Project Chief - Exterior Trim

Stellantis; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

Paid time off 17+ holidays

401(k) with employer match

Company vehicle lease program

Fertility and family-building programs

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Stellantis NV in Auburn Hills, MI, seeks a Project Chief - Body Exterior Trim to oversee design, development, and production of exterior trim components for OEM programs. Lead cross-functional teams, manage suppliers, drive cost and schedule targets, and ensure regulatory compliance.

You will mentor engineers, drive process improvements, and ensure customer satisfaction through validation and benchmarking. Requires a Bachelor’s in engineering, 8+ years in automotive, and CAD/PLM proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years of automotive engineering experience.
• In-depth knowledge of Exterior Trim systems (fascias, grilles, bumpers, cladding, etc.).
• CAD/PLM and MS Office proficiency.
• Strong communication with management, suppliers and customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall planning, execution, and delivery of exterior trim projects from concept to production.
• Coordinate cross-functional activity with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain and others.
• Oversee design and development to meet OEM specs, safety and regulatory requirements.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance for timely delivery and cost efficiency.
• Identify risks and drive mitigation; ensure compliance with safety and environmental rules.
• Continuously improve development and production processes for cost and quality.
• Guide and mentor engineers through the development phase and change management.
• Engage stakeholders to ensure designs meet customer expectations via validation.
• Maintain detailed project documentation and escalate status to senior management.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional coordination

CAD software

PLM systems

Cost management

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

Siemens NX

PLM

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.