At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative vehicle programs from concept to production in Body, Closures & Chassis.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge automotive company focused on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, comprehensive health benefits, and generous paid time off.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for global travel and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the automotive industry with your engineering expertise.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in automotive engineering with strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 140000 - 168000 £ per year.
As a Senior Staff Technical Program Manager for Body, Closures & Chassis, you will serve as the Program Lead for our Body, Closures & Chassis Systems. You will provide the overarching technical direction and leadership required to guide the vehicle program from concept through production across Body, Closures, and Chassis domains. In this position, you will bridge the gap between high-level program milestones and deep technical execution. You are responsible for balancing performance attributes, cost, quality, and manufacturability while coordinating engineering execution across our internal team and external partners.
In this role, you will:
- Serve as the program and technical lead for the vehicle program across Body (BIW, structures), Closures (doors, mechanisms, glazing), and Chassis (suspension, subframes, tires, wheels, by-wire systems), collaborating with internal engineers and external supplier design teams to ensure cohesive engineering execution.
- Oversee BOM integrity, approve critical build processes, and drive quality and cost engineering initiatives throughout the supply chain for your major assemblies.
- Develop program schedules and partner with suppliers, quality, procurement, service, manufacturing, and engineering teams to drive complex open issues to closure and ensure on-time delivery.
- Identify and communicate program progress, engineering challenges, and technical risks while proactively developing and leading strategic mitigation plans across the organization.
- Lead the root-cause analysis and tracking of critical build and design issues impacting vehicle performance, quality, and production readiness to drive long-term engineering solutions.
- Influence system designs to optimize performance, cost, quality, manufacturability, and serviceability by leading top-level design reviews, DFMEAs, validation programs, and manufacturing mock-builds.
Qualifications
- B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineer, or a related technical discipline.
- 12+ years of deep automotive engineering experience, with focus on Body, Closures or Chassis design and project management.
- Proficiency with advanced automotive engineering tools and methodologies, including CATIA V5/V6, PLM/BOM management, FMEA/FTA, and structured root-cause analysis (8D, Fishbone), and project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, Polarion, Gantt charts, ERP, PLM, ALM).
- Experience designing for attributes such as crash, NVH, reliability, strength, and corrosion.
- A proven track record of managing complex cross-functional projects and delivering components via external design suppliers and contract manufacturers.
- End-to-end New Product Introduction (NPI) experience.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills across all levels, from peers and suppliers to manufacturing and executive management.
- Ability to travel globally as required.
Bonus Qualifications
- Familiarity with hardware/firmware product development and vehicle CAN/Firmware.
Senior Staff Technical Program Manager - Body, Closures & Chassis in Banbury employer: Zoox
At Zoox, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Senior Staff Technical Program Manager, you will not only lead cutting-edge automotive projects but also benefit from a comprehensive compensation package, including competitive salaries, stock options, and extensive health benefits. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous learning opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages professional development, making Zoox an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the automotive industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Staff Technical Program Manager - Body, Closures & Chassis in Banbury
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Zoox.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Zoox love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Zoox and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Staff Technical Program Manager - Body, Closures & Chassis in Banbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Zoox and the Senior Staff Technical Program Manager - Body, Closures & Chassis role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zoox
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Zoox.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Zoox.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Zoox, making you a more appealing candidate.
