Technical Business Development Lead - HVAC Systems

MAHLE; Farmington Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

MAHLE is seeking a Technical Business Development Lead - HVAC Systems in Farmington Hills, MI, to steer HVAC module development from concept to quotes and awards. You will own the acquisition strategy, balance performance, cost, and timing, and lead cross-functional teams to win new business opportunities.

You will interact with customers as the primary technical interface, drive cost optimization, and ensure manufacturability while meeting internal standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automotive Engineering or related field.
• Experience in product development, preferably within thermal management or HVAC systems.
• Knowledge of automotive product development processes and quality tools (APQP, DFMEA, DVP&R, GD&T, virtual validation, BOM).
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, material selection, and Design-for-Manufacturing principles.
• Exposure to change management activities, RFQs/RFIs, and technical quotations.
• Strong presentation, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to lead technical discussions with customers and executive stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Validation, Program Management).

Responsibilities

• Lead HVAC module development from concept to customer quotation and award.
• Own overall HVAC module acquisition strategy in line with customer requirements and business goals.
• Drive cost optimization and design-to-cost across design, materials, and manufacturing.
• Identify technical risks early and develop mitigation strategies for successful programs.
• Serve as primary technical interface with customers during acquisition, leading discussions and negotiations.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to support acquisition activities.
• Develop competitive acquisition strategies balancing innovation, risk, profitability, quality, and timing.
• Foster a culture focused on execution, accountability, and customer value.

Skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Automotive Engineering or related field

Job description

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Technical Business Development Lead - HVAC Systems

Together, we move the world—we’ve been doing it for over 100 years. At MAHLE, as a leading international development partner and systems supplier to the automotive industry, we pursue the objective of making mobility more efficient, more environmentally friendly, more convenient, and more economical. As part of our dual strategy, we are working both on the intelligent combustion engine for the use of hydrogen and other nonfossil fuels and on technologies for fuel cells and e-mobility.

MAHLE generated sales of €11.3 billion in 2025. Employing just under 65,000 people at 127 production locations and 11 technology centers, the company is represented in 28 countries. (as at: 12/31/2025). Join our MAHLE team! #weshapefuturemobility

Your Contribution:

As the Technical Business Development Lead - HVAC Systems, you will be responsible for leading HVAC module acquisition activities from concept development through customer quotation and business award. This role owns the technical solution, drives cross-functional collaboration, and ensures the development of competitive, high-performance, and manufacturable HVAC module designs that align with customer requirements and business objectives. You will serve as the primary technical interface with customers during the acquisition phase, balancing performance, quality, cost, and timing to maximize new business opportunities and secure business awards.

This position can be based at either the Lockport Technical Center or Farmington Hills.

• Lead the development of HVAC module concepts, architectures, and technical solutions for new business opportunities.
• Own the overall HVAC module acquisition strategy, ensuring alignment with customer requirements, internal standards, and business objectives.
• Drive cost optimization and design-to-cost initiatives across product design, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Identify technical risks early and develop mitigation strategies to ensure successful program acquisition.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with customers, leading technical discussions, presentations, and negotiations.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Validation, and Quality to support acquisition activities.
• Develop competitive acquisition strategies that balance innovation, risk, profitability, quality, and timing requirements.
• Foster a winning culture focused on execution, accountability, customer value, and securing profitable business growth.

Your Experience & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automotive Engineer or related field.

Experience in product development, preferably within thermal management or HVAC systems.

Knowledge of automotive product development processes and quality tools, including APQP, DFMEA, DVP&R, GD&T, virtual validation, and BOM management.

Understanding of manufacturing processes, material selection, and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) principles.

Exposure to change management activities, customer RFQs/RFIs, and technical quotations.

Strong presentation, communication, and negotiation skills.

Ability to lead technical discussions with customers and executive-level stakeholders.

Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Validation, and Program Management.

Our Offer:

MAHLE is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment-based non-immigrant and immigrant visas. However, as a global company, MAHLE offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S. which can be found through our employment website.

We will provide a collaborative environment working on exciting assignments, along with personal & career development opportunities.

TeamMAHLE is diverse - and we see that as a great advantage! We welcome applications with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and identities.

Do you have any questions?

[e-mail]

Facts about the job

Entry level: Experienced hires

Part- / Full-time: Full Time

Functional area: Research & Development

Department: BU2 Thermal and Fluid Systems

Location: Farmington Hills, MI, US, 48335

Your future at MAHLE

As a team player and someone who thinks ahead, you can deploy all your skills with us. In cooperation with colleagues from different countries and areas, you contribute in designing the mobility of the future. When selecting MAHLE, you choose trend-setting technologies and strategies. Are you interested in working with us and developing efficient and environmentally-friendly solutions, optimising existing products, and turning innovative ideas into reality? Then MAHLE is the right address for you.