Vehicle Prototype Build Lead Engineer

Detroit Engineered Products; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Engineered Products seeks a Lead Prototype Build Engineer to manage prototype and mule vehicle builds from planning through execution. The role partners with program teams to define scope, coordinate activities, monitor progress, and resolve issues while ensuring on-time completion.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership, project management, and communication skills, plus experience in vehicle build processes and presenting to management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years engineering, vehicle development or prototype build experience.
• Knowledge of vehicle build processes and prototype development.
• Strong PM, organizational and leadership skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Experience presenting to management.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead prototype and mule vehicle builds through planning, prep, and execution.
• Collaborate with program teams to define build scope and requirements.
• Communicate build requirements to the build team and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain build plans, schedules, and tracking metrics.
• Provide regular status updates to leadership and teams.
• Identify and resolve build-related issues, risks, and roadblocks.
• Coordinate shop readiness, resources, tooling, and personnel.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to support builds.
• Prepare and deliver management presentations on status and milestones.
• Ensure builds are safe, efficient and aligned with timelines.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Prototype Build Engineer (Build Lead) to join our Prototype Build Engineering team. This role is responsible for managing prototype and mule vehicle builds from initial planning through execution. The Build Lead partners closely with program teams to define build scope, coordinate prototype build activities, monitor progress, resolve issues, and ensure successful build completion. The ideal candidate is an energetic, innovative thinker with strong organizational and leadership skills who can effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead prototype and mule vehicle builds through planning, preparation, and execution phases.
• Collaborate with program teams to understand and define build scope, objectives, and requirements.
• Communicate build requirements and objectives to the prototype build team and key stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain build plans, schedules, and progress tracking metrics.
• Monitor build activities and provide regular status updates to leadership and program teams.
• Identify, elevate, and help resolve build-related issues, risks, and roadblocks.
• Coordinate shop readiness activities to ensure resources, tooling, materials, and personnel are prepared for build execution.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to support successful vehicle build activities.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to management regarding build status, risks, and milestones.
• Ensure builds are completed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with program timelines and objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 5 years of engineering, vehicle development, prototype build, or related automotive experience.
• Working knowledge of vehicle build processes and prototype development activities.
• Strong project management, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience preparing presentations and presenting to all levels of management.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Bill of Material (BOM) development and management.
• Experience with engineering change management processes.
• Automotive prototype, validation, or launch experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive projects to successful completion.

Core Competencies

• Leadership and team collaboration
• Project planning and execution
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Effective communication and stakeholder management
• Time management and multitasking
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Attention to detail and organizational excellence