R&D Operations & Transformation Analyst

Job description

R&D Operations & Transformation Analyst HATCI is the North American R&D HQ for Hyundai Motor Group and is growing to support global vehicle and mobility programs. With locations across Michigan, California, and Georgia we continuously modernize and improve how we operate—increasing our scalable, efficient, and transparent operational practices. We are seeking an Operations & Transformation Analyst to join our Operations Team and drive modernization across our growing R&D organization. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on how a dynamic R&D organization operates. You will work alongside leadership to implement modern business tools, establish efficient processes, and improve how we communicate and collaborate. The Operations Team will drive transformation projects across all functions and areas of the organization (Engineering, Finance, IT, HR, Executive-level, etc.) This role is ideal for a smart, self-motivated leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is equally comfortable managing complex projects and rolling up your sleeves to execute the work yourself. You will be instrumental in helping our entire organization work smarter. The role requires someone comfortable operating in low‑structure environments, influencing without authority, and translating strategy into practical execution. This is a builder role for someone who enjoys defining “how things should work” and then making it real. The role will be dynamic and evolving—expanding into diverse transformation initiatives as the organization grows. WHAT YOU WILL DO Project Management & Execution Plan, lead, and deliver projects that meet objectives on time, within scope, and within budget Define project goals, scope, deliverables, and success criteria in collaboration with stakeholders Develop detailed project plans, schedules, milestones, timelines, and resource estimates Act as the primary stakeholder contact for project status, updates, reports, and presentations Track, manage, and resolve issues and risks as they arise Platform Administration & Knowledge Management Leadership Develop, architect, and maintain the technical framework and business-level settings for Jira and Notion platforms Create and execute comprehensive deployment plans to drive adoption and training across all employees and sites Build the company's knowledge management system, including documentation, FAQs, resources, guides, templates, policies, and procedures Serve as the organizational expert and primary point of contact for both platforms—supporting departmental champions, troubleshooting issues, and liaising with software vendors and external consultants Support long-term platform optimization and governance Process Improvement & Organizational Optimization Review existing ways of working across departments and document current-state processes Analyze operations to identify improvement opportunities and develop target-state processes Create detailed documentation including procedures, standard work instructions, and flowcharts Drive action plans to close process gaps and implement improvements Facilitate process improvement workshops and structured improvement activities across the organization Operations & Administrative Support Provide support to the President and Leadership Team by acting in a chief of staff capacity: facilitate meetings, develop and track action plans, prepare executive-level reports and presentations Establish and administer key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure organizational effectiveness Collaborate with departments including engineering, production, procurement, and facilities to ensure seamless operations Create and maintain operational templates and documentation standards WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE Educational Requirements: Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience. Desired major in Engineering, Business, or STEM discipline Related Industry Experience Requirements: 5+ years of relevant experience (10+ years strongly preferred) Previous experience within the automotive industry preferred Required Skills and Knowledge: Demonstrated experience leading projects in ambiguous environments, designing and implementing processes, and supporting organizational growth and transformation Exceptional written and verbal communication skills Strong facilitation and workshop leadership capability Influential communicator able to motivate and align diverse teams Highly adaptable and comfortable with change Self‑directed, proactive, and execution‑focused Organized, analytical, and detail‑oriented without losing strategic perspective Additional Requirements: Advanced knowledge of Jira and Notion (or comparable project management and knowledge management platforms) Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar business intelligence and enterprise software tools preferred Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite (Excel, PowerPoint) Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and master new software platforms and tools WHAT HYUNDAI CAN OFFER YOU Zero-dollar employee premiums on Medical, Dental, and Vision for you and your family 100% employer-paid disability and life insurance Generous paid time off including vacation, sick and abundant holidays A global environment that fosters diversity Competitive salaries Retirement savings and planning benefits Access to health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts Opportunity to shape the success of a growing R&D organization Direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic initiatives High-impact role with visible results OTHER DETAILS Candidates applying for positions with Hyundai KIA must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. HATCI is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Veteran. VEVRAA Federal contractor.