Senior Manager, Product Engineering

IAC Group; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

IAC Group in Troy, MI seeks an Engineering Leader to direct product development for interior trim components, manage a team of engineers, and ensure programs meet schedule and budget. You will drive APQP activities, PPAP readiness, and cross-functional collaboration with Manufacturing, Quality, and Suppliers, while advocating design for manufacturability.

This role requires 7–10 years of automotive experience, a four-year ME degree, strong leadership and negotiation skills, and willingness to

Qualifications

• Four-year mechanical engineering degree required.
• 7–10 years of machine/fixture design and launch experience in automotive interiors.
• Experience with PPAP, DFMEA, and engineering changes.
• Strong negotiation, project management, and cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of product engineers and professionals; set priorities and resource plans.
• Direct product engineering across lifecycle including feasibility, design reviews, validation, launch, and production support.
• Ensure designs meet customer specs, regulatory, cost, and manufacturability.
• Support APQP activities and PPAP readiness; manage engineering changes and lessons learned.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and suppliers to meet objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Project management

Negotiation

Communication

MS Office

Travel readiness

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

General Description

• Provide advance product and manufacturing design support to IAC manufacturing facilities, IAC product design team, and OEM to assure manufacturing feasibility and robust processes are driven into product design from a secondary tool perspective
• Assist IAC plants in the development of RFQ, quote reviews/vetting, sourcing decision, and technical discussions with IAC management & OEM’s.
• Assist in optimizing manufacturing efficiency and quality standards through the implementation of improved processes, materials, methods, and facilities.
• Support manufacturing facility
• Manage activities / others related to the tool design, construction, budget and timing of secondary machine / fixture builds for new program launches.
• Provide tooling leadership to project teams to support customer needs
• Manage secondary machine / fixture build activities with suppliers to meet IAC program timing, cost and quality objectives.

Engineering Leadership

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of product engineers and technical professionals.
• Establish engineering priorities and resource plans aligned with business objectives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Drive technical problem-solving utilizing structured methodologies.

Product Development

• Direct product engineering activities throughout the product lifecycle, including concept development, feasibility assessments, design reviews, validation, launch, and production support.
• Ensure designs meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and cost objectives.
• Oversee design validation plans, testing activities, and engineering sign-offs.
• Lead engineering change management processes and product optimization efforts.
• Support advanced engineering and innovation initiatives to enhance product performance and competitiveness.

Program and Launch Management

• Partner with Program Management to ensure engineering deliverables are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Identify technical risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Support APQP activities, including DFMEA, DVP&R, design reviews, and launch readiness assessments.
• Provide engineering leadership during new product launches and major engineering changes.
• Ensure lessons learned are captured and incorporated into future programs.

Customer Interface

• Serve as the primary engineering contact for assigned customers.
• Participate in customer design reviews, technical discussions, and program status meetings.
• Address customer concerns, warranty issues, and product quality concerns through root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Support business development activities by providing technical expertise during customer quotations and product development discussions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Operations, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Tooling, and Commercial teams to achieve business objectives.
• Support cost reduction, value engineering, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with suppliers on component development and technical requirements.
• Ensure effective communication and alignment across global and regional stakeholders.

Quality and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with customer‑specific requirements, industry standards, and internal engineering procedures.
• Support IATF 16949, ISO, safety, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Participate in customer audits and technical reviews.
• Promote product reliability, durability, and manufacturability throughout development and production.

Financial and Strategic Responsibilities

• Support engineering budget development and resource planning.
• Drive productivity improvements and engineering efficiency initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and market trends to support future product strategies.
• Contribute to strategic planning and organizational improvement initiatives.

Position Specific Requirements (PSR)

• Champion the preproduction machine run‑offs and approval processes to assure prompt PPAP based quoted cycle times and OEE’s
• Participate in cost negations pertaining to tool and engineering change costs
• Support pre‑production machine start up at IAC Manufacturing plants during the PPAP process
• Provide technical support to IAC Manufacturing plants on troubleshooting existing manufacturing processes and/or product lines to achieve customer quality standards and profit objectives.
• Assist in optimizing manufacturing efficiency and quality standards through the implementation of improved processes, materials, methods, and facilities.
• Ensure projects are executed with the proper safety devices per OSHA, NFPA, ANSI and IAC Standards

Physical Requirements

• Must have flexibility to work at and travel to IAC plant locations and supplier locations.
• 20%-30% of your time will be spent traveling supporting position requirements.
  

Education

• (4) yr ME Bachelor's Degree (Preferred)

Experience

• 7–10 years’ experience in machine / fixture design, construction/build, & follow-up for interior trim automotive components (Floor Consoles, Instrument Panels. Hard Trim, or Doors).
• Automotive experience with past programs / interior trim launches
• Ability to resolve issues quickly and to recognize and resolve threats to program objections

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Must have good negotiating skills. Position involves reviewing and establishing tool costs with suppliers and OEM cost analyst
• Must be able to work independent of direct supervision, especially when away from the office
• Must be able to work as a member of the launch team, be proficient at working with all levels of the organization, while maintaining a sense of individual accountability and responsibility Automotive experience with past programs / interior trim launches
• Excellent time management and project management skills.
• Must have good written and oral skill sets, be proficient with Microsoft Office and other computer skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously while managing a team