Project Engineer – Mechanical (Powertrain Machining & Assembly)

Location: Southfield, MI
Job Type: Full-Time Contract with the opportunity to go Direct
Duration: Approximately 6 Months (Opportunity for Extension)
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 40 Hours/Week | Overtime May Be Required

About the Opportunity

GableTek is seeking an experienced Project Engineer – Mechanical to support a leading automotive automation company in Southfield, Michigan. This position focuses on Powertrain Machining and Assembly projects and is responsible for leading engineering activities from proposal through customer buyoff.

This is an excellent opportunity for a mechanical engineer with strong automotive automation experience who enjoys managing complex engineering projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, and delivering world-class manufacturing systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering projects from concept through final customer acceptance.
• Serve as the primary technical interface between the customer, engineering teams, suppliers, and subcontractors.
• Review customer specifications, engineering standards, and project requirements.
• Coordinate system engineering activities to ensure consistent technical solutions.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and engineering deliverables.
• Monitor project scope, costs, timing, and resource allocation.
• Manage engineering changes, including technical solutions, implementation strategy, timing, and cost impacts.
• Conduct project risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support supplier selection, RFQ development, and supplier technical reviews.
• Lead engineering handoff meetings and participate in customer, supplier, and internal project reviews.
• Perform root cause analysis and resolve engineering issues.
• Track project KPIs, cost-to-complete (CTC), open issues, and engineering performance.
• Develop risk assessments and method statements for equipment installation.
• Capture and document lessons learned for continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related engineering discipline (Master's preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the automotive automation industry.
• Experience with Powertrain Machining and/or Assembly systems is required.
• Strong project engineering and project management experience.
• Excellent customer communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engineering activities simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel as project requirements dictate.

Required Technical Skills

• Powertrain Machining & Assembly
• Mechanical Design of Automated Equipment
• Project Planning & Execution
• Change Management
• Clamping Strategy
• Cost Estimation
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Design to Installation & Commissioning
• Mechanical Systems Design
• Industrial Equipment & Machinery
• Scope, Budget & Schedule Management
• Risk Assessment & Safety Standards
• Supplier Management
• Customer Technical Support
• Engineering Change Management
• Process Engineering
• Layout Design
• Conveyor & Material Handling Systems
• Root Cause Analysis
• Value Engineering & Design-to-Cost

Preferred Experience

• Automotive manufacturing automation
• Industrial machinery and automated assembly systems
• Conveyor and transportation systems
• Discrete event simulation
• Ergonomic evaluations
• Production planning and traceability systems
• Reuse/retooling assessments
• Commissioning and installation support