Project Manager I

Position Purpose:

Responsible for leading project management and product development activities for slider systems, including coordination of cross-functional efforts, development of practical product solutions, ownership of key technical product information, and support of customer requirements, issue resolution, and business opportunities.

Essential Functions:

1. Lead assigned slider programs, new product initiatives, design changes, and customer opportunities by developing and managing project plans, deliverables, work activities, milestones, and risk mitigation plans necessary to support customer requirements, business objectives, and launch timing.
2. Coordinate with engineering, sales, manufacturing engineering, quality, purchasing, suppliers, production facilities, customers, and other stakeholders to establish priorities, schedules, metrics, resources, launch readiness, and cross-functional alignment for slider-related projects.
3. Support business development and customer-facing technical activities by understanding application requirements, evaluating needs, resolving customer issues, and recommending practical slider product solutions aligned with customer and business objectives.
4. Develop, document, and release slider systems, suspension interfaces, and component designs, including 3D models, assembly layouts, drawings, specifications, and related product data; coordinate engineering release activities and document verification to ensure released designs meet fit, form, function, durability, manufacturability, application, quality, cost, and timing requirements.
5. Own and maintain the engineering product matrix for the slider product lines, ensuring product offerings, technical requirements, approved configurations, and related guidance remain accurate, current, and aligned with customer and business needs.
6. Support prototype construction, R&D testing, OE and field trials, and validation activities by coordinating with test engineering, FEA resources, production facilities, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure new products, design changes, and process changes are appropriately specified, analyzed, validated, documented, and ready for launch.
7. Communicate design intent and critical design requirements through the AQP process; develop and manage design FMEAs, specify and approve PPAP requirements, and review and approve product deviations as assigned.
8. Develop the technical competence of co-ops and product engineers assigned to slider project tasks and assist in the creation and continuous improvement of best practices for slider product engineering.
9. Adhere to, support enforcement of, and recommend revisions to applicable ISO, quality system, and operating procedures as required to maintain compliance, improve process effectiveness, and support product development activities.
10. Create and present material for managers, customers, suppliers, plants, business unit leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders regarding project status, technical risks, design issues, customer requirements, timing concerns, launch readiness, and support needs.

Education and Training

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or similar discipline.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in a manufacturing, product engineering, program management, or related technical business environment required.
• Strong fundamental knowledge of mechanical design, structural components, product interfaces, and practical manufacturability considerations required.
• Solid modeling experience using 3D modeling software required; PTC Creo preferred.
• Strong drafting skills, including knowledge of dimensioning and tolerance practices per ANSI Y14.5 required.
• Demonstrated experience managing technical projects, deliverables, schedules, priorities, risks, and cross-functional action items required.
• Experience with engineering release processes, drawing/specification control, product data management, and document verification preferred.
• Knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes related to welding, stamping, forming, machining, casting, forging, fasteners, and related fabrication methods preferred.
• Familiarity with AQP, design FMEA, PPAP, product deviations, quality systems, or ISO-related procedures preferred.
• Proficiency with standard Windows-based business applications required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required, including the ability to communicate technical information to customers, suppliers, production facilities, sales, engineering, and business leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships across engineering, sales, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders.

Physical Demands

• Frequent sitting and computer work for extended periods of time.
• Occasional lifting or handling of lightweight parts, drawings, test materials, or equipment.
• Occasional travel as required to suppliers, customers, production facilities, field trial locations, or other business locations.
• Ability to safely access and observe products, equipment, prototypes, and manufacturing or test activities as needed.

Environmental Conditions

• Primarily office environment with regular computer and desk-based work.
• Occasional exposure to R&D, prototype, test lab, manufacturing, warehouse, supplier, customer, or field trial environments.
• Required use of appropriate personal protective equipment when entering designated manufacturing, test, or customer environments.

Behavioral Traits

• Leadership, initiative, and ownership mindset.
• Strong organizational discipline with the ability to prioritize work, manage competing assignments, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Detail-oriented, analytical, and mechanically minded with sound engineering judgment.
• Collaborative and customer-focused, with the ability to work effectively across engineering, sales, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and customers.
• Proactive problem solver with the ability to learn quickly, seek clarification, communicate risks, and drive issues to resolution.

*This is not a comprehensive list of duties.  Duties may change without notice in management’s sole discretion.  Hendrickson is an at-will employer, each employee is free to resign at any time, just as Hendrickson is free to terminate employment at any time without cause or notice.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.