Program Specialist Jobs in Michigan
Program Specialist jobs in Michigan are concentrated in Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, where state government agencies, large health systems, and major manufacturers anchor consistent demand for program specialists in workforce development, public health, and human services. Employers such as the State of Michigan, Henry Ford Health, and General Motors maintain ongoing program specialist roles supporting everything from compliance and training coordination to community outreach and grants management. Openings appear across experience levels, from early-career coordinators to senior program leads managing multi-site initiatives. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 3 of 34+ Program Specialist jobs
Position Summary
The Program Management Specialist I supports the successful development, launch, and lifecycle management of SHOWA Performance aftermarket suspension products, accessories, and performance systems. This role serves as a critical link between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Quality, Sales, Marketing, and external suppliers to ensure products are developed, validated, manufactured, and launched in alignment with business objectives.
The position is responsible for coordinating cross-functional activities, maintaining program schedules, managing deliverables, supporting issue resolution, and driving execution of new product introductions from concept through commercialization.
Approximately 80% of the role focuses on program management responsibilities, including planning, execution, launch coordination, supplier management, and business reporting. The remaining 20% involves direct participation in engineering and product development activities, including prototype support, vehicle build coordination, validation testing, product evaluations, technical issue resolution, and continuous product improvement activities.
This role is intended to develop well-rounded professionals who possess both strong program leadership capabilities and practical experience in aftermarket suspension product development, testing, vehicle integration, and launch execution.
Essential Responsibilities
Program Management Responsibilities (80%)
Program Planning & Execution
- Support the planning, execution, and successful launch of aftermarket suspension products, accessories, and related performance systems.
- Develop and maintain integrated program timing plans and milestone schedules.
- Track program deliverables, dependencies, risks, and critical path activities.
- Coordinate cross-functional activities to ensure program objectives are achieved on time and within budget.
- Monitor program performance and proactively identify and mitigate risks.
- Support business case development and program planning activities for new products and strategic initiatives.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Coordinate activities between Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and external suppliers.
- Facilitate regular program meetings and maintain action item tracking.
- Drive accountability for project deliverables across functional teams.
- Escalate critical issues that impact timing, cost, quality, or customer satisfaction.
- Support strategic alignment between technical, operational, and business objectives.
Product Launch & Commercialization
- Support new product introduction (NPI) and product line expansion initiatives.
- Coordinate launch readiness reviews and production release activities.
- Track prototype, pilot, and production launch milestones.
- Support packaging, inventory readiness, pricing implementation, and go-to-market activities.
- Assist with launch planning for distributors, dealers, trade shows, marketing campaigns, and customer events.
- Coordinate launch-related communication and execution activities across the organization.
Supplier & Customer Coordination
- Coordinate timing and deliverables with suppliers and service providers.
- Track supplier readiness and recovery actions.
- Support customer-facing communications for assigned programs.
- Coordinate sample requests, product evaluations, and demonstration activities.
- Support issue resolution and follow up with internal and external stakeholders.
Reporting & Governance
- Maintain program dashboards, risk registers, issue logs, and key performance indicators.
- Prepare management presentations, status reports, and executive summaries.
- Support budget tracking and program financial monitoring.
- Drive closure of open action items and follow-up activities.
- Support continuous improvement of program management processes, tools, and reporting methods.
Engineering & Product Development Responsibilities (20%)
Product Development Support
- Participate in the development of new aftermarket suspension products, accessories, and performance systems.
- Serve as the program management liaison to Engineering throughout the product development process.
- Support engineering design reviews, technical discussions, and product planning activities.
- Coordinate engineering deliverables required to meet program milestones.
- Work closely with engineers to balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and timing objectives.
Prototype & Vehicle Build Support
- Coordinate prototype builds, sample parts, and evaluation units.
- Support product installation, fitment verification, and vehicle integration activities.
- Assist with SHOWA Performance vehicle builds, demonstration vehicles, trade show vehicles, SEMA projects, and customer evaluation programs.
- Participate in vehicle testing, ride-and-drive events, and product assessment activities.
Validation & Testing
- Support development and execution of product validation plans.
- Coordinate laboratory, vehicle, durability, environmental, and performance testing activities.
- Track validation status, test results, and corrective actions.
- Assist engineering teams in documenting and communicating test outcomes.
- Support verification of product performance against design objectives and customer requirements.
Engineering Change Management
- Coordinate implementation of engineering changes from concept through production release.
- Track timing, approvals, and execution of product design revisions.
- Support manufacturing and supplier readiness activities related to engineering changes.
- Assist with engineering documentation and configuration control activities.
Technical Issue Resolution
- Participate in root cause investigations involving product, quality, manufacturing, installation, and warranty concerns.
- Support corrective and preventive action activities.
- Gather, analyze, and organize technical data to support engineering decision-making.
- Track issue resolution activities through closure.
Product Performance & Market Feedback
- Collect and organize product feedback from customers, distributors, dealers, installers, racers, and internal stakeholders.
- Support competitor benchmarking and market product evaluations.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and product enhancement projects.
- Assist in identifying opportunities for product line expansion and performance improvements.
- Work with engineering teams to support product tuning and optimization activities.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, Program Management, or related field required.
- Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering degree preferred.
Experience
- 0-3 years of experience in program management, project management, engineering, manufacturing, product development, or a related technical field.
- Automotive, motorsports, powersports, off-road, OEM, or aftermarket industry experience preferred.
- Experience supporting product launches, engineering projects, or vehicle-related programs is desirable.
Technical Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and Project.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, test reports, and validation results.
- Working knowledge of product development, design release, validation, and change management processes.
- Familiarity with prototype development, validation testing, manufacturing readiness, and launch activities.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Position Summary
The Program Management Specialist I supports the successful development, launch, and lifecycle management of SHOWA Performance aftermarket suspension products, accessories, and performance systems. This role serves as a critical link between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Quality, Sales, Marketing, and external suppliers to ensure products are developed, validated, manufactured, and launched in alignment with business objectives.
The position is responsible for coordinating cross-functional activities, maintaining program schedules, managing deliverables, supporting issue resolution, and driving execution of new product introductions from concept through commercialization.
Approximately 80% of the role focuses on program management responsibilities, including planning, execution, launch coordination, supplier management, and business reporting. The remaining 20% involves direct participation in engineering and product development activities, including prototype support, vehicle build coordination, validation testing, product evaluations, technical issue resolution, and continuous product improvement activities.
This role is intended to develop well-rounded professionals who possess both strong program leadership capabilities and practical experience in aftermarket suspension product development, testing, vehicle integration, and launch execution.
Essential Responsibilities
Program Management Responsibilities (80%)
Program Planning & Execution
- Support the planning, execution, and successful launch of aftermarket suspension products, accessories, and related performance systems.
- Develop and maintain integrated program timing plans and milestone schedules.
- Track program deliverables, dependencies, risks, and critical path activities.
- Coordinate cross-functional activities to ensure program objectives are achieved on time and within budget.
- Monitor program performance and proactively identify and mitigate risks.
- Support business case development and program planning activities for new products and strategic initiatives.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Coordinate activities between Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and external suppliers.
- Facilitate regular program meetings and maintain action item tracking.
- Drive accountability for project deliverables across functional teams.
- Escalate critical issues that impact timing, cost, quality, or customer satisfaction.
- Support strategic alignment between technical, operational, and business objectives.
Product Launch & Commercialization
- Support new product introduction (NPI) and product line expansion initiatives.
- Coordinate launch readiness reviews and production release activities.
- Track prototype, pilot, and production launch milestones.
- Support packaging, inventory readiness, pricing implementation, and go-to-market activities.
- Assist with launch planning for distributors, dealers, trade shows, marketing campaigns, and customer events.
- Coordinate launch-related communication and execution activities across the organization.
Supplier & Customer Coordination
- Coordinate timing and deliverables with suppliers and service providers.
- Track supplier readiness and recovery actions.
- Support customer-facing communications for assigned programs.
- Coordinate sample requests, product evaluations, and demonstration activities.
- Support issue resolution and follow up with internal and external stakeholders.
Reporting & Governance
- Maintain program dashboards, risk registers, issue logs, and key performance indicators.
- Prepare management presentations, status reports, and executive summaries.
- Support budget tracking and program financial monitoring.
- Drive closure of open action items and follow-up activities.
- Support continuous improvement of program management processes, tools, and reporting methods.
Engineering & Product Development Responsibilities (20%)
Product Development Support
- Participate in the development of new aftermarket suspension products, accessories, and performance systems.
- Serve as the program management liaison to Engineering throughout the product development process.
- Support engineering design reviews, technical discussions, and product planning activities.
- Coordinate engineering deliverables required to meet program milestones.
- Work closely with engineers to balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and timing objectives.
Prototype & Vehicle Build Support
- Coordinate prototype builds, sample parts, and evaluation units.
- Support product installation, fitment verification, and vehicle integration activities.
- Assist with SHOWA Performance vehicle builds, demonstration vehicles, trade show vehicles, SEMA projects, and customer evaluation programs.
- Participate in vehicle testing, ride-and-drive events, and product assessment activities.
Validation & Testing
- Support development and execution of product validation plans.
- Coordinate laboratory, vehicle, durability, environmental, and performance testing activities.
- Track validation status, test results, and corrective actions.
- Assist engineering teams in documenting and communicating test outcomes.
- Support verification of product performance against design objectives and customer requirements.
Engineering Change Management
- Coordinate implementation of engineering changes from concept through production release.
- Track timing, approvals, and execution of product design revisions.
- Support manufacturing and supplier readiness activities related to engineering changes.
- Assist with engineering documentation and configuration control activities.
Technical Issue Resolution
- Participate in root cause investigations involving product, quality, manufacturing, installation, and warranty concerns.
- Support corrective and preventive action activities.
- Gather, analyze, and organize technical data to support engineering decision-making.
- Track issue resolution activities through closure.
Product Performance & Market Feedback
- Collect and organize product feedback from customers, distributors, dealers, installers, racers, and internal stakeholders.
- Support competitor benchmarking and market product evaluations.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and product enhancement projects.
- Assist in identifying opportunities for product line expansion and performance improvements.
- Work with engineering teams to support product tuning and optimization activities.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, Program Management, or related field required.
- Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering degree preferred.
Experience
- 0-3 years of experience in program management, project management, engineering, manufacturing, product development, or a related technical field.
- Automotive, motorsports, powersports, off-road, OEM, or aftermarket industry experience preferred.
- Experience supporting product launches, engineering projects, or vehicle-related programs is desirable.
Technical Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and Project.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, test reports, and validation results.
- Working knowledge of product development, design release, validation, and change management processes.
- Familiarity with prototype development, validation testing, manufacturing readiness, and launch activities.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
See All 34 Program Specialist Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Specialist JobsProgram Specialist Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Specialist Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program specialist jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, education, or a related field
- Experience managing or coordinating government or nonprofit program operations
- Proficiency with state or federal grant administration and compliance reporting
- Strong written communication skills for creating program documentation and reports
- Ability to collect, analyze, and present program performance data to stakeholders
- Familiarity with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services program standards
Program Specialist Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program specialist in Michigan?
Most program specialist roles in Michigan require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public policy, social work, education, or business administration. State agency positions, particularly within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, often require documented experience with program administration or case coordination. No single state-issued license governs the title, but specialized tracks in behavioral health or workforce development may require additional Michigan-recognized credentials.
Which companies hire program specialists in Michigan?
Employers hiring program specialists in Michigan right now include Wedgwood Christian Services, American Youth Foundation, and Fishbeck, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Michigan's large state government workforce, anchor health systems, and federally funded community organizations make it one of the more active markets for this role year-round.
Which Michigan cities have the most program specialist jobs?
Grand Rapids, Shelby, and Ann Arbor have the most program specialist openings in Michigan. Detroit drives the largest share through its concentration of health systems, nonprofit organizations, and corporate headquarters, while Lansing produces steady volume as the state capital where nearly every Michigan government agency maintains program staff, and Grand Rapids reflects growing demand from its expanding healthcare and human services sectors.
Are there remote program specialist jobs in Michigan?
Yes, and they are more common than in many fields, since program specialists spend much of their time on documentation, reporting, and coordination work that transfers well to remote settings. About 63% of program specialist openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting a real shift since the pandemic. Grant-funded and policy-focused roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions requiring direct community engagement or client services are more likely to be on-site.
How can I get hired as a program specialist in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a program coordinator or program assistant role at a Michigan state agency or large nonprofit, where employers routinely hire candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree and transferable skills from adjacent roles such as case manager, administrative analyst, or community health worker. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and United Way affiliates across the state offer entry-level program positions that build the compliance and reporting experience employers require. A relevant internship, AmeriCorps service term, or grant-writing certificate strengthens applications significantly at this level.
Where can I find and apply to program specialist jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to program specialist jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings updated in real time. Search the listings, identify roles that match your background and target region, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 34 Program Specialist Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Specialist Jobs