Project Vehicle Systems Synthesis Manager – Advanced Programs

Stellantis Financial Services; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellantis Financial Services is seeking a Project Vehicle Systems Synthesis Manager to lead the integration and synthesis of all vehicle systems, bridging chassis, powertrain, body, and electrical teams for optimal performance, quality, and customer experience.

You will oversee vehicle-level attribute balancing, performance target setting, and benchmarking, driving cross-functional alignment from concept through contract milestone.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of automotive development experience, including vehicle integration, vehicle dynamics, or system engineering.
• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams through full product lifecycle.
• Ability to manage direct and non-direct reports across multiple disciplines.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to simplify complex engineering topics for management.

Responsibilities

• Lead Vehicle Integration across engineering domains to achieve functional objectives.
• Define, track, and balance vehicle-level targets (weight, aero, fuel economy, ride/handling).
• Lead cross-functional teams through concept, powertrain selection, development timing and budget roll-ups.
• Collaborate with packaging, powertrain, weight, and aerodynamics teams to optimize performance.
• Lead vehicle integration reviews and milestone scorecard assessments.
• Ensure packaging and functional requirements meet performance at a competitive cost.
• Develop and coach a team of vehicle integration and synthesis engineers.
• Drive benchmarking, performance analysis, and technical target derivation.

Skills

Vehicle integration

Systems engineering

Team leadership

Problem solving

Decision making

Presentation skills

Understanding vehicle attributes

Engineering storytelling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Masters preferred

Job description

The Project Vehicle Systems Synthesis Manager is responsible for leading the integration and synthesis of all vehicle systems to achieve world-class performance, quality, and customer experience targets. This role serves as the technical bridge between chassis, powertrain, body, and electrical teams - ensuring that all subsystems come together as one cohesive and optimized vehicle.You will oversee vehicle-level attribute balancing, performance target setting, and benchmarking, driving cross-functional alignment from concept through contract milestone.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Vehicle Integration: Own the vehicle synthesis process, ensuring alignment across engineering domains to achieve vehicle functional objectives.
• Attribute Management: Define, track, and balance vehicle-level targets (weight, aero, fuel economy, ride/handling, towing, etc.) across programs.
• Vehicle Development Leadership: Guide cross-functional teams through concept definition, powertrain selection, development timing, budget roll-ups, and competitive assessments.
• Performance Optimization: Work closely with packaging, powertrain, weight and aerodynamics teams to deliver best-in-class vehicles.
• Technical Reviews: Lead vehicle integration reviews and program milestone scorecard assessments.
• System Compatibility: Ensure packaging and functional requirements are met while maintaining performance at a competitive cost.
• Team Development: Lead a team of vehicle integration and synthesis engineers; foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
• Benchmarking and Target Setting: Lead competitive vehicle benchmarking, performance analysis, and technical target derivation.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of automotive development experience - preferably including experience in vehicle integration, vehicle dynamics, or system engineering
• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams through the full product lifecycle.
• Work effectively and manage direct and non-direct reports across multiple unique disciplines
• Must be a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and a self-directed process thinkerwith well-developed problem-solving skills
• Deep understanding of vehicle attributes, system interactions, and trade-off management
• Ability to simplify complex engineering topics, develop and deliver a presentation concisely to all levels of management
• Ability to make quick decisions using sound engineering logicwhile representing the Voice of the Customer
• Ability to define the engineering logic behind features and systems critical to the customer experience
• Passion for vehicles, the customer, and continuous innovation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field.
• A minimum of 10 years or more of automotive development experience - preferably including experience in vehicle integration, vehicle dynamics, or system engineering