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

About the Role

The Lead Platform Vehicle Engineer will oversee engineers, designers, testers, and suppliers to ensure that our products meet the specified standards of quality, performance, and safety. This role is responsible for leading and coordinating the vehicle platform design and development of FaaS vehicle, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and organizational goals. The Lead Platform Vehicle Engineer will also lead projects and teams, set milestones, ensure on-time results, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and manage partnerships with other divisions, Honda companies, vendors, and suppliers.

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the vehicle 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.
• 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 and set technical specifications and 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, and provide status reports.
• Ensure effective collaboration and communication among team members and stakeholders, identify gaps and needs, and move 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, and provide leadership across cross-functional and external teams.
• 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

• Bachelor’s level degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering or a relevant STEM field of study.
• 12+ years of related work experience in automotive and/or powersports.
• Demonstrable vehicle platform development-related experience.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the automotive and/or powersports industry, products, and technology.
• Experience in cost management and creating business plans.
• Experience supporting or leading cross-functional projects and teams related to system-level development.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all disciplines associated with Auto Research, Development, Sales, and Manufacturing.

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.
• Excellent critical thinking, business judgment, negotiating, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Proven track record of successfully generating leads, closing deals, and achieving revenue targets (desirable).
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• 3D CATIA skills (desirable).
• Prior start-up environment experience (desirable).
• Willingness to travel as needed for networking events, conferences, trade shows, and business activities.

Schedule

This is an onsite job. 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 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 and 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.