Inside the Role
Inside the Role
The Project and Program Management Generalist III is the operating engine of Vehicle Level Engineering (VLE): half department enabler, half strategic partner to the Head of VLE.
VLE is the integrative engineering organization that defines and delivers vehicle solutions meeting customer expectations, business objectives, and technical requirements.
Our mission is to be Partners in Progress through Clarity, Consistency, and Collaboration. VLE brings together five disciplines to align stakeholders, drive innovation, and enable sound decisions across the product development lifecycle. Through disciplined, transparent processes and a vehicle-centric approach, we deliver high-quality products for those who keep the world moving.
The department has about 200 employees across two locations in the U.S. and Mexico.
VLE organization · Head of VLE, Project and Program Management Generalist III, 5 departments
Each of the five departments is led by a department head reporting to the Head of VLE. The Project and Program Management Generalist III works alongside the Head of VLE and serves all five.
The Project and Program Management Generalist III multiplies the effectiveness of the VLE leadership team and the Head of VLE. The role is split evenly between two responsibilities.
Half: 50%
Focus: Department enablement
• Give the five VLE departments the shared data, rhythm, and tools to run well
• Primary customers: Five department heads and their teams
• Key outputs: Department dashboard, metrics, resource plan, operating cadence, VLE Wiki
Half: 50%
Focus: Strategic partner to the Head of VLE
• Keep the Head of VLE ahead of strategic priorities and critical deliverables
• Primary customers: Head of VLE
• Key outputs: Meeting preparation, executive materials, priority tracking, candid counsel
This is not an administrative assistant role. It is a leadership development position for someone who wants to see how a global engineering organization is run from the inside.
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
Department Enablement — 50%
You give all five departments one shared view of how VLE is performing and where it is headed.
- Department dashboard: Build and maintain the VLE dashboard covering key metrics, KPIs, deliverable status, and open actions, using Claude Code to automate data gathering and refresh.
- Resource planning: Own the department resource and capacity plan, including headcount, allocation to programs, and gaps, with automated updates where possible.
- Operating rhythm: Coordinate operational planning, including Plan 1 reviews and leadership staff meeting agendas and facilitation.
- Action tracking: Track action items across the VLE leadership team and drive them to closure.
- VLE Wiki: Own the VLE Wiki as the single source of truth for processes, decisions, and department knowledge.
- Strategic initiatives: Lead one or more department-wide initiatives from plan and targets through execution and tracking.
- Engagement and culture: Lead the Culture Team, champion employee survey reviews, and hold the organization accountable for follow-up actions.
- Events: Organize and facilitate strategy workshops, town halls, and department events across U.S. and Mexico sites.
Strategic Partner to the Head of VLE — 50%
You keep the Head of VLE prepared, focused, and ahead of what matters most.
- Strategic priorities: Maintain a live view of the Head of VLE's top priorities and flag risks, conflicts, and slipping commitments early.
- Meeting preparation: Prepare briefings, pre-reads, and talking points for critical meetings with executives, partners, and global stakeholders.
- Executive deliverables: Draft and refine executive presentations, memos, and white papers that are clear, visual, and tailored to the audience.
- Global responsibilities: Support the Head of VLE's global systems engineering and global chief engineer responsibilities, including coordination with Daimler Truck teams in Germany and other regions.
- Information gathering: Research topics, synthesize inputs from across DTNA and Daimler Truck, and turn them into decision-ready summaries.
- Sounding board: Offer candid, independent perspective on decisions, communications, and organizational questions.
- Representation: Represent the department in committees and initiatives, and lead projects independently on behalf of the Head of VLE.
- Network: Build and broaden cooperation with other areas across DTNA and Daimler Truck.
AI-Enabled Operations with Claude Code
You will use Claude Code daily to automate routine operations and free time for higher-value work. No software development background is required, but you must be eager to learn and adopt AI tools.
- Dashboard maintenance: Automate data pulls, metric calculations, and dashboard refreshes.
- Information gathering: Search, summarize, and synthesize content from internal sources and meeting records.
- VLE Wiki: Draft, update, and organize wiki pages so department knowledge stays current and easy to find.
- Continuous improvement: Spot repetitive tasks across the five departments and turn them into repeatable, automated workflows.
Knowledge You Should Bring
- Bachelor's degree, with 5+ years of related experience preferred
- Exceptional written and verbal communication across digital tools and platforms
- Proficiency in executive presentations (mostly PowerPoint) that are clear, visual, and audience-specific
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong, data-driven analytical skills
- Willingness to adopt AI tools, including Claude Code, in daily work
- Project management experience and the ability to work independently
- Fast, self-driven learning across new and varied topics
- Ability to resolve issues quickly across organizational boundaries and to work with people at all levels
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
- Some travel, and schedule flexibility for early and late calls with Germany
Exceptional Candidates Might Have
- Hands-on experience with AI assistants or automation (Claude Code, scripting, low-code tools)
- Experience with Power BI or Tableau
- Experience with project management tools (CPlace, MS Project, Smartsheet)
- Familiarity with engineering processes, systems engineering, or product development
- Experience as a group leader, supervisor, or project lead
- Experience with Lean, Agile Scrum, or Design Thinking methods
- Working knowledge of Spanish
If you are creative, passionate about solving hard problems, and want to make a difference for those who keep the world moving, we want to hear from you.
Where We Work
This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-
Portland, OR 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.