Senior Development Program Associate — Toys

Mattel; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Mattel is seeking a Sr Development Program Management Associate to join the Hot Wheels product development team on campus in El Segundo, CA. You will manage projects from ideation through production in collaboration with Design, Development, Marketing, Manufacturing and other cross‑functional partners.

The role requires strong PM skills, clear communication, and the ability to lead diverse teams. You will coordinate with overseas suppliers, review sketches, analyze costs, and help ensure on‑time

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Mechanical, Industrial Engineering or related discipline or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of relevant project management experience.
• Understanding of electromechanical systems is a plus.
• Proven ability to juggle multiple projects, make quick decisions, and possess excellent problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Successful in a fast-paced environment.
• Possess excellent communication skills.
• Comfortable leading cross-functional teams.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Must be comfortable with systems and data entry.
• Relationship building and customer-facing skills.
• Demonstrated growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning.

Responsibilities

• Managing multiple projects of varying product types and complexities while maintaining cost and schedule targets.
• Working closely with overseas development, tooling, and manufacturing to ensure successful project completion.
• Troubleshooting pre-production models and pilot production samples and making suggestions to improve performance, fix defects and improve mechanisms to guarantee end-consumer satisfaction.
• Acting as liaison between US and overseas teams throughout the product life cycle.
• Reviewing concept sketches and providing support for products in the preliminary design phase.
• Working in a team environment with Design, Packaging, Quality, Marketing, Planning, Engineering, Sculpting, manufacturing plants, and offshore development sources.
• Analyzing product design for maximum utilization of materials, methods and processes in order to meet marketing strategies, cost objectives and quality specifications while working within the constraints of selling price and business margins.
• Examining product components to develop cost estimates and value by utilizing knowledge of product design and budgetary considerations.
• Managing and maintaining product data integrity within Mattel systems.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional teams

Communication skills

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Self-starter

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Mattel is seeking a Sr Development Program Management Associate to join the Hot Wheels product development team on campus in El Segundo, CA. You will manage projects from ideation through production in collaboration with Design, Development, Marketing, Manufacturing and other cross‑functional partners.

The role requires strong PM skills, clear communication, and the ability to lead diverse teams. You will coordinate with overseas suppliers, review sketches, analyze costs, and help ensure on‑time