Engineering Program Manager

The Engineering Program Manager will be responsible for managing embedded software planning and implementation activities for a light duty automotive application, with a secondary focus on systems engineering and change control process management.  

This role supports the sustainment phase of theprogram lifecycle and will lead the effort in identifying obsolescence issues,gaining cross-functional alignment and approval on program scope alongside the Software and Systems engineering teams, and preparing documentation to transition the project to the platform team.

In addition, the Program Manager will drive the Software team’s change control process by with a focus on organization, documentation, and communication.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical coordination, process discipline, and cross-functional leadership capabilities.

YOUR IMPACT:

• Lead obsolescence planning efforts for embedded software-affected components on an automotive program, including initiating and managing the project approval process to formally launch obsolescence workstreams.

• Developidentified obsolescence projects from issue identification toscoping and developing project plans alongside the Software and Systems engineering teams, gaining budgetary alignment and approval,organizing design review material, and preparing the appropriate assumptions, timing plans, and risk assessment documentation to transitionthe project to the platform team.

• Manage the handoff of the project to the platform team and provide continued organizational support to the cross-functional team

• Demonstrate a functional understanding of proper program management processes

• Coordinate the Software and Systems teams change management process, including the organization and facilitation of regular change control meetings, reviewing engineering change tickets, setting meeting agendas, and ensuring timely resolution and closure of issues.

• Ensure compliance with formal change management processes and protocols across all program activities.

• Oversee cross-functional alignment with Systems/Software Engineering, Program Management, Configuration Management, and Platform Engineering teams to support both reactive and proactive change initiatives.

• Monitor and report on change management metrics and project milestones to ensure timely delivery and risk mitigation.

• Maintain comprehensive documentation for all program and project software changes

• Identify and escalate risks or bottlenecks in obsolescence or change management processes and drive solutions to ensure project success.

• Act as a liaison between engineering, software, and program teams to ensure project feasibility, proper resourcing, and traceability of technical changes.

• Drive process standardization and continuous improvement for obsolescence and change control workflows.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Systems Engineering, or a related field.

• 6+ years of experience in Program Management, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, or related fields

• Proven experience managing projects through full lifecycles in the automotive space.

• Working knowledge of both Agile and Phase Gate development methodologies.

• Strong understanding of software systems and systems engineering practices.

• Demonstrated success in coordinating cross-functional engineering teams and managing stakeholder expectations.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

• Ability to travel up to 20%.

STANDOUT QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Business Administration (MBA).

• Experience at an automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier

• Experience with configuration control tools, enterprise PLM systems (e.g., Windchill), and requirements management tools (e.g. DOORS, Jama)

• Experience with software lifecycle management, particularly in embedded or vehicle systems.

• PMP certification

• Proficiency in MS Project, Jira, and Microsoft Office Suite.