Project Vehicle Systems Synthesis Manager – Advanced Programs
Stellantis Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing · 10,001+ employees
About the role
The Project Vehicle Systems Synthesis Manager leads the integration of all vehicle systems to ensure cohesive performance, quality, and customer experience targets. This role manages cross-functional teams and technical alignment across chassis, powertrain, body, and electrical domains throughout the product lifecycle.
What they look for
Requirements
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering and at least 10 years of relevant automotive development experience. Proven leadership in multi-disciplinary teams and a deep understanding of vehicle attributes and system interactions are essential.
Full description
The Project Vehicle Systems Synthesis Manager is responsible for leading the integration and synthesis of all vehicle systems to achieve world-class performance, quality, and customer experience targets. This role serves as the technical bridge between chassis, powertrain, body, and electrical teams—ensuring that all subsystems come together as one cohesive and optimized vehicle. You will oversee vehicle-level attribute balancing, performance target setting, and benchmarking, driving cross-functional alignment from concept through contract milestone.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead Vehicle Integration: Own the vehicle synthesis process, ensuring alignment across engineering domains to achieve vehicle functional objectives.
- Attribute Management: Define, track, and balance vehicle-level targets (weight, aero, fuel economy, ride/handling, towing, etc.) across programs.
- Vehicle Development Leadership: Guide cross-functional teams through concept definition, powertrain selection, development timing, budget roll-ups, and competitive assessments.
- Performance Optimization: Work closely with packaging, powertrain, weight and aerodynamics teams to deliver best-in-class vehicles.
- Technical Reviews: Lead vehicle integration reviews and program milestone scorecard assessments.
- System Compatibility: Ensure packaging and functional requirements are met while maintaining performance at a competitive cost.
- Team Development: Lead a team of vehicle integration and synthesis engineers; foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
- Benchmarking and Target Setting: Lead competitive vehicle benchmarking, performance analysis, and technical target derivation.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field.
- A minimum of 10 years of automotive development experience - preferably including experience in vehicle integration, vehicle dynamics, or system engineering
- Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams through the full product lifecycle.
- Work effectively and manage direct and non-direct reports across multiple unique disciplines
- Must be a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and a self-directed process thinker with well-developed problem-solving skills
- Deep understanding of vehicle attributes, system interactions, and trade-off management
- Ability to simplify complex engineering topics, develop and deliver a presentation concisely to all levels of management
- Ability to make quick decisions using sound engineering logic while representing the Voice of the Customer
- Ability to define the engineering logic behind features and systems critical to the customer experience
- Passion for vehicles, the customer, and continuous innovation.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field.
- A minimum of 10 years or more of automotive development experience - preferably including experience in vehicle integration, vehicle dynamics, or system engineering
