Job Title: Project EngineerJob DescriptionThe Project Engineer leads new product development and launch activities from concept through production readiness for automotive and precision-engineered components. This role manages complex programs, coordinates cross-functional teams, and ensures robust processes for injection molding, metal stamping, and electric motor-related components. The Project Engineer plays a key role in technical evaluations, tooling support, and continuous improvement to optimize product performance, quality, and cost.
Responsibilities- Lead new product development and launch activities from initial concept through production readiness for automotive and precision-manufactured components.
- Manage project timelines, deliverables, risks, and cross-functional coordination to ensure successful execution of multiple programs.
- Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions, engineering changes, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead design reviews, feasibility studies, and manufacturability evaluations to ensure robust product and process design.
- Plan and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) activities to optimize product and process performance.
- Coordinate prototype development using 3D printing, rapid tooling, machining, and related prototyping methods.
- Support tooling design, tooling tryouts, process validation, and production launch activities for molding and stamping operations.
- Work closely with production teams to coordinate the launch of new business and ensure smooth transition from development to full-scale manufacturing.
- Drive value engineering initiatives, product improvements, and cost-reduction projects to enhance competitiveness and profitability.
- Prepare technical evaluations, feasibility assessments, and cost analyses for new and existing programs to support business decisions.
- Collaborate with suppliers and vendors on tooling, materials, automation, testing, and equipment requirements to ensure capability and quality.
- Support development of automotive injection molded components, over-molded and insert-molded parts, lamination stacks, and lead frame components for electrical applications.
- Provide technical support to customers, sales, quality, and manufacturing teams, addressing product and process-related questions and issues.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Tier suppliers, and key customers.
- Perform hands-on evaluations of molds, tooling, fixtures, machinery, and manufactured components to verify performance and identify improvement opportunities.
- Conduct visual inspection of parts, tooling, drawings, and product features, including identifying defects and dimensional variations.
- Support and champion continuous improvement and best practices in product development, manufacturing engineering, and project management.
Essential Skills- Experience in product development, manufacturing engineering, or project engineering within an automotive or precision manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of injection molding processes, including tooling design, process validation, and production launch for molded components.
- Knowledge of metal stamping operations and associated tooling and process requirements.
- Practical understanding of manufacturing process validation and quality assurance methodologies.
- Experience with APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) in an automotive or similar environment.
- Experience with DOE (Design of Experiments) and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage timelines, deliverables, risks, and cross-functional coordination.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to internal teams, customers, and suppliers.
- Demonstrated cross-functional leadership capabilities and ability to influence without direct authority.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Technical aptitude to perform hands-on evaluations and visual inspections of parts, tooling, fixtures, and machinery.
- Ability to travel to customer, supplier, and manufacturing locations as required.
Additional Skills & Qualifications- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field is preferred.
- Experience supporting electric motor or precision-engineered component applications is a plus.
- Background in the automotive industry, including worki