Job Requirements
Job Title: Engineering Project Manager
Job Title: Pune
Experience: 8 – 12 years
Domain: Automotive Exterior Engineering
Role Overview
We are looking for an Engineering Project Manager (EPM) to lead end-to-end delivery of automotive exterior product programs - from concept and design through industrialization, validation, and series launch. This role is ideal for a hands-on technical leader who can drive product convergence, manage cross-functional extended teams, and ensure robust, on-time delivery within Quality, Cost, and Timing (QCT) requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Product Design & Validation
- Lead product design ensuring compliance with customer specifications, GD&T standards, and design-for-manufacturing principles (assembly, paint & packaging)
- Act as the main technical interface with the customer during design and tuning phases
- Manage risk analysis through DFMEA and Design Reviews
- Oversee specifications, manufacturing, and validation of associated means: injection tools, checking fixtures, test jigs, and End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT)
- Manage product validation covering functional, geometry, and cosmetic quality
- Drive mould tuning and checking fixture tuning activities
- Provide functional specifications for baby parts
- Participate in productivity and capitalization actions; contribute closure feedback and best practices at project end
Project Management
- Define the initial Statement of Work (SOW) for the product engineering perimeter, including extended team, development budget, and OPTIMAP work packages
- Build and maintain the engineering project planning
- Lead engineering project reviews; consolidate actions and provide reporting and escalation plans
- Participating in QUAD (product & process feasibility milestone) reviews
- Track perimeter changes, report to the Program Manager, and propose adjustments throughout project lifetime
- Can be involved in upstream phases such as expertise and acquisition phases
Budget Management
- Ensure product PRU commitment for design-relevant cost criteria
- Allocate and monitor budget across the extended team; escalate deviations promptly
- Define internal vs. external perimeter in relation to the SOW
- Contribute to investment optimization through part design decisions
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Drive cross-functional management of the extended project team: Product Line Engineer, Design Leader, CAD Engineer, Validation Engineer, Geometry Engineer, Checking Fixture Engineer, Injection & Tooling Engineers, Material Engineer, CAE Engineer, Mold Flow Engineer, Mock-up Engineer, and Logistics Development Engineer
- Ensure RETEX (return of experience) and lessons learnt are captured and disseminated
- Depending on project size, directly handle selected activities of the extended team
KPIs & Deliverables
- OPTIMAP work packages - completion and on-time delivery
- Budget hours and CNQ (Cost of Non-Quality)
- Product convergence against CTQ (Critical to Quality) targets
- Tools PRU convergence - IPI metrics including scrap rates and cycle time
- Non-event program launch and robust manufacturing readiness
Technical Skills & Expertise
- Design and development of plastic parts for the automotive industry (exterior components preferred)
- Proficiency with IMS (O4), OPTIMAP, KEOPS, CTQ, POMS, and QUAD frameworks
- Injection moulding process: tooling design, mould tuning, and process validation
- GD&T, checking fixture design, and dimensional management
- DFMEA and Design Review methodologies
- Project planning, budget tracking, and SOW management
Qualifications
- Bachelor or masters degree with significant relevant experience in engineering (Mechanical, Materials, Automotive, or related)
- Previous experience in design and/or development of plastic parts for the automotive industry - exterior components strongly preferred
- Demonstrated project management experience in a Tier-1 automotive supplier or OEM environment
- Strong leadership with a track record of managing cross-functional teams
- Excellent communication skills for direct customer and stakeholder interfacing
- Rigorous, organized, with ability to produce clear synthesis and reporting
- English proficiency required; French skill is a plus
