Chief Engineer - Customer

Role Summary

Establish and maintain positive business relationships between Engineering and the Customer; ensuring Customer expectations are efficiently met. Promote continual improvement efforts, new program technical needs and solutions, as proposed by the Customer, and/or through proactive internal means.

Key Qualifications/Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field of study required; Master’s Degree preferred
Experience: Minimum 10 years of related experience required
Supervisory Experience: Minimum 5 years of leadership experience required
Licenses/Certifications: None

Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Familiar with automotive quality requirements (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, etc.)
• Capability to discuss product and production technical aspects with the customer and represent Cosma in a positive manner, even in difficult situations
• Process and manufacturing knowledge related to forming, casting, joining, and quality
• Experience in project management (technical and budgetary)
• Proven customer-facing focus, communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills
• Fundamental understanding of vehicle needs affecting product specifications including safety, durability, and NVH
• Experience with component validation and prototyping
• Experience in product development including PLM, GD&T, VA/VE, and FMEA

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the organization, preparation, and execution of all technical customer interface.
• Lead the project through the acquisition phase via efficient communication and coordination with all parties (internal and external) for on-time deliverables according to expectation.
• Serve as liaison between the customer and Engineering for all technical questions related to products and manufacturing processes.
• Promote Cosma technical capability, both in product and execution.
• Understand and communicate customer requirements for CAD systems and release standards.
• Provide insight to align Customer and Cosma R&D activities.
• Support Sales & Business Development teams with ED&T cost negotiation.
• Responsible to analyze strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities related to customer expectations.
• Oversee customer design proposals, specifications and manuals, to align Divisional manufacturing process and product quality requirements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Work with the Customer and Divisions to strategize efforts to effectively meet the business plan (GSD).
• Focus point for technical issues escalation
• Ensure a continuous cycle of improvement by liaising between the customer and Engineering regarding feedback and existing challenges. In the absence of customer feedback, drive the Engineering teams to proactively seek increasingly efficient solutions.
• Stay abreast of Customer strategy; collaborate with Cosma Sales & Business Development teams to identify future business opportunities for Cosma.
• Responsible to ensure strong Engineering and Divisional support to manage customer expectations.
• Responsible for the product specification (ESOW) and RFQ documents regarding completeness and quality.
• Understand and communicate the Customer’s engineering change management process.
• Support VA/VE activities by identifying potential areas of focus to internal and external Customers.
• Act with honesty and integrity and make ethical business choices in accordance with Magna’s Compliance Policies and Procedures.

Additional Information

Subject to business needs, approximately 40-50% of travel may be required.

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