Director of Projects

Job responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Project Oversight

• Develop and execute project portfolios for powertrain assembly systems, including high-mix production lines for hybrid/electric and internal combustion engine components.
• Manage a portfolio size of $150M
• Align project objectives with company financial and operational strategies, leveraging standardized automation modules for scalability.
• Oversee $10M projects from design to commissioning, ensuring compliance with ISO, safety, and machine tool build standards
• Financial & Resource Management: Create and manage project budgets, optimizing resource allocation across engineering, procurement, and field teams.
• Implement risk mitigation plans to avoid cost overruns, utilizing tools
• Assist in negotiating contracts with suppliers and subcontractors for robotics, PLCs, and vision-guided systems.
• Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination: Lead a team of project managers, engineers, and technical staff, fostering innovation in automation design and process optimization.
• Lead lessons learned initiatives across all functions of project execution.
• Collaborate with R&D, sales, and operations to integrate emerging technologies (e.g., AI-driven robotics, IoT-enabled monitoring) into project workflows.
• Mentor junior staff and establish KPIs for on-time delivery (>95%) and client satisfaction.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison for key customer accounts, presenting progress reports to C-suite stakeholders and addressing technical/commercial changes.
• Manage reviews & analyses to refine processes and drive continuous improvement in execution throughput.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Identify technical risks (e.g., equipment interoperability, software integration) and implement recovery plans.
• Identify revenue risks based on scope, budget & timeline shifts.
• Support compliance initiatives with OSHA, NEC, and regional regulations for automated manufacturing environments.

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field. A masters/MBA will be desirable but not essential.
• Experience: 10 years in industrial automation project management, including 5 years in powertrain assembly systems (engine/transmission lines, differential assembly, or axle production).
• Technical Skills:
• Experience in managing schedules /budgets /performance for large assembly system projects
• Understanding of PLC based systems, robotic cell design (Fanuc/ABB), and CAD tools (SolidWorks, AutoCAD).
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies (digital twins, predictive maintenance).

• Leadership: Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams of 20 members across global projects.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience with automated engine, transmission & powertrain assembly projects.
• Experience with battery pack assembly lines for electric vehicles
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma
• Experience working with cross-geography multicultural & cross functional teams

Reports to: VP Operations / CEO