Technical Program Manager, Manufacturing Change Management

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Technical Program Manager (TPM) for Manufacturing Change Management leads the plant-wide technical program for assessing, planning, executing, and verifying all product and process changes in an automotive manufacturing environment. This leader drives cross-functional alignment, ensures rigorous technical validation, minimizes production risk, and manages system-level integration impacts associated with engineering changes (ECR/ECN), cost reductions, quality improvements, and new program updates. 

The TPM owns timelines, risk management, trial readiness, cross-functional program reviews, and communication, ensuring all changes launch flawlessly without disrupting safety, quality, delivery, cost, or customer commitments. 

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

Program Leadership & Governance

• Own the end-to-end Technical Change Program for the plant, including roadmap creation and readiness tracking. 

• Lead cross-functional Change Control Board (CCB/CRB) and ensure programs follow structured gates and technical criteria. 

• Manage the change portfolio, prioritize changes, escalate risks, and ensure alignment with program objectives and launch schedules. 

Technical Integration & Impact Assessment

• Evaluate proposed changes for system-level impacts across: 

  • Product engineering and design interfaces 

  • Manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, and automation 

  • Materials, logistics, supplier readiness 

  • Service, warranty, and spare parts 

  • Backwards/forwards compatibility requirements 

  • Safety, regulatory, and compliance considerations 

• Ensure FMEA updates, Control Plan revisions, and verification/validation steps are defined and executed. 

Trial Planning & Execution

• Define trial scope, success criteria, data needs, and resource requirements. 

• Ensure readiness for trials: parts availability, fixtures, equipment capability, quality monitoring, data capture. 

• Lead on-floor execution, issue tracking, problem solving, and go/no-go decisions. 

• Drive post-trial analysis, containment plans, and corrective actions. 

Cross-Functional Leadership & Communication

• Serve as the primary integration point between Design Engineering, Launch, Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Suppliers. 

• Provide transparent change status reporting, dashboards, and communication to plant leadership and corporate engineering. 

Documentation & Standards

• Ensure all changes meet documentation requirements including Work Instructions, Standardized Work, PFMEA, Process Flow, and Control Plans. 

• Drive disciplined revision control, digital traceability, and release-to-production processes. 

Risk Management & Issue Resolution

• Maintain program risk registers for change activity with mitigation strategies and timing. 

• Lead cross-functional problem-solving using structured methodologies (8D, A3, DMAIC). 

• Ensure robust contingency planning to protect safety, quality, and throughput during implementation. 

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related STEM field. 

• 10+ years of experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing. 

• Proven experience in technical program management, launch management, or engineering change control. 

• Strong understanding of systems engineering, manufacturing processes, and product–process integration. 

• Fluency with ECN/ECR systems and manufacturing documentation control. 

• Excellent program management, communication, and stakeholder leadership skills. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in automotive assembly (body, general assembly, seats). 

• Expertise with PLM systems including Teamcenter, ENOVIA, or Windchill (preferred). 

• Lean, Six Sigma, PMP, or Agile certifications. 

• Prior experience managing commissioning and capability validation of equipment or tooling changes. 

• Strong analytical skillset (Power BI, Minitab, SQL, or advanced Excel). 

Core Competencies

• System-level thinking 

• Technical leadership and decision-making 

• Cross-functional influence 

• Structured problem solving 

• Risk-based prioritization 

• Attention to detail 

• Excellent communication and escalation discipline 

Success Metrics (First 12 Months)

• Fully established Technical Change Program with clear gates and KPIs. 

• Reduction in change-related quality issues, downtime, and unplanned disruptions. 

• Trial readiness process consistently executed across all changes. 

• Increased alignment between Design Engineering and Manufacturing on change feasibility. 

• On-time, high-quality execution of engineering changes and model updates. 

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First

• Delight Customers

• One Team

• Relentless Improvement

• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy

• Respectful Collaboration

• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at

slate-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.