Project Engineer II

Daimler Truck AG; United States; Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with company match

Vacation & Holidays

Parental leave

Healthcare plans

Wellness program

Tuition assistance

Onsite fitness

Job summary

Daimler Truck North America is seeking a Project Cost Excellence professional to drive material cost reductions and enable faster, higher quality engineering decisions. You will work across Engineering, Purchasing, Finance, Manufacturing, Quality, and Changeover to surface cost and complexity opportunities from idea generation through OLT approval and implementation.

The role emphasizes governance, detailed timelines, and executive communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 6 years of relevant experience required.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Engineering or technical teams.
• Strong communication skills, including executive-level presentations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at varying maturity levels.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support initiatives through the unified OLT process.
• Create and maintain detailed project timelines for cost optimization initiatives.
• Coordinate vehicle walkaround activities to surface early cost/complexity opportunities.
• Facilitate cross functional meetings, design reviews, feasibility discussions, and OLT preparation.
• Partner with Engineering, Purchasing, ME, Finance, and Quality to validate technical measures and ensure alignment.
• Support initiatives through engineering-driven levers, measure validation, and wave planning.
• Maintain clear ownership, governance, and status visibility for all initiatives.
• Track action items and manage OLT presentation readiness.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive-level presentations

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Multi-project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

SharePoint

MS Project

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Inside the Role

Product Cost Excellence (PCE) is a critical DTNA function focused on reducing material cost, and enabling faster, higher quality engineering decisions. Working cross functionally with Engineering, Purchasing, Finance, Manufacturing, Quality, Product Validation, and Changeover, this team drives cost and complexity results from idea generation through OLT approval and into implementation.

The Product Cost Excellence team operates under a unified process that integrates both technical and commercial levers, supporting DTNA’s Material Cost Program, and ensuring clear decision governance. This role provides visibility to senior leadership, ownership of cross functional initiatives, and the opportunity to directly influence DTNA’s cost competitiveness.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Position offers a startingsalary range of$86,000 to $110,000 USD

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, andexperience

Benefits include 401kcompany contribution with company match up to8% as well as non-elective company contribution of3 - 7% depending on age;starting at 4 weeks paidvacation; 13+ calendar holidays;8 weekspaidparental leave; employee assistance program;comprehensive healthcare plans and wellnessprograms; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuitionassistance and volunteer paid time off; short-termand long-term disability plans.

What You Drive At DTNA:

Project Management & Execution

• Manage and support initiatives through the unified OLT process.
• Create and maintain detailed project timelines for cost optimization initiatives.
• Coordinate vehicle walkaround activities to surface early cost/complexity opportunities.

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Facilitate cross functional meetings, design reviews, feasibility discussions, and OLT preparation.
• Partner with Engineering, Purchasing, ME, Finance, and Quality to validate technical measures and ensure alignment.
• Support initiatives through engineering-driven levers, measure validation, and wave planning.

Governance & Reporting

• Maintain clear ownership, governance, and status visibility for all initiatives.
• Track action items and manage OLT presentation readiness.

Knowledge You Should Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university/college required with 2 to 4 years of experience OR 6 years of relevant experience in lieu of degree, required.
• Experience working cross‑functionally with Engineering or technical teams.
• Strong communication skills, including executive-level presentations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at varying maturity levels.
• Proficiency with SharePoint, MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and problem‑solving skills.
• Reporting experience to executive level.
• An attached resume is required.

Exceptional Candidates Might Have:

• Experience with cost reduction, value engineering, or complexity optimization.
• Experience with KPI development.
• Exposure to product engineering, PAR, or engineering change management processes.
• Knowledge of material cost, manufacturing processes, or supply chain levers.
• Experience working with AI-enabled or analytics tools.

#LI-CF1

#LI-HYBRID

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-

Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting‑edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

• This position is not open for Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application
• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre‑employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.