Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or Systems Engineering
10+ years in automotive product development or vehicle integration
Experience leading a full vehicle program through launch
Strong cross-functional leadership and decision-making skills
Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple workstreams
Excellent communication skills for influencing senior leadership
Advanced knowledge of digital engineering and validation methods
Responsibilities
Establish vehicle performance vision and integration strategy
Lead benchmarking and translate customer expectations into requirements
Govern performance integration and direct recovery actions
Lead technical reviews and resolve cross-attribute trade-offs
Approve validation strategies and direct test plans
Lead root-cause analysis and manage program risks
Enforce confidentiality and vehicle security protocols
Communicate performance status and recommendations to senior leadership
Benefits
Opportunities for domestic and international travel
Mentorship and leadership development programs
Access to advanced engineering tools and resources
Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams
Potential for career advancement within the organization
Full Job Description
The Senior Vehicle Performance Manager (VPM) is the vehicle-level technical authority accountable for translating customer expectations and brand objectives into executable performance requirements and validated results. This role provides strategic leadership across the full development lifecycle, from competitive benchmarking and target definition through digital and physical validation, issue resolution, launch readiness, and final performance acceptance. The VPM leads complex cross-functional decisions, anticipates program risk, mentors engineering teams, and ensures best-in-class vehicle performance at subsystem and full-vehicle levels.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Set Vehicle Performance Strategy: Establish the performance vision, priorities, and integration strategy for assigned vehicle programs, balancing customer, brand, regulatory, quality, cost, weight, timing, and technical objectives.
Direct Benchmarking and Target Development: Lead V-model benchmarking and govern CPIT and FO development, translating customer expectations into measurable, traceable requirements.
Own Performance Integration and AFOD: Govern AFOD across subsystem and vehicle levels, challenge evidence, identify gaps, and direct recovery actions.
Lead Convergence and Performance Decisions: Lead technical reviews, resolve cross-attribute trade-offs, assess vehicle behavior, and drive acceptance, escalation, or corrective action.
Govern Validation and Resource Planning: Approve DVP&R strategy and direct vehicle, test, and trip plans to support key risks, program gates, and launch readiness.
Resolve Critical Issues and Manage Risk: Lead root-cause and recovery plans, secure ownership and resources, mitigate residual risk, and provide milestone readiness recommendations.
Ensure Confidentiality and Vehicle Security: Establish and enforce confidentiality agreements, prototype-handling requirements, and vehicle security protocols across internal teams, suppliers, facilities, and development events.
Communicate to Senior Leadership: Deliver concise, evidence-based performance status, trade-off recommendations, risks, and recovery plans to executive, program, and engineering leadership.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related discipline
Minimum of 10 years of progressive automotive product development, vehicle integration, performance, or validation experience
Led at least one full vehicle program through launch, with strong expertise in systems integration, requirements, target setting, and V-model validation
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, make sound decisions under ambiguity, drive accountability, and resolve complex vehicle issues using data and structured root-cause analysis
Ability to manage competing cost, weight, timing, quality, regulatory, and customer-performance priorities across multiple workstreams
Executive-level written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to simplify complex technical issues and influence senior leadership decisions
Advanced understanding of digital engineering, CAE/simulation, physical validation, correlation methods, data analytics, and their appropriate use across the development lifecycle
Comprehensive knowledge of Attribute Teams, systems and component engineering, validation organizations, manufacturing interfaces, and their responsibilities within Product Development
Willingness and ability to support 1-2 week domestic and international development trips, including proving-ground and launch activities
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Business Administration
Experience leading vehicle-level development and validation across multiple architectures, propulsion systems, brands, or market regions
Demonstrated ownership of performance scorecards, Functional Objectives, DVP&R, and program-gate readiness assessments
Formal reactive problem-solving, Design for Six Sigma, systems engineering, or project/program management training or certification
Advanced proficiency with Stellantis corporate systems, product-development processes, and digital engineering tools
Design release, system development, vehicle calibration, CAE, test engineering, or Functional Science experience
Experience presenting program status and technical recommendations to senior leadership or executive governance forums
Prior technical lead, team lead, supervisor, or formal mentoring experience
About Stellantis
Stellantis is a multinational automotive manufacturer formed in 2021 by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA. The company designs, produces, and sells a wide range of vehicles under various brands, including Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall. Stellantis operates in over 130 countries and has 14 brands in its portfolio. The company is committed to sustainable mobility and has set ambitious targets for reducing its carbon footprint and increasing the share of electric vehicles in its sales.
