Engineering - Project Engineer

Business Title:                                              Project Engineer

Reports to:                                                   Engineering Manager

Leadership Scope:                                       Individual Leader

Company Info:               With a heritage of nearly 120 years, we aren’t just a company; we are a brand of trust.  But more than anything, we are a collection of individuals who, together, give Grote Industries a decisive competitive advantage. At Grote, our shared vision is clear – to meet the needs of the customers we serve. We accomplish that mission every day by following a set of core values that makes us who we are.

                                    Innovation has been the hallmark of Grote Industries from the start. From durable, easy to see stop lights to the latest in LED lighting technology, Grote has been leading the way in advanced vehicle system solutions from early in the last century right up to today. With these innovations, Grote has helped millions of people throughout North America and the world benefit from the innovation and design excellence of Grote products.

Position Summary:        The Project Engineer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing automotive engineering projects from concept through production launch. This role ensures projects meet technical requirements, quality standards, cost targets, and delivery timelines while collaborating cross-functionally with design, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.

Position Duties:             - Lead engineering projects related to automotive components, systems, or vehicle programs.

                                    - Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, and technical documentation.

                                    - Coordinate cross-functional teams including design, manufacturing, quality, procurement, and suppliers.

                                    - Ensure compliance with automotive standards (e.g., IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP).

                                    - Monitor project milestones and report progress to stakeholders and leadership.

                                    - Manage engineering change requests (ECR/ECO) and product revisions.

                                    - Conduct risk assessments (FMEA) and implement mitigation strategies.

                                    - Support prototype builds, validation testing, and production launches.

                                    - Collaborate with suppliers to ensure technical specifications and delivery requirements are met.

                                     - Drive continuous improvement initiatives for cost, quality, and performance optimization.

Requirements:               Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field. 3–7 years of experience in automotive engineering or product development preferred. Strong understanding of automotive development processes (APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, PFMEA). Experience with CAD software (e.g., Creo, CATIA). Knowledge of manufacturing processes (stamping, injection molding, assembly). Familiarity with automotive quality standards and regulatory requirements. Strong project management and organizational skills. Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.