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