Job Description

Inside the Role

The Senior Vice President of Product Engineering & Technology is the executive leader responsible for defining and delivering DTNA’s engineering strategy, product technology roadmap, and vehicle development execution. This role oversees all engineering activities supporting the Freightliner and Western Star Class 6–8 product lines, while also providing strategic engineering guidance to Specialty Vehicles (Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) and Thomas Built Buses (TBB)). This executive plays a critical role in shaping the future of DTNA’s products — leading innovation in advanced propulsion, connectivity, and digital engineering — and ensuring DTNA continues to lead the commercial vehicle industry in quality, innovation, and customer value. The Senior Vice President is a key member of the TN OpCom and contributes to enterprise strategy, business performance, and broader organizational transformation initiatives.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience

Benefits include annual variable pay bonus program; company paid company vehicle with insurance and fuel card; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; non-qualified deferred compensation plan with company contribution of 7% of variable pay;  starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ holidays per calendar year; Paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive health care plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance program; volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans.

What You Drive at DTNA

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Lead all vehicle engineering and product development functions, including Product Validation, Product Integrity, Vehicle & Systems Engineering, Product Engineering, Project Phoenix, Project Mosaic, and Autonomous Trucking.

• Establish and continuously evolve long term engineering and technology strategy aligned with DTNA’s business objectives and global Daimler Truck technology direction.

• Serve as a member of DTNA’s OpCom contributing to enterprise level‑ decisions as well as overall business alignment and execution of DTNA’s top imperatives:

  • Product Complexity Optimization

  • Continuous Improvement System

  • Organizational Structure Evolution

  • Total Cost of Quality – Opcom Sponsor

  • Services Growth

  • Vocational Growth

• Represent DTNA’s engineering and technology interests externally with customers, suppliers, regulatory agencies and industry associations

2. Product Development & Validation

• Lead product validation engineering, ensuring comprehensive validation strategies, test execution, and compliance to confirm systems and vehicles meet performance, durability, safety, and regulatory requirements prior to launch.

• Lead end-to-end vehicle engineering strategy and execution, including vehicle architecture, platform management, and concept development from early concept through production, ensuring alignment to enterprise priorities and product roadmap.

• Own vehicle-level performance and target delivery, driving cross-functional accountability for fuel efficiency, weight, thermal performance, and final vehicle configuration to meet cost, quality, and regulatory objectives.

• Oversee integrated systems engineering and delivery, including requirements definition, system ownership, feature and software integration, and coordination across hardware, mechatronics, and global development teams

• Direct component and supplier engineering execution, including design and release authority, supplier interface, verification planning, and governance of engineering processes, tools, and documentation to ensure quality and scalability.

3. Technology & Innovation Strategy

• Lead the definition and execution of DTNA’s advanced technology roadmap, balancing innovation with cost discipline, quality expectations and time to market commitments.

• Translate long-term‑ technology trends into executable product roadmaps.

4. Product Integrity & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure all products meet regulatory, safety, and emissions compliance requirements across North American markets.

• Partner with regulatory affairs and external agencies to anticipate and prepare for future requirements.

5. Cross Functional‑ & Global Collaboration

• Work closely with:

  • Manufacturing and Supply Chain

  • Sales, Marketing, and Customer Engineering

  • Global Daimler Truck engineering organizations

• Drive cross functional‑ alignment from concept through production and field performance.

6. Talent, Culture & Capability Building

• Build and lead a high performing‑ engineering organization with strong succession and technical depth.

• Develop next generation‑ engineering leaders and foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and customer focus.

• Promote collaboration across brands and platforms to maximize scale and reuse.

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

• 14+ years of progressive experience in heavy vehicle engineering

• Senior leadership experience overseeing large, complex engineering organizations

• Deep knowledge of:

  • Commercial vehicle product development

  • Regulatory and compliance environments

  • Validation and quality systems

• Proven ability to lead cross functional‑ and global teams

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-

Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance for this position is available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

U.S. Visa sponsorship available if you qualify under the following:

• Hold a valid existing Visa (L1A, L1B, L2, TN, H1B, H4 EAD, OPT EAD, CPT)
• Daimler Truck North America employees working under an existing U.S. Daimler Truck North America Visa
• Those eligible for a TN Visa (Canadian or Mexican National working in an Engineering, Accounting or Scientific Technologist capacity with an aligning degree)
• Those eligible for an L-1 (inter-company) Daimler Truck visa under the Corporate Blanket L-1 program would require at least one-year of qualifying experience in the last three years

Additional Information

• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.