Body and Closures Manager

The Manager for Engineering Design Improvement is responsible for leading a specified Functional Area based team of Design Engineers in the execution of the team’s annual business plan. The primary scope of the team’s business plan is related to Current North America produced Genesis / Hyundai / KIA vehicle Mass Production Quality, Warranty Claim, JD Power IQS and Cost Reduction design improvement activities.

The successful candidate will have a wide breadth of automotive experience with the ability to lead the design improvement activity for all North American production vehicles to meet or exceed our local customer requirements. The primary focus is life-cycle production while simultaneously developing new technologies (i.e. Cost Reduction, Quality Improvement, etc) and adhering to the highest safety standards. Additionally, skillsets related to experience overseeing engineering personnel at multiple locations, managing technical budgets and understanding OEM and Tier Supplier production methodologies are recommended.

• Vehicle Life Cycle Design Improvement: Function as a subject matter expert in relation to Automotive Design Improvement Activity for Body Structure, Body Closures, Interior Trim, Exterior Trim or Seat functional areas. Lead competitor benchmarking activities for Mass Production, Warranty Claim, Cost Reduction and JDPA IQS improvements. Manage and Final Approve drawing release and executing engineering orders that meet all related safety/regulatory targets, etc. Function as the HATCI Engineering Design Lead in one of our four office locations (West Point GA, Savannah GA, Montgomery AL or Monterrey Mexico).
• Technology Assessment and Development: Provide vision and guidance to the Engineering Design Improvement staff engineers related to training and career development in the area of new technology research. Lead new technology concept adoption projects into current production vehicles where feasible and applicable to improve vehicle quality and to reduce vehicle cost.
• Business Management: Successfully meet all KPI’s including: Program Timing, Cost & Quality Improvement, Intellectual Property, Budget, Personnel Development, Corporate Culture, etc. Manage goals and objectives for all direct reports. Assign tasks and projects to support the related team’s work plan, ensuring all goals and budget spending are met per the R&D budget.
• Team Management: Execute annual team work plan and budget in support of the HATCI Vehicle Engineering (VE) vision. Assign tasks and projects to support the related team’s work plan. Ensure all goals and budget spending are met. Manage and direct Engineers in daily activities for work projects relating to team activities in support of our three brands: Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Ensure administrative functions such as purchasing requests, timecard, vacation requests, travel requests, etc., are followed on a timely basis
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Management: Advocate for the internal and external customers. Collaborate with regional affiliates: Sales and Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, as well as corporate headquarters in Korea. Actively engaging with all relevant levels from Engineers to Senior Management while building effective relationships with all. Interface and co-work with other teams within HATCI and its affiliates - Project Management, Product Planning, Materials Development, Safety Integration, Regulation & Certification, Sales and Marketing, Manufacturing - provide support as required with testing, development, vehicle clinics, etc
• Communication: Interface and co-work with other teams within HATCI and its affiliates: Review progress to work plan and quality of work. Provide technical direction and guidance. Accurately maintain and update project status reports and review with senior management routinely.
• Budgeting and Resource Allocation: Manage an R&D budget, ensuring optimal utilization of resources. Monitor and approve expenses, identify savings opportunities, and make project/strategic investment decisions to support all R&D activities
• Other duties as assigned
• Travel up to 15% of time domestically and internationally.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Manage, train, evaluate and make recommendations for hire, pay changes, promotions or terminations.
• Assign and distribute work to engineering staff.
• Instruct and train relative to methods and procedures.
• Respond to complaints or grievances.
• Write and execute performance and competency evaluations.

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong knowledge of CATIA V5 or CAD systems
• Strong Project Management skills
• Flexibility and ability to quickly analyze and adapt in a fast paced Vehicle Production design support environment
• Strong skills in MS Office Suite - PowerPoint, Project Excel, Outlook, etc
• Proficient time management and organization skills
• Proficient self-management skills

• Bachelor in Engineering (minimum) with Mechanical Engineering or Electrical preferred
• 12 years in automotive vehicle design and development with increasing levels of project scope and responsibility level
• 1 years managing an automotive design engineering department
• Expert in Vehicle Design and resolving Development and Quality Issues (Warranty Claim JDPA IQS, Mass Production and Cost Reduction)
• Significant experience and expertise in Automotive Design methodologies (Multi-Functional Area, CATIA V5, Testing)
• Experience working and accepting culturally diverse team environment and willingness to learn new ways of interacting
• Valid Driver's License & satisfactory driving record
• Candidates applying for positions with Hyundai-Kia must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
• HATCI is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Veteran. VEVRAA Federal contractor

• Zero-dollar employee premiums on Medical, Dental, and Vision for you and your family
• 100% employer-paid disability and life insurance
• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick and abundant holidays
• A global environment that fosters diversity
• Competitive salaries
• Retirement savings and planning benefits
• Flexible work hours, and hybrid work schedule options
• Access to health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts