Project Manager - Vehicle Durability / Field Operational Test

Applus IDIADA; Corona (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

APPLUS IDIADA is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead a large-scale autonomous vehicle testing program across multiple locations in the United States. You will oversee field operational test activities, coordinating a substantial fleet of test vehicles with advanced sensor systems.

The role requires strong leadership, extensive PM experience, and the ability to manage logistics across distributed operations while ensuring safety and budget compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field is required.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or related discipline is preferred but not required.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or similar process improvement credentials is a plus.
• Equivalent combination of education and extensive relevant experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large-scale autonomous vehicle testing program across multiple locations in the United States.
• Oversee field operational test activities involving a substantial fleet of test vehicles with advanced sensor systems.
• Manage all aspects of multi-site operations, including team coordination, vehicle fleet management, route planning, safety compliance, and client relationship management.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for client communications, ensuring deliverables meet deadlines and budgets, with safety and quality at the forefront.
• Opportunity for future business growth within the US with support from IDIADA HQ and other units.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Budget management

Communication

Problem solving

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Business/Operations

Master's degree in Engineering/Business

PMP certification

Lean Six Sigma certification

Job description

Project Manager - Vehicle Durability / Field Operational Test

• Full-time
• Compensation: USD 120,000 - USD 160,000 - yearly

Applus+ IDIADA is a global partner to the automotive industry, supporting its clients in their product development activities by providing design, engineering, testing and homologation services. As a TOP Employer certified company, we have a large team of more than 3000 professionals drawn from over 22 countries, as well as an international network of subsidiaries and branch offices in 25 countries which ensures that our clients get customized, added-value solutions. IDIADA offers you the opportunity to develop a career in one of the worldwide leading automotive engineering companies.

At Applus IDIADA we are looking for talent to help us shaping the mobility of tomorrow with safer, more efficient, and sustainable vehicles. With presence in 22 countries, we offer job positions around the world and internal / transversal mobility within the company. The automotive sector is currently living a moment of deep technological change. At IDIADA, we focus on constant innovation to adapt our services’ portfolio to an ever-changing environment. Therefore, as part of our team, we expect you to be dynamic and eager to learn and grow with us.

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead a large-scale autonomous vehicle testing program across multiple locations in the United States. This role will oversee comprehensive field operational test (FOT) activities involving asubstantialfleet of test vehicles equipped with advanced sensor systems for data collection.

The successful candidate will manage all aspects of multi-site operations, including team coordination, vehicle fleet management, route planning, safety compliance, and client relationship management. This position requires strong leadership skills, technical understanding of autonomous vehicle systems, and the ability to manage complexlogisticsacross distributed operations.

The Project Manager will serve as the primary point of contact for client communications, ensuring project deliverables are met on time and within budget whilemaintainingthe highest standards of safety and quality.

The project's success will create potential future opportunities for the Project Manager for business growth in different engineering fields in the United States, with support from international teams from IDIADA Headquarters and other IDIADA Business Units.

Professional Profile

Minimum7years of project management experience, preferably in automotive, technology, or field operations environments.

At least 5 years of experience in field operations management, public road durabilitytestingor automotive testing programs(preferred).

Demonstrated experience with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) or autonomous vehicle testing projects.

Proventrack recordmanaging multi-site operations with distributed teams across multiple geographic locations.

Strong budget management and financial oversight experience, including P&L responsibility (preferred).

Experience managing large teams (20+ people) with diverse skill sets and responsibilities.

Familiarity with safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and risk management in automotive or testing environments.

Valid US driver's license required; willingness to travelacrosstheU.S.up to 30-40% of the time.

Experience working with international teams and clients is highly desirable but notrequired.

Exceptional leadership and people management skills withabilityto motivate and develop high-performing teams.

Outstanding communication abilities, both written and verbal, with experiencepresenting tosenior leadership.

Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills withabilityto make decisions under pressure.

High adaptability and flexibility to manage changing priorities in a dynamic operational environment.

Technical aptitude with ability to understand and communicate complex autonomous vehicle systems concepts.

Excellent stakeholder management skills withdemonstratedability to build andmaintainclient relationships.

Strong organizational and time management capabilities with attention to detail.

Results-oriented mindset withfocuson meeting deadlines and achieving projectobjectives.

Collaborative approach withabilityto work effectively across different departments and organizations.

Passion for automotive technology and commitment to advancing the future of mobility.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field (required).

Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or related discipline (preferred but notrequired).

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent (highly desirable).

Lean Six Sigma certification or similar process improvement credentials (a plus).

Equivalentcombination of education and extensive relevant experience will be considered.

Job Functions:

• Must be physically able to support test preparation and execution in an outdoor environment.
• Must have a flexible schedule and be able to work extended hours and weekends.
• Meet all workplace health and safety requirements and practices.
• This role requires the ability to sit, stand, and work for extended periods of time in an office setting.
• This role may require occasional travel

Schedule:

• Monday to Saturday

APPLUS IDIADA is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

APPLUS IDIADA is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.