Hardware Project Manager

Visteon is a global automotive technology leader, advancing mobility through innovative technology solutions that enable a software-defined future. The company’s state-of-the-art product portfolio merges digital cockpit innovations, advanced displays, AI-enhanced software solutions, and integrated EV architecture solutions. With expertise spanning passenger vehicles, commercial transportation, and two-wheelers, Visteon partners with global automakers to create safer, cleaner, and more connected journeys. Founded in 2000, the company employs 10,000 employees in 18 countries around the globe. In 2024, Visteon recorded annual sales of approximately $3.87 billion and secured $6.1 billion in new business. To know more about us, visit visteon.com.

Mission of the Role

Seasoned Project Manager with a strong focus on management projects and it’s respective teams, responsible for driving complex hardware projects through the entire program lifecycle. This role shall ensure a successful execution, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction by orchestrating cross-functional collaboration and maintaining alignment with business objectives.

The position partners with the broader team to exceed customer expectations in cost, quality, and delivery while safeguarding financial targets.

Act as the Hardware Project Manager and applying a program management mindset to coordinate with Hardware milestones, in alignment with the Hardware Center of Competency. The primary responsibility is to ensure the achievement of project objectives within the hardware domain and serve as the main interface between the Customer, the Program Management Team and the Hardware Center of Competency.

Key Objectives of this Role

1. Timing & Strategy: Develop and manage project-level timing plans and strategies to meet Visteon and customer milestones, ensuring alignment across all stakeholders.
2. Process Compliance: Guarantee adherence to established processes, including gate deliverables and program governance requirements.
3. Risk, Quality & Escalation Management: Proactively manage risks, defects, and quality indicators, escalating issues promptly and driving resolution to maintain project health.
4.  Budget & Resource Planning: Control hardware budgets and plan staffing needs to support successful project execution.
5. Project Coordination: Lead and coordinate one or more hardware projects, managing dependencies and collaborating with peers and stakeholders for seamless delivery.
6. Milestone Management: Own customer and Visteon hardware milestones and deliverables, ensuring alignment with program goals through close coordination with Program Leads and other project managers.
7. Cost & Sourcing Management: Manage costed BOM and sourcing activities in collaboration with Program Buyers for hardware components.
8. Supplier & Component Readiness: Partner with the Configuration & Integration Project Manager to secure master samples from suppliers and ensure timely qualification (PPAP), removing roadblocks to meet customer milestones.

Key Accountabilities

1. Product Development – Hardware Execution & Monitoring

• Lead and drive hardware project execution, ensuring progress tracking and timely delivery of internal and external milestones.
• Monitor cost, quality, and process compliance while optimizing resources and budget.
• Collaborate closely with HW Center of Competency Leaders, and program teams to enable effective decision-making and structured problem-solving.
• Trigger preventive actions at the project level to mitigate risks and maintain program health.
• Own the hardware project budget, monitor execution, and manage staffing needs.
• Align milestones with other project managers to achieve overall program objectives and support cross-functional activities.

2. Customer Focus

• Act as the primary customer interface for all hardware-related topics.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and cross-functional stakeholders through clear, impactful communication.

3. Change Management

• Assess and communicate the impact of changes on timelines, resources, and costs.
• Support change management processes and execute program changes as required.

4. Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks to minimize impact on timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Manage internal and external escalations promptly and effectively.

5. Innovation & Technology Adoption

• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, tools, and industry trends to enhance project management efficiency and effectiveness.

Specific responsibilities for the Hardware Project Manager

1. Project Leadership & Execution

• Drive tasks and deliverables according to the established development system and maturity steps.
• Develop and maintain implementation plans aligned with program milestones.

2. Financial & Resource Management

• Monitor and control hardware budgets to meet financial targets.
• Update hardware activity forecasts in resource management tools.

3. Risk & Issue Management

• Proactively identify risks, maintain zero overdue risk tickets, and implement mitigation plans.
• Support and review problem-solving activities (e.g., 8D responses).
• Track and resolve engineering and manufacturing open issues.

4. Process & Tools

• Follow project management processes and ensure accurate updates in planning tools (e.g., JIRA).
• Execute Epics defined by the Program Manager and cascade activities to stakeholders.

Key Performance Indicators

1. Schedule Adherence

• Ensure on-time delivery of all hardware-related milestones and program commitments.
• Drive alignment with overall program timing and proactively manage dependencies.

2. Budget Compliance

• Deliver hardware project objectives within the approved financial targets.
• Monitor and control costs to prevent overruns and support profitability goals.

3. Risk Management

• Identify and document risks early in the project lifecycle.
• Maintain zero overdue risk tickets and implement timely mitigation plans.
• Escalate critical risks promptly and lead the development of actionable recovery strategies.

4. Customer Satisfaction

• Act as the primary interface for hardware-related customer concerns.
• Resolve escalations effectively and maintain strong customer relationships.

5. Quality Assurance

• Ensure all hardware deliverables meet defined quality standards and compliance requirements.
• Support ASPICE and internal process adherence through regular self-assessments.

6. Continuous Improvement & Capability Development

• Complete project management self-assessments and drive improvement actions.
• Maintain and enhance skills through ongoing training and competency evaluations.

Key Year One Deliverables:

Establish Independent Risk Management: Demonstrate the ability to proactively identify potential issues and implement effective risk mitigation strategies without reliance on escalation.

Execute Change Management with Excellence: Ensure all scope changes are implemented with high quality standards while maintaining profitability and alignment with program objectives.

Master Timing Plan Leadership: Develop a deep understanding of detailed timing plans, actively manage the critical path, and anticipate downstream impacts to keep the project on track.

Qualification, Experience and Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical preferred) or equivalent technical background.

Professional Experience

• Extensive experience in program and project management, with a minimum of six years in the automotive industry.
• Proven track record of leading large, cross-functional development teams across multiple countries.
• Solid understanding of automotive development and production processes, with exposure to hardware design and testing.

Project Management Expertise

• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies (PRINCE2, PMP certification preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to plan, execute, and monitor complex projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Effective leadership with entrepreneurial mindset and assertiveness.
• High degree of autonomy, accountability, and decision-making capability.
• Exceptional communication skills, customer orientation, and collaborative team spirit.
• Analytical and structured approach to problem-solving.

Tools & Systems

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), MS Project, and JIRA.

Language Skills

• Fluent in English (additional languages are a plus).

Key Leadership Behaviors

Lead from the Front: Take ownership and set the standard for accountability, decisiveness, and proactive problem-solving throughout the project lifecycle.

Lead by Example and Take Action: Demonstrate integrity and commitment through visible actions, ensuring decisions translate into tangible progress and results.

Build Strong Teams: Foster collaboration, trust, and empowerment within cross-functional and geographically distributed teams to achieve shared objectives.

Inspire Change: Drive adaptability and continuous improvement by championing innovative solutions and guiding teams through transformation with clarity and confidence.

Apply Critical Thinking: Analyze complex situations, anticipate challenges, and make data-driven decisions that balance risk, quality, and strategic priorities.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to Customer Project Manager
• No direct reports

In the fast lane of technology: At Visteon, we’re redefining how the world connects through its vehicles. Our innovations transform the driving experience for millions, powered by a high-performance culture that challenges the status quo and sparks new possibilities—in careers and communities. Join us and help shape the future.