Project Manager, Automotive Launch

Job Title: Project Manager - Automotive Launch

Business Unit: TIS Division

Location: Rochester Hills, MI | Travel: Up to 20%

Molex is looking for a results-driven, automotive launch-focused Project Manager to join our Transportation Innovative Solutions (TIS) division. In this role, you will lead global, cross-functional teams to design, validate, and implement automotive products into world-class manufacturing processes.

You will own end-to-end programs, from New Product Initiation (NPI) through Start of Production (SOP), ensuring on-time launches, cost performance, and customer satisfaction. Your projects may include connectors, terminals, and harnesses, with manufacturing sites primarily in the Americas and Asia.

As the primary program leader, you will drive APQP milestones, launch readiness, and customer program reviews, while owning financial performance, including BOM costs and industrialization investments. You will collaborate across various capability teams to deliver results that elevate Molex and our customers.

The ideal candidate combines solid project management experience in technical businesses with hands-on success leading automotive product launches within OEM, Tier 1, or Tier 2 organizations.

This is a full-time, onsite individual contributor role in Rochester Hills, MI, requiring collaboration with global teams across multiple time zones, with international travel up to 20%.

At Molex, we operate with Principle Based Management (PBM), a framework that empowers employees to make principled decisions, take ownership, and drive results while fostering trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

In the TIS division at Molex (a Koch Company), this means you'll work on strategic automotive programs, collaborate with global teams, and contribute directly to customer success. We value innovative thinking, accountability, and diverse perspectives, giving you the freedom to make an impact from day one.

• Lead end-to-end execution of automotive launch programs from NPI through SOP, ensuring on-time delivery aligned with customer production schedules.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and finance to achieve program scope, timing, cost, and quality objectives.
• Own program financial performance, including achieving target Bill of Materials (BOM) cost, managing tooling and capital investments, and protecting margin objectives.
• Lead APQP milestones, launch readiness reviews, and PPAP submissions to ensure successful customer approval and production readiness.
• Serve as the primary customer-facing program leader, conducting program reviews, managing escalations, and driving recovery plans when required.
• Identify program risks early and lead structured problem-solving efforts (8D, 5-Whys, Ishikawa) to drive corrective actions to closure.
• Provide executive-level communication on program status, financial performance, risks, and mitigation plans to internal and external stakeholders.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, or related technical field
• 3+ years' work experience in product development, business, engineering, supply chain, quality or manufacturing supporting New Product Development projects and launches
• Ability to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship
• Willing and able to travel internationally up to 20%, with a valid passport

• Proven experience leading multiple concurrent automotive launch programs and achieving financial, quality, and timing targets
• Experience with automotive electro-mechanical components (connectors, terminals, harnesses)
• Experience working in OEM, Tier 1, or Tier 2 automotive environments
• Hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, and launch readiness activities
• Strong working knowledge of Automotive Product Development, Quality Management Systems, and structured problem-solving tools
• PMP Certification or other recognized project management certification
• MBA or a master's degree in engineering or industrial engineering

As a Koch company, Molex is a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect components, driving innovation in electronics and supporting industries from automotive to health care and consumer to data communications. The thousands of innovators who work for Molex have made us a global electronics leader. Our experienced people, groundbreaking products and leading-edge technologies help us deliver a wider array of solutions to more markets than ever before.