Principal Vehicle Platform Engineer - Fleet-as-a-Service (FaaS) Program

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.; Marysville (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Base Salary

Relocation assistance

Industry-leading benefits

Job summary

American Honda Motor Company, Inc. in Marysville, OH seeks a Lead Platform Vehicle Engineer to oversee engineers, designers, testers, and suppliers to meet quality, performance, and safety standards.

You will lead the vehicle platform design for FaaS programs, coordinate with divisions and suppliers, and ensure timely delivery of materials and adherence to milestones.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's level degree in Mechanical or Automotive or relevant STEM field.
• 12+ years of related automotive/powersports experience.
• Demonstrated vehicle platform development experience.
• Ability to manage costs and build business plans.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee vehicle platform design and development for FaaS vehicle programs.
• Coordinate with suppliers, vendors and internal teams to meet milestones and quality standards.
• Review CATIA models and drawings; establish technical specifications and pass/fail criteria.
• Manage project milestones within scope, budget and time constraints.
• Provide leadership across cross-functional teams and external partners.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Cost management

Engineering analysis

Communications

Travel willingness

Problem solving

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Automotive or related STEM field

Tools

CATIA

Job description

What Makes a Honda, Is Who Makes a Honda

Honda has a clear vision for the future, and it’s a joyful one. We are looking for individuals with the skills, courage, persistence, and dreams that will help us reach our future‑focused goals. At our core is innovation. Honda is constantly innovating and developing solutions to drive our business with record success. We strive to be a company that serves as a source of “power” that supports people around the world who are trying to do things based on their own initiative and that helps people expand their own potential. To this end, Honda strives to realize “the joy and freedom of mobility” by developing new technologies and an innovative approach to achieve a “zero environmental footprint.”

We are looking for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, continuous improvement values, and a strong work ethic to join our team.

If your goals and values align with Honda’s, we want you to join our team to Bring the Future!

Job Purpose

• The Lead Platform Vehicle Engineer will oversee engineers, designers, testers, and suppliers to ensure that our products meet the specified standards of quality, performance, and safety.
• Will be responsible for leading and coordinating the vehicle platform design and development of FaaS vehicle, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, ensuring timely delivery of quality materials and services, and resolving any issues that may arise.
• Selecting the appropriate maker layouts and maintaining development schedules.

• The Lead Platform Vehicle Engineer will also lead projects and teams, set milestones and ensure on time results, communicate effectively with stakeholders, coordinate with and manage partnerships with other divisions/Honda companies, vendors and suppliers, support the team in developing new methodologies and partnerships.
• They will coordinate and oversee all contracted work for the vehicle including but not limited to overseeing and reviewing FEA runs and results, quality checks and approvals, and technical reviews of the vehicle.
• This role holds accountability for the overall vehicle platform, including integration across all systems and final technical outcomes, and operates as the primary technical authority to ensure alignment across cross‑functional stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities

Development and Production Coordination

• Responsible for leading and coordinating the vehicle design and development of FaaS vehicle, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, ensuring timely delivery of quality materials and services, and resolving any issues that may arise.
• Monitor supplier performance and conduct regular audits and reviews.
• Collaborate with internal teams such as engineering, production, and quality to align supplier capabilities with business needs and set objectives and milestones related to vehicle development.
• Provide direction and feedback to design and development teams, set and enforce vehicle‑level technical specifications, and review test results.
• Lead evaluations for feasibility, cost‑effectiveness, and quality of design and development solutions.
• Approve and validate CATIA models and drawings to ensure alignment with overall vehicle requirements.
• Think critically and apply fundamental engineering principles to complex targets.
• Approve CATIA models and drawings.
• Set technical specifications and determine pass or fail standards.

Project Management

• Responsible for the development and execution of powertrain related project milestones within scope, budget, and time constraints.
• Define objectives, scope, and deliverables, and coordinate with stakeholders and team members throughout the project.
• Monitor and control project progress, quality, and risks, and communicate project status and issues to relevant parties.
• Plan and coordinate activities with design, test, production, and suppliers.
• Create schedules and milestones.
• Lead meetings, keep track of open and upcoming items and provide status reports.

Lead Teams

• Responsible for ensuring effective collaboration and communication among team members and stakeholders.
• Identify gaps and needs, while moving projects forward to meet deadlines.
• Manage partnerships with other divisions/Honda companies, vendors and suppliers across multiple functional areas.
• Identify short and long‑term function needs, develop plans and proposals.
• Provide leadership across cross‑functional and external teams, including influencing stakeholders.

Testing Oversight / Recommendations

• Responsible for reviewing vehicle related test results and ensuring adherence to quality standards and customer requirements/expectations.
• Evaluate the performance, functionality, usability, and reliability of testing solutions, and provide direction for improvement or acceptance.
• Create and actively monitor project targets and schedules cross‑functionally and address concerns without supervision.
• Responsible for confirming testing outcomes, integration requirements and final acceptance readiness.

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

• Educational qualifications: Must have a Bachelors level degree in Mechanical or Automotive or a relevant STEM field of study.
• 12+ years of related work experience in automotive and/or powersports.
• Must have demonstrable vehicle platform development related experience and knowledge of the automotive and/or powersports industry, products and technology.
• Ability to do cost management and create business plans.
• Experience supporting or leading cross‑functional projects and teams related to system‑level development.
• Strong knowledge of the automotive and/or powersports industry, products and technology.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all disciplines associated with Auto Research, Development, Sales and Manufacturing.
• 3D CATIA skills (desirable).
• Demonstrated excellent critical thinking, business judgement, negotiating, analytical and presentation skills.
• Strong initiative to align the strategy with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of resource management.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changes in business strategy to help business partners communicate solution value to key stakeholders.
• Prior start‑up environment experience will be an asset.
• Proven track record of successfully generating leads, closing deals, and achieving revenue targets.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel as needed for networking events, conferences, trade shows, and business activities.

Workstyle

• This is an onsite job. One remote workday per week may be possible with prior departmental approval.

Total Rewards

• Competitive Base Salary.
• Regional Bonus (when applicable).
• Manager Lease Car Program (No Cost - Car, Maintenance, and Insurance included).
• Industry‑leading Benefit Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, Rx).
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, shutdown.
• Company Paid Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability.
• 401K Plan with company match and additional contribution.
• Relocation assistance (if eligible).

Career Growth

• Advancement Opportunities.
• Career Mobility.
• Education Reimbursement for Continued learning.
• Training and Development Programs.

Additional Offerings

• Lifestyle Account.
• Childcare Reimbursement Account.
• Elder Care Support.
• Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Repayment.
• Wellbeing Program.
• Community Service and Engagement Programs.
• Product Programs.

Honda is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.