RD Project Manager

Oetiker Tool Corporation; Wallingford (CT); On-site; USD 86,400 - 105,600; Full time

Job summary

Oetiker Tool Corporation is seeking a senior Project Manager to lead end-to-end R&D for mechanical and electro‑mechanical hand tools in mission critical applications. You will drive global development projects from concept to launch, ensuring milestones for time-to-market, quality and cost are met.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in automotive or OEM environments, a degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, and strong leadership with English communication skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years as project manager in automotive/global OEM environment.
• BSc/MSc in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Experience in 3D-CAD software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Experience in electro‑mechanical product development and quality systems (IATF 16949, ISO 9001).
• Excellent English communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects from idea to series production, meeting QCT deliverables.
• Plan, track and report progress; lead cross-functional team.
• Coordinate with Application Management; document meetings and decisions.
• Perform feasibility studies and risk analyses for concepts.
• Oversee manufacturing of prototypes and tests up to series release.
• Support risk management incl. FMEA and Design-for-Six-Sigma activities.
• Collaborate with strategic customers and partners.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Quality focus

Analytical skills

Education

Mechanical/Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

SolidWorks

3D-CAD

Job description

Job Description

This role manages R&D development projects of mechanical and electro-mechanical hand tool in the field of mission critical connecting applications. The role holder is responsible for driving global product development projects based on innovative technologies and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. This is an end-to-end responsibility from conceptualization to product launch with the task to fulfill ambitious time-to-market, quality and cost deliverables. The role demands a high degree of competence and confidence in global stakeholder management with the ultimate goal to deliver maximum business success.

Essential Functions

• Project management from idea to series production, incl. contribution to product and process development activities, while meeting quality, cost and time (QCT) deliverables
• Responsible for deliverables of all relevant project work packages. Plans, tracks and reports project progress
• Leads cross-functional project team, drives proactive stakeholder management
• Liaises with Application Management for the overall project accountability
• Prepares, leads and documents team, project and technical meetings
• Analyses market and technical requirements and plans relevant activities
• Defines and tracks measurable criteria for product and process realization
• Initiates feasibility studies to evaluate possible concepts, including risk analysis regarding project fulfillment
• Directly supervises the manufacturing process of sample parts and consolidates results from basic and functional tests up to series release
• Oversees overall risk management, incl. design and process FMEA's
• Drives Design-for-Six-Sigma deliverables, incl. design robustness (e.g. FEA) and reliability (e.g. R&R) activities
• Develops and maintains contacts with strategic customers and partners (e.g. universities)
• Further tasks as instructed by global Head R&D

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Proven drive (energy, determination, motivation) and a can-do mentality
• Excellent project management skills with relevant experience in new product development and industrialization
• Strong leadership and communication skills paired with innovative thinking
• Precise working style with a high commitment to quality
• Proven analytical and engineering expertise (Design for Six Sigma, Finite Element Analysis)
• Excellent understanding of broader business environment and application of business relevant intelligence during project execution
• Good interpersonal skills with ability to communicate and negotiate effectively across all levels and all functions of the organization
• Team player valuing people, fair, high integrity, emotionally mature with a high degree of intellectual curiosity

Experience & Qualification

• 5+ years experience as Project Manager, or equivalent role, preferably in automotive or a global OEM environment
• Higher degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering (BSc, MSc) combined with relevant work experience
• Experienced in 3D-CAD software, preferably in SolidWorks
• Experienced in the development of electro-mechanical products
• Experienced in Quality Systems such as IATF 16949 and ISO 9001
• Outstanding oral and written communication and presentation skills in English

Additional Information

The incumbent will be part of the global R&D team, contributing to global projects and activities. Global travel is required (approx 5%).

Compensation

$96,000-$96,000 per year