Job Description

Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of dramatic innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN.

Brief Role Description

This role leads a team of development, systems, and test engineers to design, develop, validate, and release ADAS and Automated Driving (AD) functions across VW Group platforms. It combines project and regulatory management, function development, scenario catalog maintenance, and innovation initiatives. The position oversees budgets, resources, and supplier contracts, ensures compliance with U.S. and global traffic regulations, and drives the delivery of safe, cutting-edge ADAS/AD systems from concept to end-of-production while coordinating closely with internal stakeholders and VW Group teams in the U.S. and Germany.

Role Responsibilities

Project Management - Traffic Regulations – 50%

• Plan, execute, and monitor ADAS/AD development projects including scope, schedule, cost, risk, resource allocation, and vendor/client management.
• Lead the development and execution of traffic regulation strategies to ensure Audi’s ADAS and Automated Driving systems comply with current and emerging standards.
• Collaborate with state DOTs and federal agencies to address fragmented traffic regulations affecting ADAS/AD deployment.
• Serve as Audi’s representative in regulatory discussions, advocating for innovative-friendly traffic rules that enable advanced driving technologies.
• Develop, document, and validate traffic regulation requirements to guide ADAS/AD system design and pre-development.
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess their impact on ADAS/AD technologies.
• Provide expert guidance to internal teams on compliance and system design considerations.
• Support cross-functional initiatives with vehicle software, safety, and compliance teams.
• Identify gaps in existing traffic rules and propose updates aligned with emerging ADAS/AD functionalities.
• Maintain strong relationships with regulatory bodies to anticipate and influence policy developments.

Function Development, Validation & Release – 25%

• Design, develop, and integrate ADAS/ADS features (adaptive cruise, lane keeping, automated parking, sensor fusion).
• Work with sensors and control units to build perception, planning, and actuation algorithms, system architectures, and specifications.
• Support embedded software development, simulation, modeling, and HiL/on-road testing to verify and validate system behavior.
• Document requirements, test plans, and validation results while applying functional safety and cybersecurity standards.
• Define and maintain U.S. scenario catalogs for ADAS/ADS validation; ensure consistency with global catalogs.
• Use approved tool chains (e.g., Confluence, Codebeamer, GIT, CarMaker) to manage scenarios and maintain traceability.
• Coordinate with cross-functional and global teams to identify, review, and validate scenarios through simulation and real-world drives.

Innovations – 15%

• Drive strategy and execution of ADAS/AD innovation projects for future mobility solutions.
• Lead cross-regional, objective-focused innovation initiatives leveraging modern automotive technologies.
• Adapt and implement best practices and solutions from other brands within the Volkswagen Group.
• Enable connected mobility and transportation safety through forward-looking technology solutions.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure scalable, impactful deployment of advanced technologies across markets.

Department Leadership & Ramp-up - 10%

• Build, scale, and lead a high-performing engineering team.
• Develop department policies, best practices, budgets, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Maintain positive employee environment and resolve grievances.
• Establish and maintain relationships with internal/external stakeholders, vendors, and regulators.
• Coordinate with German platform owners and global teams to ensure alignment.
• Provide regular progress reports to management, escalate issues promptly, and adjust plans based on risk or budget analysis

Qualification requirements

Years of Relevant Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in automotive R&D, Development, Regulation Compliance, verificationand validation for ADAS/AD system
• 2+ years of experence with legal relevant function approval

Education:

• Master’s degree in automotive engineering, Transportation, or related field.
• DESIRED: PhD in Engineering (mechanical, electrical, computer science or comparable)

Skills:

• Knowledge of Volkswagen Group/ AUDI AG internal product development processes and related IT-Systems
• Knowledge of Volkswagen Group/ AUDI AG internal IT processes, infrastructure and Service/ Support structure
• Effective analytical and conceptual skills to derive adequate solutions for technical problems
• Excellent planning and organization, project management and time management skills
• Responsibility to solve complex problems
• Responsibility to structure and lead a multi-national teams
• Excellent communication skills (presentation, rhetorical, influencing and negotiation)
• Open minded and empathic work style
• Excellent team player and leadership skills
• Comfortable with ambiguity and tackling new problems
• Ability to identify trends and establish a group wide solution
• Support, coach and form team culture and communication
• Strategic thinking

Required Skills

• Proven expertise with Regulation Compliance, verification and validation for ADAS/AD functions
• Demonstrated ability to engage with regulatory bodies (state DOT, federal) and influence traffic policy
• Know-how of ADAS/AD within VW group and competitors
• Ability to network with potential partner organizations
• Excellent knowledge of VW Group internal IT
• Should be familiar with automotive communication standards (CAN, FlexRay and Ethernet).
• Knowledge on industry development processes like SPICE and Scrum
• Knowledge of functional safety and SOTIF
• Knowledge of in-vehicle ADAS/AD sensing system
• Know how of handling of automotive tool chain (Vector, ADTF, dSpace, Matlab/Simulink)
• Proven project leadership skills (scope, schedule, budget, risk, release management)
• Strong English language and German language skills (written and spoken)

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of steering and braking system
• Experience with Simulation Environment
• Experience with System engineering
• Familiar with in-vehicle measurement systems
• Experience with working in Tier1/OEM environment
• Knowledge of connected mobility and emerging AD technologies
• Multicultural stakeholder management experience (U.S.–Germany)

Compensation Data

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, industry-based experience, skills, training, credentials, and other qualifications.

In the state of California (Silicon Valley), the base salary range is $165,000 - $190,000.00.

Competencies

Act as an ownerBe a pioneerExcite customerGrow personallyPerform togetherLive passionLive integrity & complianceThink ahead

Volkswagen Group of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

This role description is a guideline and does not create contractual rights between the Company and any of its applicants. The Company does not enter into any type of employment contract, implied or written, with its applicants regarding job security.

This Organization participates in E-Verify. We maintain a drug free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.