Technical Manager, Engineering

Summit Polymers; Portage (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Summit Polymers, a leading automotive interior systems supplier, seeks a Technical Manager, Engineering to lead commodity-specific engineering efforts for A/Cs, IP trim, consoles, and related components. You will supervise designers and engineers and work closely with program management to ensure timely, cost-effective product development.

The role emphasizes building a knowledge database, driving concurrent engineering, and maintaining technical merit to meet customer and manufacturing needs.

Qualifications

• B.S in engineering and 5 years of industrial project management experience (automotive preferred).
• 10 years of progressive technical experience in industrial project management.
• Wonderlic Select Assessment: minimum score 50.

Responsibilities

• Develop and track technical competence of designers and project engineers.
• Supervise on program work.
• Assign projects to deepen knowledge.
• Lead design input and design output; review tooling design and function.
• Develop, maintain, and update knowledge database, development checklists and standards.
• Support other functional areas with commodity-specific work (Sales, R&D, manufacturing).

Skills

Project management

Team supervision

Engineering knowledge

Education

B.S. in engineering

Job description

Technical Center, 6715 South Sprinkle Rd, Portage, Michigan, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Summit Polymers is a leading, global supplier of automotive interior systems including consoles, door panels, and instrument panels. With over 50 years serving the industry, we deliver engineering and product excellence to our customers, on time, in budget, with the latest innovations.

JOIN A TEAM WHERE YOU’LL BE CHALLENGED AND valued.

A career with Summit Polymers means working with smart people in a culture that thrives on challenging, meaningful work. At Summit, we look for growth potential with every hire. We don’t just fill seats, we set people on career paths. We’re always on the lookout for smart people who are committed to continuous improvement, customer service and quality.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Technical Manager, Engineering FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Chief Technical Manager, Engineering

SUMMARY

This is a commodity specific technical position (A/Cs, IP Trim, Consoles, Cup holder/Ash Cup/Bin/Other Moving Components) responsible for leading set based concurrent engineering and building a knowledge database in the product development process. This position will work closely with program management, the corresponding technical leader, and plant launch management. They will be responsible for supervising designers and engineers.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Under general supervision is responsible for the following major tasks:

• Develop and track technical competence of designers and project engineers
• Supervise on program work
• Assign projects to deepen knowledge
• Meet Timing
  • Meet Design and Tooling Budget
  • Meet Gross Margin
  • Lead Design Input and Design Output
  • Review as needed Tooling Design and Function
  • Participate in development gates activities
  • Responsible for the technical merit of the commodity – meet customer, engineering and manufacturing needs
• Direct responsibility for part design and tooling
  • Work closely with technical leader to support gauges, fixtures, other secondary equipment and standardized work
  • Follow standards
  • Develop, Maintain and Update "Knowledge Database", Development Checklists, Standards etc.
• Through reflections on parts in development
  • Through benchmarking competitors’ parts and processes
  • Through benchmarking current production parts and processes
  • Through performing or assigning projects
  • Support other functional areas in company with commodity specific work
• Quoting
  • Sales and Marketing
  • R&D
  • Responsible for assigned auxiliary work to support design and engineering
  • Other tasks as assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

B.S degree in engineering and 5 years of industrial project management (automotive related preferred) experience or some college coursework in and engineering curriculum and 10 years of progressive technical experience leading to and including industrial project management.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

B.S degree in engineering and 5 years of industrial project management (automotive related preferred) experience or some college coursework in and engineering curriculum and 10 years of progressive technical experience leading to and including industrial project management.

• A minimum score of 50 on the Wonderlic Select Assessment (Traditional score of 26 on the Cognitive portion).

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This position typically does require up to 25% travel.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Agreement to complete all post-hire required training.

Technical Center, 6715 South Sprinkle Rd, Portage, Michigan, United States of America