A Cary-based social media shop has nabbed a huge client: The Chrysler Group.

The Chrysler contract will essentially double the operations of 4-year-old Ignite Social Media. The 35-employee company plans to hire 40-plus people at its offices in Detroit and in Raleigh in the coming weeks.

The Chrysler contract is effective Sept. 1 and will involve designing and executing a social media marketing strategy for the auto maker, said Ignite president Jim Tobin.

The positions being filled will work on Chrysler projects and for other recently signed clients, Tobin said. Openings in Raleigh include strategist, designer, copywriter, web developer and office manager.

Chrysler and the Environmental Protection Agency are trying to adapt an engine technology invented by the EPA to improve gas mileage in minivans.