Program Manager| Automotive Launch

Senior Program Manager | Automotive Launch

Job Type: Direct Hire

Compensation: $105,000–$135,000 Base Salary 15% Bonus

Travel: 25%–30%, with increased travel during program launches

Industry: Tier 1 Automotive Manufacturing

Education: Bachelor's Degree required | PMP preferred

Position Overview

The Qualified Professional & Technical Group has been retained to identify an experienced Senior Program Manager for a Tier 1 automotive supplier specializing in exterior trim.

The Senior Program Manager will serve as the primary customer contact throughout the product lifecycle while leading cross-functional teams responsible for delivering programs on time, within budget, and in accordance with customer expectations.

This position requires experience leading multiple Tier 1 automotive programs from customer award through production launch (SOP). The successful candidate will typically manage 3- 4 customer programs simultaneously.

Candidates with experience supporting Japanese OEM launch programs are preferred. Tier 1 automotive launch professionals supporting domestic OEMs are also encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multiple automotive product development and launch programs from customer award through successful production launch.
• Manage approximately 3–4 customer programs simultaneously.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the customer and internal cross-functional teams.
• Develop and manage program timing, budgets, deliverables, and launch readiness activities.
• Lead cross-functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Supply Chain, Tooling, Finance, and Operations.
• Ensure customer milestones, quality standards, timing, and financial objectives are achieved.
• Manage tooling, capital expenditures, prototype builds, validation activities, and launch schedules.
• Lead Value Analysis and Value Engineering initiatives to improve cost, quality, and manufacturability.
• Manage Engineering Change Notices and customer-driven design changes throughout the program lifecycle.
• Identify program risks early and develop mitigation plans.
• Coordinate supplier activities and manufacturing readiness to support customer launch timing.
• Drive accountability across cross-functional teams.
• Provide regular program updates to executive leadership and customers.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and lessons learned following production launch.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, Finance, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field.
• PMP certification preferred.
• 5–7 years of experience in Automotive Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Sales, or Program Management.
• Minimum 2 years of Tier 1 Automotive Program Management or Project Management experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading automotive programs from customer award through production launch (SOP).
• Strong customer-facing experience supporting OEM programs.
• Experience managing multiple launch programs simultaneously.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25%–30%.

Technical Qualifications

• Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
• Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA)
• Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA)
• Engineering Change Management
• Product Development
• New Product Launch
• Customer Program Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation
• Budget and Timeline Management
• Value Analysis and Value Engineering

Candidates should understand and be able to discuss all five phases of APQP:

• Plan and Define Program
• Product Design and Development
• Process Design and Development
• Product and Process Validation
• Feedback, Assessment, and Corrective Action

Applicants should also be able to explain how APQP, DFMEA, and PFMEA have been applied throughout previous launch programs to reduce risk, improve quality, and achieve successful customer launches.

Manufacturing Experience

Experience with one or more of the following manufacturing processes is required:

• Assembly
• Injection Molding
• Roll Forming
• Extrusion
• Metal Forming
• Machining
• Fabrication
• Anodizing

Previous experience as a Manufacturing Engineer, Launch Engineer, Manufacturing Project Engineer, or Product Engineer is preferred.

If you are a proven Tier 1 automotive Program Manager with a passion for product development, customer satisfaction, and successful launch execution, we would like to hear from you.