Build Coordinator - Powertrain Hardware

Build Coordinator Powertrain Hardware

Location: Onsite Novi Office

Duration - 1 year contract (to start)

Summary

The Build Coordinator for Powertrain Hardware oversees the planning, tracking, and execution of all hardware related activities required to support vehicle builds, test benches, and prototype powertrain development. This role ensures that suppliers, parts, logistics, and vehicle assets are aligned to program timelines. The coordinator maintains full visibility of component readiness, shipping flows, spare part inventories, and build sequencingenabling engineering teams to execute development, validation, and durability campaigns without interruption.

This position serves as the operational backbone for powertrain hardware readiness, bridging engineering, supply chain, prototype shops, test labs, and external suppliers to ensure smooth, predictable delivery of build events.

Key Responsibilities

1) Build Planning & Coordination

• Develop and maintain the master build plan for powertrain hardware across vehicle builds, dyno setups, and subsystem test benches.
• Coordinate build slots, vehicle allocation, and resource availability with prototype, workshop, and test-lab teams.
• Track build status from prebuild readiness through execution and post build teardown/feedback.
• Ensure alignment between engineering requirements, build configurations, and hardware BOMs.

2) Supplier & Component Management

• Serve as the primary interface for supplier scheduling, part delivery tracking, and escalation of delays or risks.
• Maintain visibility of long lead items, prototype hardware orders, and supplier commitments.
• Track spare parts, consumables, and replacement hardware; ensure availability for test benches, dyno cells, and vehicle campaigns.
• Coordinate with purchasing and logistics to resolve shortages, expedite shipments, and manage inbound/outbound flows.

3) Logistics, Shipping & Inventory Control

• Oversee shipping of powertrain components, test hardware, and instrumentation between facilities, suppliers, and test locations.
• Maintain accurate inventory of prototype hardware, including serialized components, calibration variants, and test-specific configurations.
• Ensure proper documentation, labeling, and traceability for all shipped or stored items.
• Manage return flows for tested or failed components, including RMA coordination and supplier feedback loops.

4) Build Readiness & Issue Tracking

• Conduct readiness reviews prior to each build event, confirming hardware availability, tooling, documentation, and configuration alignment.
• Track issues discovered during builds or testing; ensure timely routing to engineering owners and follow-up to closure.
• Maintain dashboards and reports on build progress, risks, and hardware status.
• Support root-cause investigations by providing component history, shipping records, and build traceability.

5) Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with powertrain engineering, calibration, diagnostics, prototype shops, and test-lab teams to align build requirements and timelines.
• Coordinate with program management to ensure build milestones support overall vehicle development cadence.
• Facilitate communication between internal teams and external suppliers regarding hardware changes, configuration updates, and build impacts.
• Support documentation of build configurations, hardware revisions, and test-bench setups.

Qualifications

• 37+ years of experience in automotive hardware coordination, prototype build management, or powertrain development support.
• Strong understanding of EV/HEV powertrain components (e.g., e-drive units, inverters, batteries, range extenders, cooling systems).
• Experience coordinating suppliers, prototype parts, and logistics in a fast-paced engineering environment.
• Familiarity with BOM management, configuration control, and prototype build processes.
• Proficiency with tracking tools (e.g., Excel, PLM systems, ERP, Jira/Azure DevOps).
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple parallel build streams.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination abilities.
• Bonus: Experience with test benches, dyno operations, or vehicle prototype shops.

KPIs

• Build readiness: % of builds starting on time, hardware availability rate, number of last-minute shortages.
• Logistics performance: on-time delivery rate, shipping accuracy, inventory accuracy.
• Issue management: average time to resolve build blockers, recurrence rate of hardware-related issues.
• Supplier coordination: adherence to delivery commitments, escalation effectiveness, long-lead risk mitigation.
• Documentation & traceability: completeness of build records, configuration accuracy, audit readiness.