Project Chief - Exterior Trim

Stellantis; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellantis seeks a Project Chief - Body Exterior Trim to lead the design, development, and implementation of exterior trim components for OEM automotive products. You will manage cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality parts on time, meeting customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and cost targets.

The role requires strong leadership, supplier management, risk mitigation, and process improvement while maintaining clear communication with internal and external stakeholders from

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years in automotive engineering.
• Proficient in CAD (CATIA, Siemens NX), PLM, MS Office.
• Strong communication with senior management, engineering teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall planning, execution, and delivery of exterior trim projects from concept through production.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain and other departments for seamless execution.
• Oversee design and development to meet OEM specs, safety standards, and regulations.
• Manage relationships with external suppliers and monitor performance for cost efficiency.
• Identify risks to timelines, budgets, and quality and implement mitigations.
• Continuously evaluate and improve development and production processes.
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers through development phases.
• Ensure designs meet customer expectations via validation and benchmarking.
• Maintain detailed project documentation and report status to senior management.

Skills

CAD software proficiency

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

PMP certification (preferred)

Tools

CATIA

Siemens NX

PLM systems

MS Office Suite

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

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.

At Stellantis, we assess candidates based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome applications from all people without regard to sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any characteristic protected by law. We believe that diverse teams reflect our identity as a global company, enabling us to better address the evolving needs of our customers and care for our future.