Sub-System Technical Lead - Engine Cooling Systems

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

About The Position

The Sub-System Technical Lead serves as the technical program manager for one or more vehicle lines and is the key point of contact between the cooling systems design team and other functional areas, including vehicle program management, engineering departments, and manufacturing. The role ensures that cooling systems meet functional and performance requirements while satisfying cost, weight, investment, timing, and quality objectives. Relevant components include cooling module assemblies (radiator, condenser, and fan assembly), transmission oil coolers, hose and tube assemblies, electric coolant heaters, valves and pumps, and chillers. The position manages cooling-system responsibilities from initial concept through end of life. Work includes concept studies, initial packaging, thermal system design, cost and weight analysis, prototype procurement, supplier management, sourcing, tooling kickoff, validation, launch, program maintenance, change management, value optimization, and quality improvement. The role coordinates resolution of engineering and quality issues across program stages and functional areas. The Technical Lead supports plant development and launch activities onsite as a visible member of the launch team representing cooling systems. During launch, the role leads cooling-system launch activities, triages and resolves issues, communicates status, and manages resources. This is an intermediate role without direct reports, but with dotted-line management of design release engineers. Some travel to North American suppliers and vehicle assembly plants is required, ranging from 10–20% depending on assignment.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent, from an ABET-accredited program.
Minimum 8 years of engineering experience, emphasizing automotive cooling and HVAC components at an OEM or supplier.
Strong leadership and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to sell ideas to stakeholders and influence others without formal authority.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to lead and manage suppliers and manage multiple concurrent activities.
Proven program management experience, including setting timelines and executing to required milestones.
Strong working knowledge of automotive cooling components and their operating principles.
Ability to communicate status to varied audiences, including top management.
Ability to operate effectively independently and as part of a team.
General knowledge of tooling and manufacturing processes, including molding, stamping, welding, brazing, machining, casting, and coatings.
High level of experience with MS Office tools and ability to create effective presentations.
Knowledge of automotive underhood and underbody packaging and general automotive assembly practices.
Ability to review and apply component and system DFMEAs and DVP&Rs.
Basic financial understanding and ability to maintain a program budget.
Ability to travel to supplier and vehicle assembly plants in North America, with travel ranging from 10–20% based on assignment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent, from an ABET-accredited program.
Understanding of electric vehicle thermal systems and common vehicle system interactions.
Experience in component costing, including piece cost and tooling.
Practical understanding of thermodynamics and heat transfer.
Understanding of basic electrical circuits, components, and their operating principles.
Familiarity with powertrain software and controls.
Experience with cooling-specific and total-vehicle testing, including NVH.
Experience with proactive and/or reactive DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) quality tools.
Working knowledge of UG/NX CAD systems, specifically Teamcenter PLM and Visual Mockup.
Knowledge of Stellantis systems and products, or past experience working for Stellantis as an employee or supplier.

Responsibilities

Serve as technical program manager for one or more vehicle lines and act as the key point of contact between cooling systems design and other functional areas.
Ensure cooling systems meet functional and performance requirements and program cost, weight, investment, timing, and quality objectives.
Manage cooling-system responsibilities from initial concept through end of life.
Support concept studies, initial packaging, thermal system design, cost and weight analysis, and prototype procurement.
Manage suppliers, sourcing, and tooling kickoff.
Support validation, launch, program maintenance, change management, value optimization, and quality improvement initiatives.
Coordinate technical issue resolution related to engineering and quality across program stages and functional areas.
Support plant development and launch activities onsite as a visible cooling-systems representative on the launch team.
Lead cooling-systems launch activities, triage and resolve issues, communicate status, and manage resources.
Lead and influence design release engineers through dotted-line management, without direct reports.
Set program timelines and execute to required milestones while managing multiple concurrent activities and program budgets.
Communicate proactively with colleagues, stakeholders, program management, supervisors, and top management.
Lead and manage suppliers and work independently as well as collaboratively.
Create effective presentations and apply component and system DFMEAs and DVP&Rs.
Travel to suppliers and vehicle assembly plants in North America as required by assignment.