Project Manager II

Nidec; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Nidec in Fort Smith, AR is seeking a Project Manager II for the New Product Development (NPD) team. You will lead cross-functional teams through concept to launch, ensuring governance, disciplined execution, and alignment with customer requirements, quality standards, and business objectives.

You will drive planning, execution, and release readiness across hardware, software, and validation streams. The role requires managing multiple projects across the full development lifecycle, plus strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related technical discipline.
• Advanced Project Management knowledge (PMBOK, Waterfall) including scheduling, planning, risk mitigation, financial analysis.
• PMP Certification preferred.
• 5+ years of demonstrable Project Management experience.
• Experience leading large New Product Development projects and cross-functional teams.
• Agile/Scrum experience a plus.
• Excellent communication with executive-level teams.
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt preferred.
• Proficient in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate cross-functional project meetings to drive actions and resolve issues.
• Own end-to-end project planning and control (scope, schedule, budget).
• Coordinate internal/external engineering and validation resources and ensure staffing alignment.
• Prepare governance packages and ensure project readiness at gates.
• Identify and manage project risks, mitigation, and escalation.
• Define deliverables and manage interdependencies across functions and partners.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder communication

Agile/Scrum knowledge

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related technical discipline

PMP Certification (preferable)

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Jira

Job description

We begin with dreams. Dreams drive our motivation. Dreams are our future. The world's dreams, people's dreams, our dreams. Our passion creates ideas that make dreams come alive. Technology and products that were only dreams become reality. All for dreams. Dreams challenge and the Nidec-Group will continue to meet the challenge. For the world's and people's tomorrows; the world's first, the world's best technologies and products; we will continue our part in creating a better society.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Project Manager II for our Project Management Team. The Project Manager II for New Product Development (NPD) leads cross-functional teams to deliver motor driver development projects from concept through launch. This role ensures robust project governance and disciplined execution aligned to customer requirements, quality standards, and strategic business objectives - enabling on-time releases meeting performance, cost, and schedule targets. The PM II manages multiple projects across the full development lifecycle, driving stakeholder alignment, requirements definition, integrated planning, engineering execution (hardware/software), test validation, supplier coordination, and release readiness.

Job Description

Responsibilities: Lead and facilitate cross-functional (and at times cross-organizational) project meetings to drive actions, remove blockers, resolve issues, and enable timely technical and business decision-making. Own end-to-end project planning and control (scope, schedule, budget), including integrated plans, milestones, dependencies, reporting, and change control; coordinate internal/external engineering and validation resources, and partner with resource managers and other PMs to ensure staffing, alignment, and program integration. Prepare governance decision packages and actively challenge project readiness (scope, schedule, risks, deliverables, technical maturity) to enable decisions at key gates and mandatory deliverables. Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence without authority while working effectively with diverse, global cross-functional teams. Prepare and co-facilitate workshops and project working sessions to improve execution, quality, and team effectiveness. Identify and engage key stakeholders to build well-rounded project teams (e.g., Electronics hardware/software, Test validation, Manufacturing processes, Development, Quality, Procurement, Regulatory/Compliance, Finance, and R&D). Identify and manage project risks, conflicts, and execution barriers (technical, supplier, schedule, cost). Facilitate timely mitigation, escalation, and resolution. Utilize project management tools to ensure scope focus, accountability, clear deliverables, milestone discipline, and effectiveness checks (e.g., actions tracking, critical path). Manage projects with appropriate supervision and guidance, escalating proactively when scope, timing, or technical maturity puts commitments at risk. Define project deliverables and manage interdependencies across functions, workstreams, and external partners, ensuring alignment on requirements, architecture, design reviews, and release artifacts. Routinely challenge the status quo to drive simplification, standardization, and efficiency across the electronics development and validation workflow. Support integration of financial planning (capital/expense as applicable) and resource allocation into project plans, tracking burn vs. plan and forecasting to end-of-project. Ensure project decisions and actions are communicated clearly and that artifacts are documented and archived; serve as the primary point of contact for project status, risks, and deliverables.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related technical discipline
• Advanced Project Management (PMBOK, Waterfall) knowledge includes concepts of scheduling, planning, risk mitigation, financial analysis, etc.
• PMP Certification (preferable)
• 5+ years of demonstrable Project Management experience.
• Experience handling large New Product Development projects scope while driving internal and external team members.
• Agile/Scrum methodology is a plus.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive level teas.
• Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma, Black Belt certification (preferable).
• Proficient in English language.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and team collaboration skills across multiple functions.
• Problem solving and high result driven mindset.
• High skills of planning and execution (make things happen).
• High sense of urgency and strong ownership.
• Organizational influence, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of NPD process including stage-gate, agile and hybrid project management.
• Proficiency with PM Tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, or equivalent).
• Manage competing priorities in fast-paced environments.
• Risk identification, mitigation & management.
• Communication, prioritizing resources effectively, and enhancing customer satisfaction through the successful execution of critical initiatives.

Business Impact

Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget, directly supporting the company’s strategic objectives. Enable operational efficiency, cost optimization, and cross-functional alignment—reducing risk and maximizing return on investment.

Key Relations

Drive stakeholder management by leading cross-functional teams and aligning project goals to ensure successful delivery.

Travel Availability

Travel Availability to travel up to 15% by year.

Additional Job Details

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affiliation at Nidec Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affiliation encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf

Nidec has worked its way up to become the world's No.1 manufacturer of small precision motors. In the process, Nidec has gradually expanded its product lineup to include a variety of small to large motors, application products for machinery, and electronic and optical components. At present, its products are used in a wide range of fields and devices including information and telecommunications equipment, office equipment, home appliances, automobiles, industrial equipment, and environmental energy. "For Everything that Spins and Moves", the Group is creating next-generation drive technologies to meet the needs of the society.