Senior Technical Project Manager

Dürr; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Dürr Systems, LLC in Southfield, Michigan is seeking a technically knowledgeable project leader to manage complex automotive paint facilities projects from pre-award to final closeout.

You will coordinate engineering schedules, monitor costs, milestones, and safety, while mentoring junior staff and ensuring on-time delivery across global teams. This role requires strong collaboration with customers, contractors, and internal departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of automotive paint facility project execution experience.
• Knowledge of paint and final assembly systems and related utilities.
• Strong leadership, negotiation and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the engineering team from pre-award activities through final project closeout.
• Develop and monitor engineering schedules and project costs.
• Review contracts and track compliance.
• Mentor project managers and trainees.
• Prepare monthly progress reports and updates.
• Ensure health and safety compliance and site activities.
• Collaborate with customers, contractors, and suppliers.
• Lead closeout meetings and final reports.

Skills

Leadership

Project coordination

Communication

Time management

Teamwork

Negotiation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management

Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

What You’ll Do

• Lead and coordinate the engineering team from pre-award activities through final project closeout.
• Conduct scope-of-work reviews with engineering teams and ensure the complete project scope is clearly understood.
• Review contract documents, identify technical and commercial requirements, and track project compliance.
• Develop and monitor the engineering schedule in coordination with the overall project schedule.
• Partner closely with Project Managers and other departments to keep project activities aligned.
• Coordinate designs and engineering activities with other Dürr entities and global teams.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for customers, contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Facilitate project coordination meetings and support technical decision-making.
• Clarify and finalize technical bid documents.
• Prepare monthly project progress reports and customer updates.
• Develop project cost reports, cockpit charts, and cash-flow projections where applicable.
• Monitor project costs, schedules, milestones, and site activities.
• Identify, manage, and control project risks.
• Develop corrective actions and recovery plans when project activities fall behind schedule.
• Monitor site activities for schedule compliance, cost performance, quality, and health and safety requirements.
• Work within the guidelines of the Dürr Group Project Management Manual.
• Mentor Associate Project Managers and graduate trainees.
• Lead internal project closeout meetings and prepare final closeout reports.
• Complete project closeout activities with the customer and support collection of final payment.
• Review and approve customer warranty requests.

Nonessential Functions

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in appropriate subject (e.g. Engineering, Construction Management)
• Minimum 3 years of automotive paint facility project execution experience
• Knowledge of Paint & Final assembly Systems (PFS) such as Pre-Treatment & E-Coat systems, work decks and application systems, building utility systems, spray booths and paint application systems, ovens, coolers systems used in automotive manufacturing facilities
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and decision making ability
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of SAP is a plus
• Ability to understand and maintain project schedules
• Good time management skills
• Good organizational skills
• Good verbal communication skills
• Good technical writing skills
• Able to effectively communicate with engineering and estimating departments, contractors, suppliers, and customers
• Able to work well independently and in a team environment
• Able to technically define problems and propose solutions
• Adaptable to change in a learning environment
• Willing and able to work overtime, weekends, and holidays when necessary

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for a technically knowledgeable project leader who can manage complex engineering workstreams, communicate effectively with customers, and keep multidisciplinary teams focused on successful project execution.

Ideal Qualifications Include

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.
• At least three years of project execution experience within automotive paint facilities.
• Knowledge of automotive paint and final assembly systems, including:
  • Pretreatment and electrocoat systems
  • Work decks and application systems
  • Building utility systems
  • Spray booths and paint application systems
  • Industrial ovens and cooling systems
• Experience managing engineering schedules, project costs, technical deliverables, and customer requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret contracts, technical specifications, scope documents, and project schedules.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to technically define problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical solutions.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and project-coordination skills.
• Excellent verbal communication and technical writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively with engineering, estimating, project management, contractors, suppliers, and customers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• SAP experience is a plus.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative project team.
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and holidays when required to support project demands.

Why Join Dürr?

At Dürr, you’ll contribute to the delivery of large-scale automotive manufacturing systems for some of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers.

You’ll Have The Opportunity To

• Lead technically complex automotive paint and final assembly projects.
• Work with multidisciplinary engineering teams and global Dürr organizations.
• Manage projects from early planning and pre-award activities through installation, closeout, and warranty support.
• Build strong relationships with customers, contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Mentor developing project-management professionals.
• Expand your technical project leadership experience within a global manufacturing technology organization.
• Receive competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for continued career growth.

Dürr Systems, LLC

Dürr Systems, LLC has been present in the United States since 1970 and operates multiple locations across the United States, including facilities in Michigan and Wisconsin. The largest site is in Southfield, Michigan, which serves as the main center for operations. Dürr employs people across the country who support a wide range of market segments. Dürr Systems USA plans, builds, and installs complete, state-of-the-art paint shops and final assembly facilities, supported by DXQ, Dürr's digital products suite. The company also offers advanced automated painting, sealing, and gluing application technologies, as well as high-viscosity material handling solutions. In addition to serving the automotive industry, Dürr Systems provides premium application technology products for the general industry. In the field of electrode manufacturing, Dürr Systems enhances quality, cost efficiency, and speed to market lithium-ion battery electrode coating through its advanced development and manufacturing coating systems. Committed to innovation, excellence, and customized solutions, Dürr Systems addresses the diverse needs of its North American customers with precision and reliability.

Dürr Systems, LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.