Director, Vehicle Systems & Propulsion Integration

Blue Bird Brand; Macon Township (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continued Professional Development

Medical, dental and vision insurance

14 paid holidays

401k matching

Job summary

Blue Bird Corporation seeks a Director of Vehicle Systems & Propulsion Integration to lead the overall technical leadership, systems integration, and execution of Project Thunderbird. You will oversee propulsion, mechanical, electrical, controls, diagnostics, thermal management, validation, certification, and manufacturing readiness.

You will manage multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, and partners to deliver a vehicle meeting customer requirements, regulatory standards, quality, cost, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive automotive/commercial vehicle engineering experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams or major programs.
• 7+ years in automotive or aerospace systems engineering; proven delivery of complex integrated products.

Responsibilities

• Lead complete vehicle systems integration strategy from concept through production launch.
• Direct propulsion, thermal, chassis, electrical, controls, software, diagnostics, and interfaces integration.
• Establish architecture, requirements, interfaces, configuration management, and governance processes.
• Lead cross-functional teams to meet program timing, cost, quality, mass, durability, manufacturability, and certification goals.
• Develop and execute technical roadmaps, schedules, milestones, and resource plans.
• Own risk identification, mitigation, and executive escalation processes.
• Lead engineering reviews (design, architecture, validation, launch readiness) and production approvals.
• Oversee vehicle-level validation activities and regulatory certifications (FMVSS, EPA/CARB).

Skills

Vehicle systems integration

Propulsion integration

Systems engineering

Executive leadership

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

About Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director, Vehicle Systems & Propulsion Integration is responsible for the overall technical leadership, systems integration, and successful execution of Project Thunderbird, Blue Bird's next-generation commercial stripped chassis platform. This position provides strategic and operational leadership for complete vehicle integration, including propulsion, mechanical, electrical, controls, diagnostics, thermal management, validation, certification, manufacturing readiness, and launch execution.

Reporting to the Vice President, Chassis Engineering, the Director leads multidisciplinary engineering teams, suppliers, and external engineering partners to deliver a vehicle that meets customer requirements, regulatory compliance, quality, timing, cost, and performance objectives. The role serves as the technical authority for complete vehicle integration and provides executive leadership through program planning, technical decision-making, risk management, budget ownership, and cross-functional collaboration.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the complete vehicle systems integration strategy for Project Thunderbird from concept through production launch and early field support.


• Direct the integration of propulsion, thermal, chassis, electrical, controls, software, diagnostics, braking, steering, suspension, fuel, EVAP, exhaust, and body builder interfaces.


• Establish and maintain vehicle architecture, system requirements, interface definitions, configuration management, and engineering governance processes.


• Lead cross-functional engineering teams to achieve program timing, cost, quality, mass, durability, manufacturability, and certification objectives.


• Develop and execute technical roadmaps, engineering schedules, milestone plans, and resource strategies aligned with overall program objectives.


• Own technical risk identification, mitigation planning, issue resolution, and executive escalation processes.


• Lead engineering design reviews, architecture reviews, validation reviews, launch readiness reviews, and production approval activities.


• Direct vehicle-level validation activities including DFMEA, DVP&R, durability, thermal performance, NVH, emissions, OBD, diagnostics, FMVSS, EPA/CARB certification, functional safety, cybersecurity, and production readiness.


• Ensure engineering deliverables satisfy customer requirements, regulatory standards, manufacturing capability, warranty objectives, and serviceability expectations.


• Establish engineering acceptance criteria and manage technical performance of suppliers, engineering service providers, consultants, and development partners.


• Manage departmental operating budgets, engineering services, prototype expenditures, validation spending, cost forecasts, cost-to-complete estimates, and engineering resource planning.


• Monitor vehicle mass, costed BOM, engineering budgets, and design targets to protect product profitability and business objectives.


• Build and develop a high-performing engineering organization through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and performance management.


• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Quality, Program Management, Service, Warranty, Sales, Finance, Legal, and executive leadership to ensure program success.


• Present technical recommendations, program status, risks, financial impacts, and strategic decisions to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.


• Represent Blue Bird with customers, suppliers, regulatory agencies, certification organizations, strategic partners, and industry organizations.


• Drive continuous improvement of engineering processes, systems engineering practices, product development methodologies, and organizational capability.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS

• Demonstrated leadership of complete vehicle development programs from concept through production launch.


• Extensive knowledge of commercial vehicle engineering, vehicle architecture, propulsion integration, systems engineering, and product development.


• Strong understanding of propulsion systems, thermal management, chassis systems, electrical architecture, controls, diagnostics, and vehicle integration.


• Working knowledge of FMVSS, EPA, CARB, OBD, functional safety, cybersecurity, and commercial vehicle certification requirements.


• Strong knowledge of engineering validation methodologies including DFMEA, DVP&R, design reviews, root cause analysis, and launch readiness.


• Excellent program management, organizational, and technical decision-making skills.


• Demonstrated ability to balance technical, financial, schedule, quality, and customer priorities.


• Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and influencing skills across all organizational levels.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced product development environment.


• Strong financial acumen including engineering budgets, cost forecasting, costed BOM management, and capital planning.


• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with customers, suppliers, engineering partners, and executive leadership.


• Ability to develop high-performing technical teams and establish a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.

BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.


• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive engineering experience in automotive or commercial vehicle product development.


• Minimum of five (5) years of engineering leadership experience managing multidisciplinary engineering organizations or major vehicle development programs.


• 7+ years in automotive or aerospace systems engineering, with a proven track record of delivering complex integrated products


• All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hi

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.


• Experience in commercial vehicles, vocational vehicles, medium-duty trucks, or incomplete vehicle development.

WE VALUE

• Strategic systems thinker with the ability to connect engineering decisions to customer value, business performance, and long-term product strategy.


• Results-oriented leader who drives accountability, execution, and continuous improvement.


• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance technical excellence and commercial objectives.


• Collaborative leadership style with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.


• Ability to make sound decisions using data, engineering judgment, and business priorities.


• Commitment to safety, quality, integrity, and engineering excellence.


• Passion for developing talent and building high-performing engineering organizations.


• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving product development environment.


• High level of professionalism, executive presence, and customer focus.

INCLUDES

• Continued Professional Development


• Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching

WORK CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office environment and production environment


• Must work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise


• Fast-paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal


• Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time


• You must wear appropriate PPE when and where required


• Frequent weeks working 40+ hours


• Frequent communication with people throughout the day


• Travel up to 20%

*The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Blue Bird® is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.

All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

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