Joseph Liu
Ann Arbor
Summary
Senior Program Manager with extensive experience at Toyota Motor North America R&D, specializing in cost planning and capital budgeting. Successfully launched innovative zero-emission vehicles while optimizing total cost of ownership. Proficient in SAP and program management, leading cross-functional teams to meet strategic objectives.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Program Manager - Advanced Product Planning Office
Toyota Motor North America R&D
06.2022 - Current
- Led the R&D team to develop and launch the first FCEV HD Class 8 truck for the NA region.
- Oversaw full system integration in collaboration with OEM-PACCAR, managing fuel cell dual-stack assembly, HV battery, and drive systems.
- Aligned program-level budget targets with system component cost tracking, and supplier sourcing.
Principle Engineer - Advanced Product Planning Office
Toyota Motor North America R&D
01.2021 - 05.2022
- Directed cost planning and development strategy for North America's first zero-emission compact truck PoC.
- Created technical benchmarks, and led capital alignment with internal stakeholders.
- Analyzed total lifecycle costs to set design-to-cost targets.
Principle Engineer - Technical Strategy and Planning Office
Toyota Motor North America R&D
06.2019 - 12.2020
- Served as the R&D lead for the North America Product Portfolio Planning (MTPP), ensuring long-term cost compliance with CAFÉ and GHG regulations.
- Led a cross-functional review of senior executive leaders at NAEC to align the vehicle rollout and profit structure strategy.
Principle Engineer - Technical Strategy and Planning Office
Toyota Motor North America R&D
05.2017 - 05.2019
- Owned TMNA R&D's 5-year capital budget development, consolidating funding from TMNA, TEMA, and TMC.
- Directed prioritization of investment proposals across vehicle programs to meet MTBP, and NARS strategic objectives.
Senior Engineer - Engine Compartment Design
Toyota Motor North America R&D
11.2014 - 04.2017
- Led technical design and cost analysis for air intake and cooling on the 491B turbo engine project.
- Applied CAE/CFD methods to meet cost-performance targets.
- Introduced Toyota's first turbo engine sound enhancement with cost-optimized materials.
Senior (Chief) Product Development Engineer
Bridgestone APM Company
07.2013 - 10.2014
- Managed cost planning for chassis and powertrain components across the U.S. markets.
- Oversaw supplier sourcing decisions, 3- to 5-year budgeting, and NVH validations.
- Collaborated with global HQ to optimize TCO through strategic material and sourcing changes.
Global Product Design - Project Management Lead
Bridgestone Corporation
Yokohama
01.2011 - 07.2013
- Directed regional launch cost strategies, and local compliance reviews for India and South America.
- Ensured product development met unit cost targets and design specification constraints.
- Supported global expansion via cost-centric technical execution.
Product Development Engineer
Bridgestone APM Company
04.2004 - 12.2010
- Developed cost-effective designs using elastomer, plastic, and metal hybrid solutions.
- Reduced manufacturing waste and improved performance metrics through CAE/CFD simulations.
- Spearheaded technical presentations with cost-impact analysis for OEM clients.
Project Engineering Coordinator
Yusa Corporation
04.2003 - 04.2004
- Led Kaizen-based plant cost improvement efforts, including inventory reduction, OEE enhancements, and customer claim mitigation.
Mechanical Engineering Co-op
Bridgestone APM Company
12.1999 - 09.2001
- Supported tire/suspension costs and NVH evaluations with Ford partnership for future vehicle platforms.
Education
Master of Science - Engineering - Management Specialization
The University of Akron
Akron, Ohio05.2006
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
The University of Akron
Akron, Ohio05.2002
Skills
- Cost planning and capital budgeting
- Total cost of ownership strategy
- SAP
- MS Project
- AutoCAD
- SolidWorks
- Visual Basic
- MATLAB
- Fortran
- Pro/E
- Algor
- ABAQUS
- Hyperworks
- ADAMS
- NASTRAN
- STAR-CD
- Minitab
- CATIA
- PeopleSoft
- Program Management
- Compliance & Regulatory
- Powertrain System Control
- Fuel Cell System Management
- MS Outlook
Languages
- Chinese
- Taiwanese
- Japanese
- English
Personal Information
Citizenship: U.S. Citizen
Timeline
Senior Program Manager - Advanced Product Planning Office
Toyota Motor North America R&D
06.2022 - Current
Principle Engineer - Advanced Product Planning Office
Toyota Motor North America R&D
01.2021 - 05.2022
Principle Engineer - Technical Strategy and Planning Office
Toyota Motor North America R&D
06.2019 - 12.2020
Principle Engineer - Technical Strategy and Planning Office
Toyota Motor North America R&D
05.2017 - 05.2019
Senior Engineer - Engine Compartment Design
Toyota Motor North America R&D
11.2014 - 04.2017
Senior (Chief) Product Development Engineer
Bridgestone APM Company
07.2013 - 10.2014
Global Product Design - Project Management Lead
Bridgestone Corporation
01.2011 - 07.2013
Product Development Engineer
Bridgestone APM Company
04.2004 - 12.2010
Project Engineering Coordinator
Yusa Corporation
04.2003 - 04.2004
Mechanical Engineering Co-op
Bridgestone APM Company
12.1999 - 09.2001
Master of Science - Engineering - Management Specialization
The University of Akron
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
The University of Akron
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