Technology and Project Manager

Brio Energy; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Leggett & Platt Incorporated is seeking a Technology & Project Manager within our Automotive team to drive development and delivery of innovative technology solutions. You will bridge customers, engineering teams, and business stakeholders, ensuring market needs become successful product initiatives.

The role requires a strong engineering background, 10+ years in automotive tech, and MBA is a plus. You will lead cross-functional programs from concept to launch, manage risk, and influence

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Minimum of 10 years of automotive industry experience in a technical customer-facing role.
• Strong knowledge of mechatronic technologies and product development processes.
• Demonstrated commercial acumen and ability to recognize emerging and disruptive technologies.
• Ability to understand customer needs and translate them into effective technical and commercial solutions.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, influencing, and presentation skills.
• Global mindset with the ability to work effectively across international teams and cultures.
• MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with OEM and Tier-1 customers.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable technical and business inputs.
• Lead cross-functional development programs from concept through launch.
• Influence long-term technology and product roadmap discussions.
• Ensure projects are delivered on schedule while mitigating risks.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure product readiness for demonstrations.

Skills

Customer-facing experience

Mechatronics knowledge

Communication & presentation

Global collaboration

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

MBA

Job description

We, at Leggett & Platt Incorporated, are searching for a Technology & Project Manager within our Automotive team to help support our automotive business. We are the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of seating support and comfort systems for transportation manufacturers, as well as tier one and two suppliers within the automotive industry.

About the Role

As a Technology & Project Manager you will have the opportunity to drive the successful development and delivery of innovative technology solutions. Your contributions will have a direct impact on the business by acting as a critical link between customers, engineering teams and business stakeholders, ensuring that market needs, emerging technologies, and business objectives are translated into successful product development initiatives. The successful candidate will combine technical expertise, commercial acumen, and strong project leadership to guide product strategy, manage development programs, support customer engagement, and bring market‑ready solutions to life.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with OEM and Tier‑1 customers.
• Understand customer challenges and translate requirements into actionable technical and business inputs.
• Support product definition, prioritization, and technology promotion efforts.
• Identify and develop co‑development opportunities that drive future business growth.
• Monitor industry, market, and technology trends to identify opportunities and emerging disruptions.
• Analyze competitive products, pricing trends, and commercial intelligence.
• Recommend future product opportunities by identifying portfolio gaps and defining unique value propositions (USPs).
• Influence long‑term technology and product roadmap discussions.
• Lead cross‑functional development programs from concept through launch.
• Establish and maintain effective program governance, risk management, and milestone tracking processes.
• Ensure projects are delivered on schedule while proactively resolving issues and mitigating risks.
• Drive alignment and decision‑making across engineering, product management, and business teams.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure product readiness for customer demonstrations and launch activities.
• Develop presentations, product samples, demonstrations, and marketing assets to support product promotion.
• Represent the organization at customer events, industry exhibitions, technical showcases, and international conferences.

Product & Business Development

• Support innovation and new product development initiatives by evaluating market opportunities, business fit, and cost targets.
• Ensure smooth transition of successful developments to Sales and business teams.
• Facilitate product awards and remove organizational barriers that may impact business growth or customer success.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in the automotive industry within a technical customer‑facing role.
  • Strong knowledge of mechatronic technologies and product development processes.
  • Demonstrated commercial acumen and ability to recognize emerging and disruptive technologies.
  • Ability to understand customer needs and translate them into effective technical and commercial solutions.
  • Excellent relationship‑building, communication, influencing, and presentation skills.
  • Global mindset with the ability to work effectively across international teams and cultures.
• Preferred:
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. We welcome and encourage all applicants to apply. We’d love the opportunity to consider you.

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