Technical Project Manager

Blue Bird Fort Valley
402 Blue Bird Blvd
Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA

About Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation.

The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit

JOB SUMMARY

The Technical Project Manager (TPM) provides critical operational and technical leadership for major engineering programs, particularly within our EV and powertrain divisions. You will act as the "glue" between technical engineering, program management, manufacturing, quality and other business stakeholders, ensuring that complex R&D and manufacturing projects stay on schedule, within budget, and aligned with company strategy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Project Leadership: Manage end-to-end project life cycles for engineering initiatives, including mechanical systems, EV powertrains, and manufacturing improvements.
• Planning & Scheduling: Develop and maintain detailed project schedules and timing plans using Microsoft Project and other tracking tools; manage critical paths to ensure timely completion.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Partner with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, and Vendors to identify resource needs and resolve technical bottlenecks.
• Documentation & Compliance: Oversee the Product Development System (PDS) adherence; draft Statements of Work (SOW) and maintain centralized archives for technical documentation.
• Risk & Budget Management: Proactively identify and mitigate risks; track project deliverables against cost, timing, and quality goals.
• Communication: Prepare status reports and present technical progress during executive "Gate Reviews" and management updates.

KNOWLEDGE,

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

FOR SUCCESS

• Automotive Engineering Acumen: Deep understanding of vehicle systems, including chassis, body-on-frame construction, and powertrain integration. Knowledge of high‑voltage battery systems and electric drivetrain architecture is highly valued.
• Systems Thinking: Ability to understand how a change in one subsystem (e.g., electrical) impacts other components (e.g., thermal management or structural integrity) within the bus architecture.
• Advanced Scheduling & Planning: Mastery of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and the ability to manage complex dependencies in a multi‑stage manufacturing environment.
• Regulatory & Safety Knowledge: Familiarity with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and environmental regulations (EPA/CARB) to ensure all engineering projects meet strict legal requirements.
• Strategic Problem Solving: A "first‑principles" approach to troubleshooting; the ability to identify the root cause of technical delay and pivot resources effectively without compromising quality.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Skill in interpreting engineering data, CAD models, and financial reports to provide clear, actionable recommendations to executive leadership.
• Collaborative Influence: The "soft power" to lead cross‑functional teams (Design, Supply Chain, Production) toward a common goal, even when team members do not report to you directly.
• Agility & Adaptability: Resilience in a fast‑paced R&D environment, with the capacity to manage shifting priorities as new technologies and market demands emerge.
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Proficiency with project management tools; familiarity with FMVSS and other safety standards is a plus.
• Soft Skills: Strong analytical thinking, excellent interpersonal skills to handle sensitive matters, and the ability to communicate complex details clearly to non‑technical stakeholders.

BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bac…