The Project Quality Manager Lead - PRS System (PQM) is a program-oriented leadership role responsible for defining, integrating, and executing the quality strategy across the partial to full propulsion system program lifecycle. This position operates at the intersection of Program Management and Quality, ensuring alignment between quality deliverables, program timing, cost, and risk objectives.
The PQM drives cross-functional convergence, ensures disciplined execution of program milestones, and proactively manages risks and dependencies to ensure successful program launches and sustained customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
Program Management & Governance (Enhanced Focus)
Act as the Quality lead within the Program Management structure, ensuring alignment of quality deliverables with overall program timing, cost, and scope objectives
Drive program governance for quality, including milestone readiness, risk reviews, and escalation management
Lead cross-functional program reviews, ensuring quality risks, issues, and actions are clearly defined, tracked, and resolved
Develop and maintain integrated program quality plans aligned with master schedules and key deliverables
Ensure structured risk identification, mitigation planning, and execution tracking throughout the lifecycle
Support decision-making by providing data-driven quality insights and trade-off analysis to program leadership
Quality Planning & Execution
Define and implement the quality plan, ensuring rigorous execution across the full program lifecycle
Lead quality convergence from early concept through six months post-SOP
Oversee development and management of quality targets, forecasts, risks, and customer satisfaction metrics
Ensure effective integration of APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) deliverables at the sub-system to system level
Cross-Functional Leadership
Serve as a key interface between engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and program teams, ensuring alignment and accountability
Drive collaboration across stakeholders including vehicle programs, and industrial teams
Lead structured problem-solving efforts and ensure closure through standardized methodologies
Risk, Issue, and Change Management
Proactively manage program risks and quality issues, including escalation, containment, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
Ensure lessons learned are captured and systematically applied to current and future programs
Manage deviations and ensure compliance with mandatory requirements (IAA)
Program Deliverables & Reporting
Ensure readiness and completeness of program milestone deliverables and acceptance reviews
Prepare and deliver program-level quality reporting, including KPIs, risk status, and action plans
Document design assessments and evaluate customer impact of deviations
Launch & Post-Launch Support
Ensure achievement of quality targets for launches and secondary programs
Lead field early warning systems (FEW) and drive rapid response where required
Support industrialization quality assessments in coordination with plant and industrial quality teams
Required Skills and Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent
Minimum of 5 years of experience demonstrating Project and Program Management relative to Quality roles within the automotive industry
Strong knowledge of program management disciplines (timing, risk management, milestone governance)
Proficiency in quality tools, methodologies, and customer claim management
Program & Leadership Capabilities
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional programs or major workstreams with accountability for delivery
Strong experience in risk management, issue resolution, and escalation handling within complex programs
Proven ability to operate within structured program governance frameworks
Capable of balancing competing priorities across quality, cost, and timing constraints
Strategic & Analytical Thinking
Ability to translate program objectives into actionable quality strategies and execution plans
Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills with a program-level perspective
Teamwork & Communication
Excellent management and communication skills across all organizational levels
Ability to influence without authority and drive alignment across diverse teams