the intranet; track incoming and outgoing data and maintain thorough program records

Design and development

• Lead conceptual and detailed product design including benchmarking, subcontracting, data transfer, design review, and design validation; communicate design progress to the customer
• Conduct weekly design reviews with the design team; schedule milestone design reviews with cross-functional stakeholders from manufacturing, quality, and management
• Manage the validation and test process; ensure all customer DVP&R requirements are met and concerns are addressed via 8D methodology with findings documented on DFMEA, PFMEA, and control plans
• Manage the paint development process and coordinate pre-production and run-at-rate trials with support from program engineers and the manufacturing paint engineer

Tooling and launch

• Manage all tooling aspects of awarded programs; source capable molds, gauges, and fixtures; approve tools before shipping to plants and manage engineering changes to tools in production
• Ensure all pre-production documentation, testing, drawings, process analysis, dimensional control, and capacity analysis are completed prior to launch; lead process sign-off and customer approval activities
• Initiate feasibility studies for new programs; review and log all quotes per established procedure with sign-off from the Director of Engineering or General Manager

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in engineering interior decorative and functional automotive components for automotive suppliers
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and CAD software
• Understanding of IATF 16949 quality and environmental management systems
• Familiarity with OEM customer-specific requirements
• Experience working directly with automotive OEMs
• Willingness and ability to travel within the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as required

Job Details:

Employment Type: Full-time
Hours of Work: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
Job Vacancy: This posting is to fill an upcoming open position

We thank all candidates for their interest, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.