Project Manager, Steering & Suspension

The Project Manager in Steering & Suspension is responsible for overseeing project portfolios, representing the Vehicle Suspension Team, ensuring compliance with vehicle regulations, maintaining brand reputation, and communicating project status and needs effectively. This role also involves front-loading assignments, integrating deliveries while focusing on quality, and participating in daily leadership meetings to discuss project deliveries.

To become a Project Manager in Steering & Suspension, candidates should possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred. Additionally, having 6-8+ years of experience in product development within the transportation sector is essential, with knowledge of heavy-duty trucks, chassis structures, and vehicle dynamics being critical.

Candidates interested in the Project Manager role should ideally have extensive experience in product development, especially in truck development. Knowledge of Steering and Suspension Systems, basic CAD skills, and previous product ownership experience are preferred. Experience in project management and familiarity with Agile frameworks and DVP are also highly valued.

As a Project Manager, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes health care plans covering medical, dental, and vision, various life insurance options, generous paid time off, training and development opportunities, and a retirement plan featuring 401k and IRA options. These benefits underline our commitment to supporting our employees' well-being.

The Project Manager plays a crucial role in the development of modular systems by optimizing part diversity and ensuring that new designs meet functional requirements. Through effective collaboration with engineers and designers across different development centers, the Project Manager secures the integration of deliveries and maintains high standards of quality before product release.

In your response, highlight specific projects you've managed, detailing your approach to overseeing product development phases, ensuring compliance with regulations, and communicating effectively across teams. Showcase your technical expertise in vehicle suspension systems and how it contributed to project success.

Discuss your familiarity with Agile methodologies, project management frameworks, and how you’ve implemented these in past projects. Emphasize your ability to adapt methodologies based on project needs while maintaining efficiency and quality.

You might explain your strategy for front-loading work, conducting early assessments, and constantly communicating with team members to address potential issues. Stress your focus on maintaining quality standards throughout the project lifecycle.

Provide a specific example where you encountered obstacles, such as delays or regulatory compliance issues. Illustrate how your problem-solving skills and project management experience helped you navigate these challenges successfully.

Talk about maintaining regular updates through meetings, reports, and communication platforms. Detail how you ensure that both technical and non-technical stakeholders are on the same page regarding project progress and challenges.

Highlight your belief in collaboration and teamwork as essential elements of successful project management. Discuss how you foster a collaborative environment, encourage input from team members, and unify the group towards common goals.

Discuss your strategies for professional development, such as attending industry conferences, reading relevant literature, participating in training programs, or networking within the community to stay informed about innovations in vehicle dynamics and suspension systems.

Detail your experience with CAD software like CREO-AVP, sharing examples of how you've utilized it in previous projects to create or modify designs and how this proficiency facilitated effective communication with design teams.

Illustrate your conflict resolution strategies, focusing on communication, mediation, and finding common ground among team members. Share a specific instance where you successfully resolved a conflict to maintain team cohesion and project timelines.

You could answer by explaining your approach to understanding relevant regulations, conducting compliance checks during the project development phases, and leveraging team expertise to maintain adherence to industry standards effectively.