Senior Project Manager - Automotive

SSOE Group; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Annual bonus

Employee ownership

Comprehensive benefits

Paid holidays

Job summary

SSOE Group is seeking a Senior Project Manager to join our Automotive & Industrial Facilities Design team. This role leads planning, design, and delivery of complex capital projects for automotive OEMs and suppliers, energy manufacturers, and more. Hybrid work is available; ownership opportunities exist as part of our employee-owned firm.

Strong leadership and client-facing capabilities are essential. Based in a flexible North American footprint, you will collaborate with architects, engineers,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in an Engineering discipline, Construction Management, or Architecture, or 8+ years of experience in lieu of a technical degree.
• At least 10 years of experience in the design industry, with 5 years as a Project Manager in an engineering or construction organization.
• Experience managing the design of major capital industrial projects in an engineering or architecture consulting firm is preferred.
• Advanced working knowledge of contract management, pre-design, pre-construction, renovations, demolition, new construction, building systems/components, technology, and construction administration.
• Experience with various disciplines, trades, and systems related to complex industrial facilities, with emphasis on full project delivery.
• Experience in the execution of multi-office projects with remote teams.
• Strong people leadership skills and ability to build and maintain client relationships.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; client-facing roles and business development experience.
• Ability to travel to project locations for short-term visits; valid driver’s license and passport for international travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams delivering automotive manufacturing, assembly, battery, testing, logistics, and industrial facility projects.
• Serve as the primary client interface for automotive OEMs and suppliers, EV manufacturers, battery producers, and Tier 1 suppliers.
• Manage facility expansion, modernization, brownfield renovation, and greenfield development projects through all delivery phases.
• Collaborate with clients to understand production goals, manufacturing requirements, operational constraints, and future capacity needs.
• Coordinate facility design efforts involving production support systems, utilities, and automation infrastructure.
• Support strategic planning for capital investment programs in vehicle production and advanced manufacturing.
• Lead project teams through scope definition, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and stakeholder alignment.
• Support business development activities and pursue opportunities in automotive, mobility, EV, battery, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Skills

Project leadership

Communication

Client interface

Travel readiness

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree

Construction Management

Architecture

Alternative experience (8+ years)

Job description

SSOE is seeking a Senior Project Manager to join our Automotive & Industrial Facilities Design team. This role is ideally based in Troy (MI), Toledo/Columbus (OH), Brentwood (TN), Birmingham/Huntsville (AL), though qualified candidates outside of these locations may be considered. In this role, you will lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex capital projects for automotive OEMs and suppliers, energy industry manufacturers, and more. You will partner with an integrated team of architects, engineers, and technical specialists to deliver high-performance manufacturing, assembly, battery, logistics, and industrial support facilities from early planning through commissioning and startup. As manufacturers continue to invest in electrification, automation, advanced manufacturing, and facility modernization, this position offers the opportunity to lead impactful projects that shape the future of mobility and industrial production across North America.

Why Join SSOE and Elevate Your Career?

At SSOE, you'll work with amazing colleagues and be part of something big! We've consistently been named a “Great Place to Work” and are experiencing the most successful years in our history. Along with industry-leading salary compensation, you'll be eligible to purchase shares in the company.

What We Offer

• A hybrid work schedule option for this role, providing you with the flexibility to achieve work-life balance while excelling in your career. May be eligible for a fully remote work schedule per company policy.
• Competitive Salary: $130k - $150k / year depending on location, education, experience, and certifications.
• Bonus and Incentives: Eligibility for our annual target bonus/incentive program based on company and individual performance and goals.
• Ownership Opportunities: As an employee-owned firm, we offer ownership opportunities to all employees at the associate level and above. This senior associate-level role will allow you to become a shareholder of SSOE.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401K retirement savings plan (with company matching), professional development and training, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

Additional Perks

• Continuous Learning: Embrace a culture of perpetual learning where curiosity is celebrated, innovative ideas are welcomed, and your career growth aspirations are fully supported.
• Career Stability: A diversity of market sectors, project types, and geographic locations that help insulate your career from economic ups and downs.
• Career Advancement: Embark on a structured career journey with abundant opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Holistic Compensation: A holistic approach to compensation and benefits that supports your physical and mental health, encourages work-life balance, and empowers your career advancement and financial success.

AI and Innovation

At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams delivering automotive manufacturing, assembly, battery, testing, logistics, and industrial facility projects.
• Serve as the primary client interface for automotive OEMs and suppliers, EV manufacturers, battery producers, and Tier 1 suppliers.
• Manage facility expansion, modernization, brownfield renovation, and greenfield development projects throughout all phases of delivery.
• Collaborate with clients to understand production goals, manufacturing requirements, operational constraints, and future capacity needs.
• Coordinate facility design efforts involving production support systems, utilities, automation infrastructure, material handling systems, warehouses, laboratories, and administrative spaces.
• Support strategic planning efforts for capital investment programs associated with vehicle production, electrification initiatives, battery manufacturing, and advanced industrial processes.
• Lead project teams through scope definition, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, stakeholder alignment, and execution.
• Support business development activities and pursue opportunities within the automotive, mobility, EV, battery, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Qualifications You’ll Need on Day One:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in an Engineering discipline, Construction Management, or Architecture, or 8 (eight) or more years of experience in the engineering or construction field in lieu of a technical degree. PMP Registration preferred.
• At least 10 (ten) years of experience in the design industry, with 5 (five) years as a Project Manager in an engineering or construction organization.
• Managing the design of major capital industrial projects within an engineering or architecture consulting firm is preferred.
• Advanced working knowledge of contract management, pre-design, pre-construction, renovations, demolition, new construction, building systems/components, technology, and construction administration.
• Experience with various disciplines, trades, and systems related to complex industrial facilities, with an emphasis on full project delivery.
• Experience in the execution of multi-office projects with remote teams.
• Strong people leadership skills, along with building and maintaining client relationships.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles and industry standards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in client-facing roles and business development.
• Ability to travel to project locations for short-term visits to client sites.
• Valid driver’s license and passport for potential project‑related international travel.

Preferred Experience

• Experience managing design projects for automotive OEMs, EV manufacturers, battery producers, or Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers.
• Experience with manufacturing, assembly, paint, body shop, battery cell, battery pack, powertrain, warehouse/distribution, testing, or industrial support facilities.
• Familiarity with automotive capital project delivery processes and fast‑track industrial facility programs.
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary project teams supporting operational manufacturing environments.
• Existing relationships within the automotive, mobility, battery, or advanced manufacturing industries are highly valued.
• Experience working on projects for clients such as Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Rivian, Lucid, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, or major Tier 1 suppliers is a plus.