Project Chief - Exterior Trim

Stellantis NV; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off (17+ holidays)

Retirement savings plans

Disability & life insurance

Company vehicle lease

Family building benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Volunteer hours

Job summary

The Project Chief - Body Exterior Trim at Stellantis NV in Auburn, AL leads design, development and production readiness for exterior trim components such as fascia, grilles and cladding. You will guide cross-functional teams, manage suppliers, control costs and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

You will mentor engineers, optimize processes, report status to senior management and drive continuous improvement across the program lifecycle, from concept through production,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years of experience in automotive engineering.
• Experience with Exterior Trim systems and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to manage cross-functional teams and communicate with executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution and delivery of body Exterior Trim projects from concept to production.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain and other departments.
• Oversight of design and development to meet OEM specs and safety standards.
• Manage supplier relationships and monitor performance for cost efficiency.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation for timelines and budgets.
• Continuously improve development and production processes.
• Mentor engineers and drive change through the development phase.
• Engage with customers to ensure designs meet expectations and benchmarks.
• Maintain detailed project documentation and report status to senior management.

Skills

Project leadership

Cost/schedule control

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Master of Science in Engineering

PMP certification

Tools

CAD CATIA

Siemens NX

PLM systems

MS Office

Job description

The Project Chief - Body Exterior Trim will oversee and lead the design, development, and implementation of body Exterior Trim components, including Fascia’s, Grille’s, Bumpers, Functional Plastics, Front End Modules (FEM), Wheel Flares, Door / Sill Cladding, Badging, Aero Shields etc., for OEM automotive products. This role will be responsible for managing cross-functional teams to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality products that meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and cost objectives. The Project Chief will drive continuous improvements in product design, process efficiency, and cost control while maintaining strong communication with both internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Leadership: Lead the overall planning, execution, and delivery of body Exterior Trim projects from concept through production, ensuring adherence to timeline, budget, and quality standards.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and other internal departments to ensure seamless project execution and successful product launches.
• Design and Development Oversight: Oversee the design and development of body Exterior Trim components, ensuring they meet OEM specifications, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Supplier Management: Manage relationships with external suppliers, ensuring the timely delivery of materials and components. Collaborate on the selection of suppliers, and monitor their performance to ensure quality and cost efficiency.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks to project timelines, budgets, and quality, and take proactive measures to mitigate these risks. Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Process Optimization: Continuously evaluate and improve development and production processes to optimize efficiency, cost, and quality.
• Change Management: Lead and mentor a team of engineers to optimize, process and implement change through the development phase.
• Customer Focus: Engage engineers to ensure designs meet or exceed customer expectations through validation, benchmarking and clinics.
• Reporting and Documentation: Maintain detailed project documentation and regularly report project status, including timelines and technical challenges, to senior management.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or a related degree field
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in automotive engineering
• In-depth knowledge of Exterior Trim systems (Fascias, Bumpers, Grilles, Functional Plastics, Aero, Cladding, etc.), materials, manufacturing processes, and assembly techniques
• Ability to analyze complex technical issues and drive solutions, while maintaining a focus on cost, quality, and schedule
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with senior management, engineering teams, suppliers, and customers
• Proficient in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, Siemens NX), PLM systems, and MS Office Suite

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Science Degree in Engineering
• Experience with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and other simulation tools
• Strong project management skills with experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex projects.
• PMP or similar certification

Our Benefits — Designed with You in Mind

Comprehensive Health & Well-being Coverage
From your very first day, you'll have access to medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage — ensuring you and your family stay healthy and protected.

Generous Paid Time Off
We believe in work-life balance. That's why we offer: 17+ paid holidays, including shut-down from December 24th through New Years Day every year. Vacation, float & wellbeing days, sick time and fully paid parental leave when your family needs you most.

Competitive Retirement Savings Plans
We help you plan for the future with:

• An employer match on contributions to your 401k, Roth, and Catch-Up plans
• An employer contribution, even if you don't contribute

Income Protection & Insurance Options
Benefit from included and optional disability, life, and other insurance programs — because your peace of mind matters.

Company Vehicle Lease Program
Eligible employees and their immediate families can enjoy company vehicle lease options with included insurance, maintenance, and unlimited mileage. Plus, take advantage of exclusive discounts on Stellantis products.

Family Building Benefit
We proudly support all paths to parenthood- including fertility and infertility treatments, adoption services, and gestational surrogacy.

Support for Your Growth and Giving Back
We believe in investing in your future and your passions:

• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan refinancing programs
• 18 paid volunteer hours each year to make a difference in your community

And so much more!
When you join us, you're not just building a career — you're joining a company that supports you, inside and outside of work.