Junior Project Engineer

About the role

Supports the Sales & Engineering team by coordinating, tracking, and documenting customer programs from RFQ through mass production launch. Works closely with project engineers, the purchasing team, and cross-functional partners in quality and manufacturing to keep program files, material tracking, and customer documentation correct and current. Regularly coordinates with our manufacturing plant in Celaya, Mexico on tooling and material topics in support of OEM and Tier 1 customer programs. This position is based in our Michigan office.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and updates the project readiness tracker across active customer programs, supporting on-time completion of sample and production milestones for OEM and Tier 1 accounts.
• Assists in preparing customer program status updates for internal and customer-facing review meetings.
• Participates in cross-functional program discussions to stay current on customer requirements, program timing, and open action items.
• Tracks raw material orders and follows up with the purchasing team and plant to ensure on-time delivery against program timing.
• Maintains material order tracking records, keeping order status, grades, and delivery dates current.
• Performs routine document filing and version control for internal engineering records, including material datasheets and internal process standards.
• Maintains organization and structure of the shared engineering drive.
• Monitors and flags internal documents due for scheduled review.
• Formats and uploads updated material and process specification sheets.
• Maintains customer specification documents, updating them as changes are received from the customer or engineering team.
• Retrieves and uploads needed technical and commercial documentation through customer web portals.
• Completes customer-requested documentation, including Feasibility forms, Supplier Readiness packages, and Product Data Sheets (PDS).
• Prepares RFQ overview sheets for incoming customer quote requests, summarizing part, material, and program information.
• Identifies and requests missing technical information from customers during the RFQ process.
• Assembles and organizes RFQ and feasibility documentation, including supporting materials for the internal feasibility review process.
• Coordinates tooling requests and follow-up communication with the Celaya, Mexico manufacturing plant.
• Gathers and formats market and technical data, such as industry adoption trends, to support business development presentations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or Business Administration with a technical focus, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 0-2 years of experience in an engineering, supply chain, or manufacturing support role, ideally within automotive or another technical manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; must be/become proficient in company and customer systems.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through skills, with the ability to manage multiple open items across several customer programs at once.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills; comfortable coordinating with customers, suppliers, and plant teams across distinct locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SAP or a similar ERP system.
• Prior exposure to automotive RFQ, quotation, or program launch processes.
• Familiarity with automotive quality and program milestones such as APQP, PPAP, or IATF 16949.
• Basic understanding of engineering drawings, material specifications, or GD&T.
• Occasional travel to our Celaya, Mexico manufacturing plant may be needed.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus, given regular coordination with our Celaya, Mexico plant.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to sit and stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurances.
• Company and voluntary life insurances.
• Paid time off.
• Matching 401(k) plan.