Inside the Role

Inside the Role

This position is central to our Powertrain Engineering organization (TT/XN) and offers a unique opportunity to provide real world leadership that steers our future powertrain product releases. As the Engineering Program Management Manager, reporting to Matt Baird (TT/XNS), you’ll help shape development strategy, secure future project approvals, and guide the organization through all project quality gates. Within engineering, you’ll collaboratively develop the next-generation powertrains—ensuring that we continue to release high performing robust products on time and within budget. You’ll lead a skilled team within a space where technical challenges and organizational objectives intersect. As these topics collide, you’ll be a key voice helping move the organization forward together to attain the next key project milestones. You will act as a strategic connection between global R&D, Lifecycle management, funding management teams, and the vehicle partners at DTNA. This role is ideal for a forward-thinking leader who thrives in a global, cross-functional environment. This leader must be able to bring structure to complexity, be process oriented, attain diplomatic accountability, bring insights to planning, and supply energy to all the teams shaping powertrain development.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

What You Drive at DTNA

• Deliver project clarity and strategic insight by serving as a trusted advisor to powertrain engineering leaders.  Ensures data-driven decisions, disciplined cost control and proactive budget management across the Engineering organization.

• Partner closely with powertrain R&D leadership to translate complex technical goals into actionable strategies, offering objective recommendations and surfacing early risks and opportunities. 

• Besides being an active influencer of leaders locally, regionally, and globally; you will lead a staff of approximately 6 FTE.  As a people leader, you are responsible to shape  the development of your team and each individual.

• Own the full cycle of R&D activities – from multi-year project planning and forecasting to real-time performance tracking of projects.

• Lead program management reporting activities (quality gates, weekly SteerCo, month-end, year-end, etc.), maintaining accuracy, transparency and alignment with corporate guidelines.

• Manage and monitor the full R&D project portfolio, leveraging KPIs and analysis to evaluate progress, support prioritization of projects and optimize resource allocation.

• Drive continuous improvement and automation in program management processes – streamlining workflows and increasing responsiveness within the engineering organization.

• Conduct forward looking capacity and resource analysis that guide proactive bottle neck identification and attainment of milestones (QG milestones).

• Help ensure financial compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

• Act as a central connector across critical functions – Project Controlling, Product Planning, FPL project teams, Advanced Engineering, Program Management, Human Resources, and other global and local teams – to ensure seamless XN alignment.

• Influence global decision-making by championing Detroit’s Engineering priorities – ensuring regional priorities are reflected in key decisions.  While influencing, you will lead with a win-win negotiating style.

 

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or related Engineering field.

• Minimum of 5 years of direct experience in business—preferably within an engineering or R&D environment.

• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.

• Experience navigating complex global organizational networks, with the ability to engage and influence key stakeholders across regions and functions.

• Skilled negotiator who can align executives, managers, and engineers around decisions that drive progress and support shared business goals.

• Compliance-minded leader with a strong track record of upholding operational standards across the organization.

• Knowledge of corporate reporting and tracking standards (PRISMA, Quality Gates, etc.).

• Advanced proficiency in planning tools.

• Comfortable switching between detailed engineering analysis and high-level executive reporting, tailoring messaging to diverse audiences.  Position spans messaging from entry level engineer (L7) to a business unit executive (E1).

• Strategic thinker with a long-term mindset—able to position for future success and anticipate risks before they materialize.

• Continuous improvement champion, committed to elevating people, processes, and outcomes.

• Willingness to travel occasionally, both regionally and internationally, as part of a global role.

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Education: Master in Business Administration, Program Management Certifications/Degrees.

• German Language Proficiency

• Global Experience

• Direct program management work history.

• Tools and Software Skills that enable efficiency for this position.

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-

Detroit, MI US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

• This position is not open for Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application
• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.