Job Title: Project Engineer / Project ManagerJob DescriptionThis role leads cross-functional automotive engineering projects through the full product development life cycle, ensuring on-time delivery, adherence to cost targets, and achievement of performance requirements. You will serve as the primary point of contact for both internal teams and key automotive customers, managing APQP documentation, supporting prototyping activities, and providing clear project status and risk assessments to leadership. The position is ideal for an experienced mechanical engineer ready to move into project management or an established project manager with automotive experience.Responsibilities
- Lead cross-functional teams through all phases of the product development and release process, from concept through launch, to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet defined performance requirements.
- Manage Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) documentation requirements for each assigned project, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with customer and internal standards.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for customers and internal stakeholders on product development and program management activities, maintaining strong communication and alignment throughout the project life cycle.
- Provide regular project status updates and risk assessments across the organization, including formal monthly presentations to management.
- Support the prototyping process by defining prototype requirements, coordinating sourcing activities, and overseeing prototype execution and delivery.
- Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and other functional teams to support the full product life cycle, from initial design through production.
- Apply structured methodologies such as DFMEA, PFMEA, MSA, and root cause analysis to identify, assess, and mitigate risks and issues throughout the project.
- Interpret and review technical prints and specifications to ensure designs and products meet customer and internal requirements.
- Manage engineering change orders and related documentation, ensuring changes are evaluated, approved, communicated, and implemented effectively.
- Ensure customer-specific requirements are understood, documented, and integrated into project plans, deliverables, and quality documentation.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within the automotive product line by capturing lessons learned and integrating best practices into future projects.
Essential Skills
- 5+ years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer serving as a technical lead on projects with a strong desire to transition into project management, OR at least 3+ years of direct project management experience.
- Experience in the automotive industry or a closely related industry, with exposure to automotive manufacturing and product development.
- Strong experience in mechanical engineering, design engineering, and project engineering.
- Hands-on experience managing the product development life cycle in an automotive or similar environment.
- Proficiency in project management practices, including planning, scheduling, risk management, and status reporting.
- Experience working with engineering change orders and related processes.
- Working knowledge of APQP and associated documentation requirements.
- Ability to read and interpret technical prints and engineering drawings.
- Demonstrated experience performing root cause analysis to resolve technical and process issues.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to present project status and risks to management and customer stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams across engineering and operations.
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or an equivalent mechanical engineering degree.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working with tier 1 automotive customers or large automotive OEMs.
- Familiarity with TS-related quality system requirements in an automotive environment.
- Practical experience with DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis).
- Practical experience with PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis).
- Experience with MSA (Measurement System Analysis).
- Experience managing or fulfilling customer-specific requirements in automotive programs.
- Automotive product development within an auto division or similar business unit preferred.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced environment supporting multiple concurrent projects.
- Interest in growing from a technical lead role into a broader project management or program management capacity.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Eden Prairie, MN. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $75000.00 - $106000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Strong internal company benefits. For any questions or if you wish to see a copy of the benefits please reach out for a copy. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Eden Prairie, MN. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Eden Prairie,MN.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
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Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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