Program Engineering Manager

Katayama American Co - Shelbyville, KY

Full-time - Mid Level

Shelbyville, KY

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Program Engineering Manager (PEM) at Katayama Manufacturing Limited (KML) is responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of complex development programs. This role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and budget. The PEM will lead product development, manage risks, and ensure compliance with design standards while maintaining strong customer relations and supporting the professional development of the program team.

Responsibilities

• Manage development programs for KML in the Americas and support global development programs as needed.
• Build the internal development schedule to align with customer master schedules and industrialization/purchasing constraints.
• Report monthly on program KPIs, including risks and opportunities with corresponding action plans.
• Lead the team in analyzing requirements and developing program compliance matrix.
• Conduct functional analysis, DFMEA, and support PFMEA.
• Track all program issues and manage changes through the KML change control process.
• Ensure robust design compliance with product/process design standards.
• Manage cross-functional reviews and ensure design feasibility aligns with KML standards.
• Support tool specifications in collaboration with manufacturing/tool engineering and manage tool design release.
• Define and receive approval from manufacturing engineering/operations to ensure product compliance with KML production standards.
• Develop and deliver robust tools/CAPEX to operations with optimized cycle time and quality levels.
• Manage the release of documentation for the plant with support from the pre-production build team.
• Lead the program team in defining and guaranteeing successful Design Validation Plans (DVP).
• Support development of process capability (CPK) and ensure compliance with budget goals.
• Lead negotiations with customers to achieve profitability objectives and represent KML in customer relations.
• Ensure good communication within the extended program team and support the professional development of team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering or significant professional experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in automotive development, preferably in metal forming.
• Program management experience preferred.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Strong administrative/managerial skills.
• Strong understanding of financial principles.
• Fluent in English; customer’s language strongly preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.