Manager - Vehicle Upper Body Architecture

Mahindra And Mahindra Limited; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,800,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Mahindra And Mahindra Limited is seeking a Manager - VA (Upperbody Architecture) to lead the development of the upper body architecture from concept to production. You will define interfaces between BIW, closures, glass, roof systems, and trim, ensuring optimal packaging and manufacturability, while driving modular platform commonality.

The role requires 12–14 years in automotive body engineering with deep expertise in vehicle integration and experience across full vehicle programs.

Qualifications

• 12–14 years of experience in Automotive Body Engineering, Vehicle Architecture, or Vehicle Integration.
• Strong expertise in Upper Body Architecture and Body Structure Integration.
• Experience across complete vehicle development cycles from concept through production.
• Experience with automotive OEMs or Tier‑1 suppliers is preferred.
• Industry Preferred: Passenger Vehicles, EV, Hybrid, Commercial Vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the definition and development of vehicle upper body architecture from concept to production.
• Establish architectural layouts for the upper body structure aligning with platform strategy and product requirements.
• Define and manage critical interfaces between BIW, Closures, Glass, Roof Systems, Exterior Trim, and Interior systems.
• Ensure optimized package space while balancing structural performance, occupant comfort, visibility, styling, and manufacturability.
• Drive architectural decisions supporting modularity and platform commonality.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and mentor engineering staff on architecture principles.

Skills

Upper Body Architecture

Vehicle Packaging

BIW

Interface Management

DFMEA

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

Siemens NX

Teamcenter/PLM

DMU/Vis Mockup

Microsoft Office

JIRA

Job description

Manager - VA (Upperbody Architecture)

Responsibilities & Key Deliverables

Upper Body Architecture Development

• Lead the definition and development of vehicle upper body architecture from concept to production.
• Establish architectural layouts for the upper body structure, ensuring alignment with vehicle platform strategy and product requirements.
• Define and manage critical interfaces between Body‑in‑White (BIW), Closures, Glass, Roof Systems, Exterior Trim, and Interior systems.
• Ensure optimized package space while balancing structural performance, occupant comfort, visibility, styling, and manufacturability.
• Drive architectural decisions supporting modularity and platform commonality.

Vehicle Integration & Packaging

• Lead upper body packaging activities, ensuring compatibility between structural, functional, and aesthetic requirements.
• Resolve cross‑functional packaging conflicts involving roof, windshield, side glass, pillars, doors, tailgate, sealing systems, and interior trim.
• Support Digital Mock‑Up (DMU) reviews and package validation throughout product development.
• Coordinate engineering changes impacting upper body architecture.

Structural & Interface Management

• Define architecture requirements for: Roof structure A, B, C & D pillars, Windshield and backlite interfaces, Side glass systems, Door apertures, Roof rails, Tailgate/liftgate interfaces, Weather sealing systems, Exterior trim interfaces.
• Ensure proper dimensional control, gap & flush, tolerance stack‑up, and assembly feasibility.

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with Styling, BIW, Closures, Exterior, Interior, Safety, Manufacturing, CAE, Validation, Supplier Engineering, and Program Management teams.
• Lead architecture and integration reviews across vehicle development milestones.
• Drive engineering trade‑off decisions considering cost, weight, performance, timing, quality, and customer expectations.
• Mentor engineering teams on architecture principles, interface management, and vehicle integration.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure upper body architecture meets applicable safety and regulatory requirements, including: Roof crush performance, Side impact requirements, Occupant protection, Pedestrian protection (where applicable), Visibility regulations, ECE, FMVSS, AIS, and global standards.
• Support crashworthiness and structural optimization activities in collaboration with CAE teams.

Validation & Engineering Support

• Support virtual validation, prototype builds, and production trials.
• Analyze architecture‑related issues during development and validation.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure robust engineering change management throughout the product lifecycle.

Continuous Improvement

• Develop and standardize upper body architecture guidelines and best practices.
• Drive modular architecture initiatives across vehicle platforms.
• Capture and implement lessons learned for future vehicle programs.
• Promote innovation in lightweight design, manufacturability, and system integration.

Experience

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related discipline.

12–14 years of experience in Automotive Body Engineering, Vehicle Architecture, or Vehicle Integration.

Strong expertise in Upper Body Architecture and Body Structure Integration.

Experience across complete vehicle development cycles from concept through production.

Experience working with automotive OEMs or Tier‑1 suppliers is preferred.

Industry Preferred: Passenger Vehicles, Electric Vehicles (EV), Hybrid Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles, Automotive OEMs or Tier-1 Suppliers.

General Requirements

• Upper Body Architecture
• Vehicle Architecture & Integration
• Body‑in‑White (BIW)
• Vehicle Packaging
• Structural Interface Management
• Closures Integration
• Roof Systems
• Glass & Sealing Systems
• Exterior and Interior Interface Management
• Gap & Flush Engineering
• Tolerance Stack‑up Analysis
• GD&T Digital Mock‑Up (DMU)
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Design for Assembly (DFA)
• DFMEA Engineering Change Management
• Root Cause Analysis
• Regulatory Compliance (FMVSS, ECE, AIS)

Preferred Tools

• CATIA V5/V6
• Siemens NX
• Teamcenter/PLM ENOVIA 3DCS or Variation Analysis Tools
• DMU/Vis Mockup
• Microsoft Office
• JIRA (preferred)

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Experience Level Mid Level