Senior Project Manager

East Penn Manufacturing - Deka Batteries; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Navitas Systems LLC, an East Penn company, seeks a Senior Project Manager to lead multiple complex lithium battery system projects and guide the Product Development process. The role drives project planning, execution, and financial performance across the lifecycle from production readiness to End of Life, aligning with strategy and technology roadmap while fostering cross-functional collaboration.

Ideal candidates will have strong leadership, risk management, and communication skills, with 5+

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of work experience in project management or project leadership.
• Experience with APQP processes and cross-functional leadership is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage several concurrent projects through Navitas Product Development APQP process.
• Plan, develop, and execute project schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Provide executive updates and risk mitigation strategies across the project portfolio.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

8D problem solving

Six Sigma

MS Project

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

Job description

Get to know East Penn!

Navitas Systems LLC, a leader in comprehensive energy storage solutions, was formed in 2011 with the merger of MicroSun Innovative Energy Storage Solutions and MicroSun Electronics, and the acquisition of lithium battery company A123 Systems’ Government Solutions Group. In 2019, East Penn Manufacturing, one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers, acquired majority interest in Navitas Systems. In SEVEN remarkable decades, East Penn has grown from a one-room shop with a product line of five automotive batteries to one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers with over 10,500 full-time employees, 515 product designs, operations around the world, and hundreds of awards for industry excellence.

At our Navitas facilities we engage in the research, design, development, and manufacture of advanced lithium cells and energy storage products and systems for both commercial and Industrial customers. We invest in our people, they are and always will be the heart of this company. Are you ready to join a family-owned enterprise committed to honoring the contributions of everyone? Then Navitas is the right place for you.

Overview

The Senior Project Manager at Navitas Systems, an East Penn company plays a critical role in advancing next-generation lithium battery system applications to align with East Penn’s strategic portfolio. This position is responsible for leading multiple complex projects while strategically guiding the broader Product Development process.

The role ensures that all projects meet scope, cost, quality, and timing objectives while aligning efforts with the company’s long-term operations strategy and technology roadmap. Responsibilities span the product lifecycle—from production readiness hand-off through product End-of Life. The Project Manager drives project planning, execution, financial performance, and reporting, while also fostering collaboration, innovation, and cross-functional alignment.

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for driving Project Management leadership and supporting the PMO to continuously develop best practices, provide guidance to junior PMs, and may have direct reports to manage. Senior Project Managers are part of the staff management team and will be expected to train, retain, and develop their direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Manage several concurrent projects through Navitas Product Development APQP process,
• Plan, develop, and execute project schedules, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with project goals.
• Support regular phase-gate reviews with leadership, ensuring clear go/no-go decisions.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate risks while ensuring scope, timing, and cost objectives are met.
• Lead milestone reviews, drive open issues to closure, and ensure disciplined execution using project management methods.
• Deliver executive-level updates, including project summaries, and presentations
• Track and report project revenue, costs, and variances against budget
• Act as liaison between sustaining teams and leadership functions such as resource planning, end of life strategy development, and product strategy.
• Provides advisory support and assistance to the department managers as needed.
• Be actively involved in optimizing and improving project management and other business work process and methodologies
• Performs in a manner that will prevent errors and omissions.
• Provides advisory support and assistance to the portfolio manager as needed.
• Responsible for meeting project management targets and key performance indicators
• Participate in activities needed to support the management functions of the team.
• Follow all safety guidelines and operate in a safe manner
• Physical presence on the job is essential and necessary
• If a direct report is assigned: manage according to East Penn and Navitas standards.
• Other duties as assigned by management

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• 5+ years of work experience in project management or project leadership

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership, organizational, and motivational skills
• Excellent communication skills, verbal, written, and visual
• Detail-oriented with the ability to effectively persuade through data and analysis
• Team-based problem-solving experience using structured methods such as 8D and Six Sigma
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Microsoft Project
• Knowledge of lithium-ion batteries, electronics, or electrical components preferred

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

East Penn Benefits

Navitas/East Penn offers excellent benefits:

• Competitive compensation
• Group health insurance that includes high quality medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage with a low employee premium
• Retirement Savings Plan with company match and a 3% employer contribution
• Paid company holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employee assistance program
• Fitness Discounts
• Promotional opportunities

At Navitas/East Penn, our employees are our culture; our employees will always be the heart of the company. We are a private, family-owned enterprise committed to cultivating an atmosphere that honors the contributions of everyone. We want our employees to have long-term careers, and many do. More than 38% of our workforce has over a decade of service. Our open-door management policy, comprehensive benefits package, employee appreciation and recognition events, and career advancement opportunities are just some of the ways we show our employees how incredibly valued they are.

EOE/VEVRAA