Mission
About the Role
We are seeking an organized, proactive, and technically minded Jr. Vehicle Synthesis Program Manager to join our Vehicle Engineering team. In this role, you will support the cross-functional convergence and synthesis of complete vehicle systems including chassis, powertrain/thermal, body, electrical, and interior/exterior attributes. Acting as the central communication hub between design engineering, program management, prototype build facilities, and validation teams, you will track vehicle milestones, manage engineering target convergence, and support vehicle-level program delivery from concept phase to production launch.
Key Responsibilities
- Cross-Functional Tracking: Assist in tracking system-level engineering deliverables, weight/mass management, vehicle packaging clearance, and target attribute convergence (NVH, durability, aerodynamics, thermal) across multiple technical engineering teams.
- BOM & Configuration Support: Support Bill of Materials (BOM) auditing, vehicle variant configuration tracking, and engineering change management (ECO/ECR) to ensure prototype build accuracy.
- Program Milestone Execution: Assist senior Program Managers in maintaining master timing schedules, tracking program risk registers, and updating key performance indicators (KPIs) for vehicle build milestones (e.g., Mule builds, TT, PP).
- Prototype & Build Coordination: Coordinate directly with prototype workshops, build centers, and testing teams to address vehicle-level assembly issues, shortage tracking, and vehicle build sign-offs.
- Issue Management & Action Tracking: Facilitate daily/weekly vehicle synthesis cross-functional alignment meetings, track open engineering issue resolution lists (8D, open issue decks), and follow up with component DREs on outstanding technical actions.
- On-Site Travel Support: Travel to assembly plants, prototype centers, and proving grounds to provide hands-on synthesis coordination, support physical vehicle integration reviews, and monitor build execution.
Profile
Qualifications & Skill Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience: 1–3 years of experience in the automotive or mobility industry, ideally within vehicle integration, systems engineering, or junior program management.
- Vehicle System Knowledge: General understanding of overall vehicle architecture, main vehicle subsystems, and standard product development phase-gate processes (e.g., APQP).
- Program Management Tools: Hands-on proficiency with project scheduling software (MS Project, Smartsheet, or Jira), PLM software (Teamcenter or Enovia), and advanced Microsoft Excel.
- Communication & Organization: Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills with the ability to summarize complex technical information into concise project status decks for cross-functional alignment.
- Travel Availability: Willingness and capability to travel 15%–25% to support prototype build centers and manufacturing facilities during critical launch and synthesis windows.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience working at an automotive OEM, Tier-1 supplier, or EV startup.
- Exposure to vehicle-level physical testing, virtual synthesis/packaging (CATIA/NX viewer), or prototype build logistics.
- PMP certification coursework or CAPM certification.