Principal Vehicle Frame Engineer - Fleet-as-a-Service (FaaS) Program

At Honda, The Power of Dreams drives us to create intelligent products that enhance mobility and increase the joy in people’s lives. We continue to draw inspiration from the visionary ideas of our namesake, Soichiro Honda. He saw incredible power in the freedom of mobility and used his imagination to change the world. It is this mindset that guides us to help move people forward and protect the future we all share. We strive to earn the trust and support of the many diverse communities we happily serve, and we’ll always remember who’s in the driver’s seat on the way to a better world for all.

About the Role

The Lead Vehicle Frame Engineer will lead and coordinate vehicle frame design, oversee engineers, designers, testers, and suppliers to ensure that our products meet the specified standards of quality, performance, and safety. This role holds accountability for the overall vehicle platform, including integration across all systems and final technical outcomes, and operates as the primary technical authority to ensure alignment across cross-functional stakeholders. The Lead Vehicle Frame Engineer should be able to work independently in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the vehicle frame design and development of FaaS vehicle, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, ensuring timely delivery of quality materials and services, and resolving any issues that may arise.
• Select appropriate maker layouts and maintain development schedules.
• Monitor supplier performance and conduct regular audits and reviews.
• Collaborate with internal teams such as engineering, production, and quality to align supplier capabilities with business needs and set objectives and milestones related to vehicle development.
• Provide direction and feedback to design and development teams, set and enforce vehicle-level technical specifications, and review test results.
• Lead evaluations for feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and quality of design and development solutions.
• Approve and validate CATIA models and drawings to ensure alignment with overall vehicle requirements.
• Apply fundamental engineering principles to complex targets.
• Set technical specifications and determine pass/no pass standards.
• Responsible for the development and execution of powertrain-related project milestones within scope, budget, and time constraints.
• Define objectives, scope, and deliverables, and coordinate with stakeholders and team members throughout the project.
• Monitor and control project progress, quality, and risks, and communicate project status and issues to relevant parties.
• Plan and coordinate activities with design, test, production, and suppliers.
• Create schedules and milestones, lead meetings, track open and upcoming items, and provide status reports.
• Ensure effective collaboration and communication among team members and stakeholders.
• Identify gaps and needs, while moving projects forward to meet deadlines.
• Manage partnerships with other divisions/Honda companies, vendors, and suppliers across multiple functional areas.
• Identify short and long-term function needs, develop plans and proposals.
• Provide leadership across cross-functional and external teams, including influencing stakeholders.
• Review vehicle-related test results and ensure adherence to quality standards and customer requirements/expectations.
• Evaluate the performance, functionality, usability, and reliability of testing solutions, and provide direction for improvement or acceptance.
• Create and actively monitor project targets and schedules cross-functionally and address concerns without supervision.
• Confirm testing outcomes, integration requirements, and final acceptance readiness.

Requirements

• At least a Bachelor’s level college degree in Engineering (preferably in Mechanical or Automotive or similar STEM field of study).
• 12+ years of related work experience in automotive or powersports vehicle frame development.
• Experience supporting or leading cross-functional projects and teams related to system-level development.
• CATIA 3D experience is highly desired.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of the automotive and/or powersports industry, products, and technology.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all disciplines associated with Auto Research, Development, Sales, and Manufacturing.
• Demonstrated excellent critical thinking, business judgment, negotiating, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Strong initiative to align strategy with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of resource management.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changes in business strategy to help business partners communicate solution value to key stakeholders.
• Start-up environment experience is beneficial.
• Proven track record of successfully generating leads, closing deals, and achieving revenue targets.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel as needed for networking events, conferences, trade shows, and business activities.

Working Conditions

• Based on the need to communicate with business units in multiple time zones, off-hours and some overtime will likely be required.
• Annual travel requirements—both domestic and international—may add up to approximately 35%.
• The onsite job location will be at our Marysville, OH office, with a minimum of 4 days per workweek in the office required. One remote workday per week may be possible with prior departmental approval.

Benefits

• Competitive Base Salary (pay will be based on several variables that include, but are not limited to, geographic location, work experience, etc.).
• Regional Bonus (when applicable).
• Manager Lease Car Program (No Cost - Car, Maintenance, and Insurance included).
• Industry-leading Benefit Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, Rx).
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, shutdown.
• Company Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
• 401K Plan with company match + additional contribution.
• Relocation assistance (if eligible).
• Career Growth: Advancement Opportunities, Career Mobility, Education Reimbursement for Continued Learning, Training and Development Programs.
• Lifestyle Account.
• Childcare Reimbursement Account.
• Elder Care Support.
• Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Repayment.
• Wellbeing Program.
• Community Service and Engagement Programs.
• Product Programs.