Manager, Systems & Functional Safety

FEV North America, Inc.; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

FEV North America, Inc. in Auburn Hills, MI seeks an engineering leader to drive Systems Engineering and Functional Safety.

You will build and grow the practice, lead customer programs with OEMs, Tier-1s, and mobility projects, and shape strategy, roadmaps, and technical direction. The role requires deep domain expertise across requirements engineering, system architecture, integration, verification, validation, and safety cases, plus strong people leadership and business development skills to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering is required.
• Master's degree in engineering preferred.
• PhD in engineering asset.

Responsibilities

• Build, mentor, and grow a high-performing engineering team.
• Lead customer programs with OEMs, Tier-1s, and mobility projects.
• Define growth strategy, technical roadmap, and capabilities.
• Support business development, proposals, statements of work, and project estimation.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Functional Safety

Leadership

Customer-facing

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

DOORS

Polarion

Jama

Cameo

Job description

We are seeking an engineering leader with strong technical depth, an entrepreneurial mindset, and exceptional customer-facing skills. The ideal candidate combines expertise in Systems Engineering and Functional Safety with the ability to build teams, develop customer relationships, and drive business growth. You are equally comfortable leading technical discussions with engineering teams and presenting strategies, project updates, and solutions to customer and executive stakeholders. You will help build and grow our Systems Engineering & Functional Safety practice while supporting leading OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and emerging mobility programs.

Job Type

Full-time

Build & Grow the Practice

• Develop and expand the Systems Engineering & Functional Safety service portfolio.
• Help define the organization's growth strategy, technical roadmap, and future capabilities.
• Identify new business opportunities and support strategic customer engagements.
• Contribute to business development activities, proposal preparation, statements of work, and project estimation.

Lead Customer Programs

• Provide technical leadership for projects involving:
• Systems Engineering
• Functional Safety
• Support customers throughout the product development lifecycle, including:
• Requirements Engineering
• System Architecture
• Integration
• Verification & Validation
• Safety Engineering

Develop People & Teams

• Build, mentor, and grow a high-performing engineering team.
• Coach engineers and technical leads.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, technical excellence, and accountability.
• Support recruiting and talent development activities.

Ensure Technical Excellence

• Lead reviews and approvals of key Functional Safety work products, including:
• Item Definition
• HARA
• FSC
• TSC
• Safety Requirements
• Safety Cases
• Ensure compliance with industry standards such as:
• ISO 26262
• ISO 21448 (SOTIF)
• ASPICE
• ISO/SAE 21434
• IEC 61508

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in Systems Engineering, Functional Safety, or Safety-Critical Product Development.
• OEM, Tier-1, Aerospace, Defense, or other safety-critical industry experience.
• Experience leading technical teams, projects, or engineering initiatives.
• Proven success working directly with customers and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience supporting technical proposals, project planning, and customer engagements.
• Strong understanding of Systems Engineering principles and development lifecycles.
• Functional Safety experience according to ISO 26262 and SOTIF.
• Knowledge of safety analysis methods including:
• HARA
• FMEA
• FMEDA
• FTA
• Familiarity with modern technologies such as:
• SDV
• Electrification
• ADAS
• Autonomous Systems
• Connectivity
• Embedded Software
• Experience with DOORS, Polarion, Jama, Cameo, or equivalent engineering tools.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to build and grow a business capability.
• Strong communication and customer-facing skills.
• Ability to balance technical leadership with business objectives.
• Passion for mentoring engineers and developing future leaders.
• Comfortable presenting technical strategies, project status, and business opportunities to customer leadership and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to translate complex technical topics into clear business value propositions.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder.

Education/Special Knowledge

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, preferably from Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics Engineering (required).
• Master's degree in engineering, preferably from Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics Engineering(preferred).
• PhD's Degree in engineering, preferably from Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics Engineering (asset).