Prototype Build Engineer/Product Manager

Optimal; Allen Park (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal is seeking a New Model Program Engineer to lead program management for vehicle and powertrain programs in North America. The role oversees governance, pre-production activities, fleet evaluation, design changes, issue resolution, and budget execution across launch phases.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree with 4+ years of office software experience and 1+ years in powertrain/vehicle operations or related program management. Willingness to travel is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 4+ years of experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Project.
• 2+ years of experience with problem solving disciplines using statistical mindsets.
• 1+ years of experience in Powertrain/Vehicle Operations manufacturing, design, and/or program management, with Project management or launch experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage cross-functional New Model Programs and launch processes.
• Lead issue resolution and governance across phases.
• Co-chair launch meetings and coordinate part support issues.
• Oversee budget execution and status reporting for launches.
• Support team integration into manufacturing plants.

Skills

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Statistical problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Job Summary

The New Model Program Engineer plays a critical role in the successful launch of new vehicle and powertrain models within North America manufacturing plants. This position is responsible for the overall program management and delivery of new vehicle programs, ensuring successful execution across various phases including issue resolution, quality and status assessments, vehicle fleet management, and adherence to established budgets and timing.

Job Responsibilities

• This individual contributor role is essential for driving launch excellence for new vehicle and powertrain models across Ford's North America Manufacturing Plants.
• The Engineer will contribute to success by actively managing and executing critical launch processes, collaborating with diverse skill teams, and ensuring timely communication on launch status and risks.
• Program Governance: Serve as a key gatekeeper for New Model Programs, ensuring adherence to established processes and standards throughout the launch lifecycle.
• Pre-Production Build Management: Manage and oversee all activities related to pre-production build events, ensuring they meet program objectives for quality and efficiency. Vehicle Fleet Management: Manage the ordering, building, testing, and ultimate disposition of pre-production vehicles. This includes the execution of the Pre-Production Drive Fleet Evaluation Plan.
• Design Change Oversight: Manage the approval process for Product Development changes, ensuring these are integrated and proven out ahead of prototype builds.
• Issue Resolution Leadership: Lead the build issues management process for the cross-functional program team, driving issues to resolution and ensuring timely closure of problems that could impact launch.
• Meeting Coordination & Issue Driving: Co-chair relevant launch meetings and proactively drive resolution of part support issues for each pre-production build event.
• Budget Execution: Manage launch budget approval processes and execute elements specifically controlled by New Model Programs within the overall launch budget.
• Reporting & Assessment: Prepare and present comprehensive New Model Program weekly assessment reports, providing clear status updates and highlighting potential risks.
• Senior Management Communication: Champion senior management presentations, effectively communicating program status, challenges, and proposed solutions.
• Team Integration Support: Facilitate the smooth transition and integration of launch teams into the manufacturing plants.

Ability to travel is a must.

Skills Required

Program Management - expectation is to maintain a list of issues and work with a cross functional team to resolve them.

Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree is a minimum.
• 4+ years of experience in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project.
• 2+ years of experience with problem solving disciplines using statistical mindsets
• 1+ years of experience in Powertrain/Vehicle Operations manufacturing, design, and/or program management, with Project management or launch experience.

Experience Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• Program management experience.
• Manufacturing experience.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and highly organized.
• Experience demonstrating a strong understanding of the processes and methodologies involved in bringing new vehicle models from development into full-scale production.
• Experience with Engineering Change Management and Issue Management

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Fully Onsite