Director - Proving Grounds - International Motors

International; New Carlisle (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

International is seeking a Director, Proving Grounds & Test Operations to lead its premier vehicle validation network across the United States. You will oversee strategic leadership, safety, and capital planning for the proving grounds and satellite facilities, ensuring world-class support for development and certification.

You will drive operational excellence, fleet management of approximately 350 test vehicles, and regulatory compliance, while partnering with engineering and external

Qualifications

• Experience leading large-scale operations and facilities.
• Strong strategic and financial planning skills.
• Proven ability to drive safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead a world-class proving ground network and satellite facilities for next-generation vehicle development.
• Invest in testing capabilities, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
• Foster a culture of safety, innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure best-in-class safety culture in a premier testing environment.
• Maintain quality systems and test capabilities for certification, durability, powertrain, and tech validation.
• Support electrification, autonomy, connectivity, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee EPA, FMVSS, and CMVSS testing, durability, dynamics, and powertrain validation.
• Guide operating and capital strategy across a premier vehicle validation network.
• Invest in capabilities to accelerate innovation and improve performance.
• Plan long-term infrastructure and tech roadmaps for future vehicle programs.
• Shape testing experience for engineering teams and external customers.
• Plan capacity, resource allocation, and readiness across multiple sites.
• Enable faster product development through world-class execution and customer service.
• Manage a fleet of ~350 test vehicles, including strategy, logistics, maintenance, lifecycle.
• Develop workforce strategies for right talent and capacity.
• Ensure readiness across key testing locations in North America.
• Build high-performing teams and culture of accountability, inclusion, learning, leadership.
• Foster partnerships with communities, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Drive site acquisition, development, and investment decisions across a growing network.
• Provide real estate, facility, and infrastructure strategies for expansion.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Position Overview

The Director, Proving Grounds & Test Operations, is responsible for the strategic leadership,
operational excellence, and financial performance of the company's primary proving
grounds and satellite test facilities supporting the verification and validation of commercial
vehicle products. This role oversees all facility operations, testing infrastructure, fleet
management, safety, regulatory compliance, staffing, and capital planning to ensure
world-class support for product development, certification, and vehicle validation
activities.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Facility Management

WHAT YOU'LL LEAD

• A world-class proving ground and four satellite test facilities supporting next-generation vehicle development.
• Strategic investments in testing capabilities, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
• A culture of safety, innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

WHAT YOU'LL CHAMPION

• A best-in-class safety culture across one of the industry's most advanced testing environments.
• Quality systems and test capabilities supporting certification, durability, powertrain, and advanced technology validation.
• Future-ready operations supporting electrification, autonomy, connectivity, and evolving regulatory requirements.

KEY TESTING CAPABILITIES

EPA, FMVSS, and CMVSS compliance testing | Durability, vehicle dynamics, and powertrain validation | Electrification, energy management, and emerging technology testing

Financial & Capital Leadership

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

• Operating and capital strategy across a premier vehicle validation network.
• Investments that expand capabilities, accelerate innovation, and improve performance.
• Long-term infrastructure and technology roadmaps supporting future vehicle programs.

Customer & Test Operations

WHAT YOU'LL INFLUENCE

• The testing experience for engineering teams and external customers.
• Capacity planning, resource allocation, and operational readiness across multiple sites.
• Faster product development through world-class execution and customer-focused service.

Fleet Operations & Logistics

WHAT YOU'LL INFLUENCE

• A fleet of approximately 350 test vehicles supporting critical development and validation programs.
• Fleet strategy, logistics, maintenance, and lifecycle planning across a multi-site network.
• Continuous improvement in availability, reliability, utilization, and cost performance.

Driver Operations & Workforce Planning

WHAT YOU'LL DELIVER

• A high-performing driver operations organization supporting year-round testing activities.
• Workforce strategies that ensure the right talent, capacity, and expertise are in place.
• Operational readiness across key testing locations throughout North America.

Talent & Organizational Leadership

WHAT YOU'LL BUILD

• High-performing teams ready to support today's testing needs and tomorrow's technologies.
• A culture of accountability, inclusion, learning, and leadership development.
• Organizational capability through succession planning, mentoring, and talent growth.

Community & External Relations

WHAT YOU'LL INFLUENCE

• The reputation of one of the industry's premier validation and testing organizations.
• Strategic partnerships with community leaders, economic development organizations, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Community engagement that strengthens trust, visibility, and long-term growth.

Government & Property Strategy

WHAT YOU'LL DRIVE

• Partnerships with municipalities, government agencies, and regulatory stakeholders that enable future growth.
• Real estate, facility, and infrastructure strategies supporting expansion and operational capability.
• Site acquisition, development, and investment decisions across a growing testing network.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and at least 11 years of operations management experience
• At least 6 years of management experience

OR

• Master's degree and at least 9 years of operations management experience
• At least 6 years of management experience

OR

• At least 14 years of operations management experience
• At least 6 years of management experience

Additional Requirements

• Qualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. We do not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status)

Benefits And Compensation

This position offers competitive market-based compensation, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing. You can learn more about the benefits offered for this position by visiting https://careers.international.com/#benefits. The expected salary offered for this position will fall within the stated range, with the final offer based on the candidates' applicable skills, knowledge, and experience.

Company Overview

About TRATON

With its brands Scania, MAN, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus, TRATON SE is the parent and holding company of the TRATON GROUP and one