Engineering Project Manager | Own Automotive Launches from Concept to Production

An established Tier 1 and Tier 2 manufacturer of precision CNC-machined components in Gauteng is looking for an Engineering Project Manager to take ownership of its engineering projects. The business is IATF 16949 certified, supplies leading automotive OEMs and is investing in new manufacturing capacity.

You will own each project end to end: defining what needs to be done, coordinating who does it, managing the deadlines and driving it into production. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will also run the engineering department's daily workload, with a Product Quality Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Draughtsman, Engineering Administrator and Engineering Intern taking direction from you.

• Manage engineering projects from concept and prototype through pre-production to production readiness, owning scope, schedule, milestones and deliverables
  
• Drive APQP and New Product Introduction activities so every part is production-ready before release
  
• Plan and coordinate prototype manufacture with the toolroom, production and engineering teams, and make sure feedback is built in
  
• Run the engineering change process: technical reviews, ECO implementation, updated drawings and clear communication of project impact
  
• Plan, prioritise and allocate the engineering team's daily work across projects, quotations, production support and customer requirements
  
• Act as the technical point of contact with customers and suppliers, and keep production, quality, sales, procurement and R&D aligned
  
• Identify and manage technical, manufacturing and timing risks, escalating early when cost, quality or launch dates are at stake
  
• Keep engineering documentation (procedures, work instructions, packaging specifications) accurate and controlled, and support internal, customer and third-party audits
  

Requirements

• National Diploma or Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering
  
• Project Management qualification
  
• At least 5 years' engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
  
• Proven track record of managing engineering projects from concept through to production
  
• Hands-on experience with APQP and structured New Product Introduction processes
  
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949; automotive component manufacturing experience strongly preferred
  
• Sound understanding of manufacturing and machining processes, engineering drawings and technical specifications
  
• Experience managing engineering changes, prototypes and pre-production builds
  
• Experience coordinating work across departments and managing technical requirements with customers and suppliers
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Project, Visio and AutoCAD; ERP or manufacturing systems experience
  

Benefits

R53 000 - R55 000 per month

• Real ownership of the engineering project lifecycle, with your own team to direct
  
• Exposure to OEM automotive programmes in an IATF 16949 environment
  
• A manufacturer that is investing in new capacity and growth
  

If you thrive on turning engineering designs into efficient, production-ready manufacturing processes, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

If you're an experienced automotive project or NPI engineer ready to own launches from concept to production and lead an engineering team day to day, we'd like to hear from you. Submit your updated CV to be considered.