Project Engineer
Project Management Specialist – Battery Manufacturing & New Model Launch
Location: Liberty, North Carolina (TBMNC)
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Travel: Up to 10% (domestic and potentially international)
Overtime: Ability to work weekends, holidays, and plant shutdowns as needed (approximately 25%)
Interview Process: One 60-minute MS Teams interview using the STAR format
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Project Management Specialist to support battery manufacturing projects and new model launch activities. This role will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage project milestones and KPIs, support construction and pre-production trials, and ensure successful execution of project plans through start of production.
The ideal candidate will have experience managing capital investment projects, developing detailed schedules, reporting performance metrics to senior leadership, and coordinating activities across engineering, construction, purchasing, and manufacturing teams.
Key Responsibilities
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Project Planning & KPI Reporting: Define, track, visualize, and report project KPIs and milestones using the Battery Master Operation Plan (OP). Develop standardized reporting structures and provide data-driven recommendations to senior and executive leadership.
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New Model Launch Coordination: Coordinate launch activities across multiple divisions, domestic and international teams, and partner organizations throughout the vehicle development lifecycle through start of production.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a primary coordination point for engineering, project management, construction management, purchasing, and Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC).
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Project Schedule Management: Create and maintain detailed project schedules, monitor milestone achievement, identify risks, and coordinate corrective actions to maintain project timelines.
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Capital Project Management: Support projects involving capital investments greater than $500,000, ensuring alignment with project objectives, schedules, and business priorities.
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Obeya Leadership: Lead project and trial Obeya meetings to review project status, identify issues, align stakeholders, and drive timely decision-making.
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Construction Coordination: Support building preparation milestones, installation kickoffs, construction Obeyas, and coordination with facilities project teams.
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Pre-Production Trial Support: Coordinate trial parts orders, develop trial schedules, establish phase-specific KPIs, and monitor readiness for upcoming production milestones.
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Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement: Identify issues affecting project or launch execution, lead cross-functional countermeasures, document lessons learned, and implement actions to prevent recurrence.
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Standardization & Documentation: Contribute to department standards, update Master OP processes, develop detailed work instructions, and incorporate feedback into future project planning.
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Additional Project Support: Assist with budgets, asset management, plant shutdowns, and other cross-functional initiatives as required.
Required Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree or higher, or at least five years of equivalent professional experience in a project-related role.
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Five or more years of professional experience in project management, project coordination, or a related discipline.
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Experience supporting or managing capital investment projects exceeding $500,000.
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Demonstrated experience defining, managing, visualizing, and reporting KPIs and project milestones.
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Experience presenting project performance and data-driven recommendations to senior or executive leadership.
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Proven ability to create, maintain, and manage detailed project schedules and milestone plans.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
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Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
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Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and conflicting deadlines in a complex corporate environment.
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Willingness to travel domestically and potentially internationally up to 10%.
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Flexibility to support weekends, holidays, and scheduled plant shutdowns, including July and December, as project requirements dictate.
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Ability to participate in evening meetings with Japan-based teams as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience with Toyota Supplier Management.
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Battery manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, or new model launch experience.
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Experience with 3 Pillar management or execution.
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Understanding of gated project management processes or BRAD milestones.
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Experience applying Toyota Business Practices (TBP) problem-solving methodology.
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Familiarity with Toyota’s planning processes, product specifications, and product development lifecycle.
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Experience coordinating construction, equipment installation, and pre-production trial activities.
Work Environment & Expectations
This position requires frequent collaboration with cross-functional teams across multiple departments and organizations. Candidates must be comfortable leading meetings, communicating with stakeholders at various organizational levels, analyzing project performance, and proactively addressing issues that could affect project milestones.
Responsibilities may evolve based on project requirements and organizational priorities.
Interview Process
One 60-minute interview conducted via Microsoft Teams. Candidates should be prepared to answer behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and provide examples of project execution, KPI reporting, milestone management, stakeholder coordination, and problem-solving.
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When you work with blueStone, you’ll discover opportunities you might not find anywhere else. We connect you with rewarding roles at leading companies, offering competitive pay and comprehensive benefits that support both your career and your future. Our goal is to open doors, guide your journey, and help you take the next step toward achieving your professional goals.