Project Manager -- Custom Connector & Cable Assembly Applications

iCONN Systems

Lombard, IL, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Technology

Full Time

Job Description

Project Manager — Custom Connector & Cable Assembly Applications

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are seeking a technically capable, customer-facing Project Manager to lead highly engineered and customized iCONN connector, cable assembly, and overmolded interconnect programs. In this role, you will work directly with customer engineering and procurement teams to define application requirements, translate those needs into clear internal specifications, and coordinate Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Sales from initial feasibility through prototype, qualification, approval, and production launch. This is not a traditional product-management role: the position is focused on executing customer-specific engineered solutions rather than owning a product roadmap or standard product portfolio. The ideal candidate combines technical fluency, disciplined project management, strong customer communication, and the ability to drive cross-functional execution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Requirements & Application Definition

• Customer Technical Engagement: Work directly with OEM engineering, procurement, and program teams on highly engineered and customized connector, cable assembly, and overmolded interconnect requirements.

• Requirements Capture: Translate customer application needs into clear electrical, mechanical, environmental, material, regulatory, documentation, and commercial requirements for internal review.

• Application Discovery: Lead detailed discussions regarding connector interfaces, cable construction, pinouts, termination methods, overmold geometry, materials, sealing/IP requirements, temperature, chemical exposure, flexing, and other application conditions.

• Feasibility Intake: Coordinate the initial review of custom opportunities with Sales, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to determine technical feasibility, development needs, risks, and next steps.

Custom Project Leadership

• Project Ownership: Lead assigned custom iCONN projects from requirements definition and feasibility through quotation, design, prototype/sample development, qualification, customer approval, and production launch.

• Project Planning: Establish project milestones, responsibilities, deliverables, decision points, and customer commitments; maintain clear project status throughout the development cycle.

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Serve as the central commercial/technical coordinator among the customer, Sales, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and external suppliers as required.

• Risk & Change Management: Identify technical, schedule, cost, tooling, supply, and qualification risks early and coordinate resolution of changes that affect project scope or customer commitments.

Technical Commercialization & Qualification

• Quotation Support: Develop the technical scope and assumptions required for accurate quoting of custom assemblies, tooling, prototypes, testing, and non-recurring engineering requirements in partnership with Sales and Operations.

• Prototype & Sample Coordination: Coordinate prototype builds, first articles, samples, customer evaluations, and associated documentation to keep programs moving toward approval.

• Qualification & Compliance: Coordinate customer-specific testing and applicable requirements such as IP ratings, UL/CSA considerations, RoHS/REACH, material certifications, dimensional validation, or other agreed qualification criteria.

• Production Readiness: Confirm that approved drawings, bills of material, routings, work instructions, quality requirements, tooling, and customer documentation are aligned before production launch.

Customer & Business Collaboration

• Sales Partnership: Support the Technical Sales Managers and Sales Representatives on technically complex iCONN opportunities while Sales retains ownership of the account, commercial relationship, and overall opportunity.

• Customer Communication: Provide clear, timely project updates to customer engineering and procurement contacts, including open actions, risks, changes, samples, testing, and launch timing.

• Voice of Customer: Bring customer application knowledge and recurring custom requirements back to Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Sales to improve execution and identify capability opportunities.

• Post-Launch Transition: Support the transition of launched programs into normal production and Customer Service, remaining engaged when technical changes or significant engineering issues require project-level coordination.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent relevant experience considered. 5+ years of project management, applications engineering, product engineering, or technical customer-facing experience in connectors, cable assemblies, overmolding, or related electromechanical products.

• Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of custom interconnect applications, including connectors, cable construction, terminations, overmolding, materials, sealing/environmental requirements, drawings, and manufacturing considerations.

• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple custom development programs, milestones, risks, action items, and cross-functional deliverables from concept through production launch.

• Customer Facing: Comfortable leading detailed technical discussions with OEM engineering and procurement teams and translating customer needs into actionable internal requirements.

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to organize complex technical and commercial information into clear requirements, decisions, and project updates.

• Software Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with ERP systems, CRM tools (HubSpot), project-tracking tools, and engineering documentation systems preferred.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Compensation: Competitive base salary (~ $77 - $115k) plus annual bonus incentive compensation, commensurate with experience.

• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) Safe Harbor, and PTO.

Culture: Mechanical Products (MP) and iCONN Systems are team-oriented environments built on collaboration and mutual respect — values that have defined our culture over the last several decades

\nCompany Description

iCONN Systems and Mechanical Products (MP) are sister companies headquartered in Lombard, IL. MP is a leading developer of thermal circuit breakers and circuit protection accessories, and iCONN is a leading developer of overmolded connector products. Together, the companies produce high-quality electromechanical and interconnect components for a wide range of industrial, transportation, marine, and OEM applications. For decades, MP and iCONN have distinguished themselves through unmatched quality and unparalleled customer service.