System Architect Level 2 / PDL Level 2

faurecia S.A.; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Forvia is seeking a Program Development Leader to own the complete engineering of the product and process, ensuring compliance with Quality, Cost, and Delivery. The role includes leading an engineering team, developing PFMEA/DFMEA, and delivering on OEM PPAP requirements.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering with at least 5 years in industrial design/development, preferably in automotive interiors, and strong English communication within a multicultural environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or equivalent with at least 5 years in design and development within an industrial environment.
• Experience in automotive interior parts is preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication and teamwork skills; ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• English proficiency is required; customer language is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Scope of work & time frame from concept design to Start‑Of‑Production and 3/6 months after quality standards meet customer specs.
• Create functional analysis, DFMEA, action plans, PFMEA, and manage ECM processes.
• Ensure feasibility of processes per GTS standards and define tooling specifications with PE support.
• Define Design Validation Plan (DVP) and guarantee successful validation (CAE or prototype).
• Support cost control to align with D&D budget and internal ECRs.
• Lead the engineering team (SPDEs and PEs) and ensure PPAP readiness on time and in compliance with OEM requirements.

Skills

Team leadership

Technical skills

Communication

Multicultural collaboration

Engineering standards

7 Quality Basics

English language

Education

Bachelor's Degree in engineering

Tools

ECM process

Job description

Forvia, a sustainable mobility technology leader

We pioneer technology for mobility experience that matter to people.

Your mission, roles and responsibilities

Position Summary: The Program Development Leader is a member of the core team. The PDL is responsible for complete engineering of the product and process in compliance with Quality, Cost, and Delivery. The PDL is also responsible for the performance and people objectives within PMS requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Scope of work & time frame
  • Begin with concept design received from Concept Engineering to Start‑Of‑Production + 3/6 months when quality standards have met customer specifications, from PMS phase 2 to phase 4 during development.
  • Start of phase 5 is when in charge of serial life development.
  • Build the internal engineering schedule to match the customer master schedule and industrialisation / purchasing constraints.
  • All tasks are done with the appropriate tools and in compliance with the PMS work‑packages, FES standards & 7‑Quality‑Basics, supporting the functional milestone “time to pass” objective.
  • Reporting: Monthly summary on PALM, including risk and opportunities and corresponding action plans.
  • Capitalize on experience through the lessons‑learnt process.
• Product definition
  • Create functional analysis, develop the DFMEA, complete the action plan, support the PFMEA, and define key characteristics.
  • Enter all technical issues into a single list of issues.
  • Manage engineering change through the ECM process.
  • Support risk management through robust design compliant with product/process design standards and managing EFM’s.
• Process definition
  • Ensure feasibility of processes in line with best practices, GTS standards & guidelines, including ergonomics standards.
  • Check process feasibility for BOP (validate feasibility studies of sub‑suppliers).
  • Define tool specifications with PE support and approve tool‑design release through the tool launch process involving IPM and GTS.
  • Obtain approval from IPM to ensure product compliance with the process flow chart.
  • Deliver robust tools to operations with optimised cycle time at required quality level, with pilot‑plant support.
• Validation
  • Define the Design Validation Plan (DVP).
  • Guarantee successful DVP: virtual validation (CAE) or prototype approval.
  • Complete successful PV test.
  • Support development of process capability (CPK).
• Cost Control
  • Work in compliance with D&D budget and negotiate internal ECR with the Program Manager.
  • Identify all product changes with cost impact to reach design‑to‑cost and VAVE objectives.
• People management & development
  • Ensure good communication within the extended technical team, production plant, offshore development sites and support teams.
  • Support competency development of the PE’s and their career advancement.
  • Commit to the highest ethical standards and adherence to Faurecia’s Code of Ethics and Code of Management.
  • Lead product definition to ensure compliance with customer specifications and geometric convergence.
  • Manage BOP definition release.
  • Validate the product and process to achieve Production Part and Process Approval (PPAP) on time and in compliance with OEM and legal requirements.
  • Manage engineering team members functionally, including senior product design engineers (SPDE) and program engineers (PE).

Your profile and competencies to succeed

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or significant professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in design and development within an industrial environment, preferably in automotive interior parts.

Knowledge / Skills

• Team leader.
• Strong technical skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Strong managerial skills.
• Knowledge of 7 Quality Basics.
• Meets the requirements of the Engineering Profile for the function (mandatory trainings).
• English required; customer’s language strongly preferred.

What we can do for you

• Engaging and dynamic environment where you contribute to sustainable mobility leading technologies.
• Opportunities for career development across more than 40 countries.
• Learning environment with more than 22 hours of online and in‑person training through FORVIA University.
• Multicultural environment valuing diversity and international collaboration; gender diversity targets and inclusion action plans in place.
• Commitment to CO2 Net Zero with the SBTI Net‑Zero Standard; focus on recyclability and circular economy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Forvia is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis protected by law.