Technical Program Manager Engineer-Manufacturing Process & Automation

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and highly skilled hands-on Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead factory-side execution across manufacturing process improvement, tooling readiness, automation integration, production issue resolution, and operational stability. This role requires strong shop-floor presence, technical judgment, execution discipline, and the ability to perform effectively under pressure. The TPM must be able to identify issues on site, drive root cause analysis, coordinate cross-functional actions, communicate clearly with customers, and push problems to closure with urgency.

This is not a desk-based coordination role. Candidates with software-only TPM experience or limited factory-floor exposure will not be a fit for this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive technical programs and manufacturing initiatives from issue identification through implementation and closure, including process improvement, line launch, yield improvement, tooling readiness, automation integration, and production recovery.
• Work directly on the shop floor to follow up issues, verify actual conditions, collect data, support trials, and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Support and troubleshoot manufacturing processes involving adhesive dispensing, ultrasonic welding, molds/tooling, fixtures, and automated equipment.
• Partner closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to resolve technical and operational issues affecting output, yield, scrap, downtime, and customer quality.
• Serve as a customer-facing point of contact for program updates, technical issues, production readiness, quality concerns, and escalation management.
• Communicate risks, recovery plans, corrective actions, and execution status clearly to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Lead issue resolution under pressure, especially during customer escalations, line disruptions, launch challenges, and quality incidents.
• Manage program timing, priorities, risks, open issues, owners, and recovery plans. Escalate quickly and clearly when execution slips.
• Drive structured problem solving using data, root cause analysis, containment actions, validation trials, corrective actions, and follow-through.
• Coordinate with China-based engineering teams, suppliers, or technical partners to align engineering changes, process requirements, tooling schedules, and issue resolution.
• Ensure new processes, tooling, fixtures, and automation equipment are transferred into production with clear documentation, training, accountability, and stable execution.
• Track results against plant KPIs including throughput, yield, scrap, cycle time, downtime, launch readiness, and customer-impacting issues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, with meaningful exposure to process engineering, production engineering, NPI, manufacturing program/project management, or factory launch support.
• Hands-on working knowledge of adhesive dispensing, ultrasonic welding, molds/tooling, and manufacturing automation.
• Ability to work on the production floor, investigate issues directly, distinguish symptoms from root causes, and drive closure with urgency.
• Proven ability to communicate with customers, manage escalations professionally, and solve problems effectively under pressure.
• Strong understanding of process control, trial management, corrective actions, equipment debug support, and production ramp support.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and accountability management in a fast-paced factory environment.
• Strong communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in Mandarin and English is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in a Chinese-invested manufacturing company or in a cross-border manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Experience with automated stations, fixtures, sensors, vision systems, poka-yoke, and PLC-controlled equipment is preferred.
• Experience supporting mold qualification, tooling modification follow-up, process validation, customer issue resolution, and supplier technical issue resolution is preferred.

Work Schedule and Expectations

• This is an on-site role based in Dallas, Texas.
• Regular factory-floor presence is required.
• The expected work schedule is approximately 50 hours per week on average.
• During line launches, customer escalations, production disruptions, quality issues, or critical technical issues, the TPM is expected to stay close to the floor and drive resolution until the issue is stabilized.

Working Style

• Hands-on, execution-driven, data-oriented, customer-facing, and comfortable operating under pressure.
• Able to move between engineering detail and plant-level priorities.
• Willing to challenge assumptions, make decisions, communicate clearly, and solve problems where they occur.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Manufacturing: 5 years (Required)
• Process engineering: 5 years (Required)

Language:

• Chinese (Required)

To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Asylee, or Refugee