Technical Project Manager, Hardware - ADAS & Vehicle Build

BERTRANDT US INC; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

STD/LTD/Life insurance

401k Retirement program

Generous paid vacation/sick/holidays

Creative work environment

Job summary

Bertrandt US Inc. is seeking an experienced Technical ADAS Project Manager focused on vehicle hardware.

You will lead hardware activities for prototype and pre-series ADAS programs, coordinating workshop, hardware engineering, and customer interfaces across the US and Germany. The role requires strong project leadership, technical depth in ADAS hardware, and the ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on problem solving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive engineering or related field.
• 6+ years in ADAS/automotive development, prototype or pre-series build and hardware engineering.
• Proven technical project management, cross-functional coordination and customer-facing experience.
• Experience in Mercedes-Benz ADAS development environment.
• Strong background in electrical systems, CAN, sensor integration, wiring and validation.
• Willingness to travel internationally (Germany) and hold a US driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Own full lifecycle of ADAS hardware projects for prototype and pre-series vehicles.
• Plan, track, and control timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Ensure on-time vehicle build-up, updates, and issue resolution.
• Manage risks, dependencies, and escalation across functions.
• Coordinate between customers, workshop, and hardware engineering teams.
• Oversee workshop execution, diagnostics, and validation activities.
• Review technical solutions and change requests; act as escalation point.
• Ensure compliance with processes, safety and quality standards.

Skills

ADAS Hardware

Project Management

Cross-functional

Customer Interface

Technical Leadership

German language (pref)

Education

Engineering Degree

Tools

CAD processes

JIRA

CANoe

DTS Monaco

CAN/Ethernet

Job description

Role Overview

Bertrandt is seeking an experienced Technical ADAS Project Manager, Vehicle Hardware- with German language skills highly preferred. This position will lead and oversee all hardware-related activities within ADAS prototype and pre-series vehicle projects. This role combines project ownership, technical and disciplinary leadership, and operational oversight, acting as the central authority across workshop operations, hardware engineering, and customer interfaces.

Scope of the Role

• Full project ownership for hardware-related ADAS activities
• Functional and disciplinary leadership across workshop and engineering teams (no direct line management required)
• High level of responsibility for delivery, quality, and customer satisfaction
• Central coordination point across workshop execution, hardware engineering, and customer interfaces
• Strong balance between strategic project management, technical depth, and operational oversight

Key Responsibilities

Project Ownership & Delivery Management

• Own full lifecycle of ADAS prototype and pre-series vehicle projects (hardware scope)
• Plan, track, and control project timelines, milestones, and deliverables
• Ensure on-time delivery of vehicle build-up, updates, and issue resolution
• Manage risks, dependencies, and escalation paths across all involved functions
• Align project priorities with customer requirements and internal capabilities

Technical Leadership (Hardware Focus)

• Oversee all hardware-related topics across projects, including:
  • ADAS sensors (camera, radar, ultrasonic)
  • ECUs and vehicle networks (CAN, Ethernet)
  • Wiring harnesses and electrical integration
  • Mechanical integration and packaging concepts
• Ensure robust and scalable hardware integration strategies across vehicles
• Review and challenge technical solutions, change requests, and implementation concepts
• Act as escalation point for complex system-level issues

Workshop Operations Oversight

• Oversee execution of all workshop activities including:
  • Prototype build-up
  • Retrofits and updates
  • Troubleshooting and validation
• Ensure efficient coordination between Foreman and technicians
• Monitor build progress, quality, and resource utilization
• Ensure adherence to processes, safety standards, and quality requirements

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Act as central interface between:
  • Customers
  • Workshop (Foreman & Technicians)
  • Hardware Engineering teams (US & Germany)
• Ensure alignment between engineering design and workshop execution
• Drive efficient communication and decision-making across all stakeholders
• Coordinate change management processes and implementation priorities

Team Oversight & Leadership

• Provide functional oversight across all involved roles:
  • Junior ADAS Technicians (execution support)
  • ADAS Technicians (diagnostics & troubleshooting)
  • Workshop Foreman (operations leadership)
  • Hardware Engineers (design & integration)
• Ensure clear task prioritization and workload balance across teams
• Support escalation handling and conflict resolution
• Drive performance, accountability, and continuous improvement

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Act as primary project interface for customers on all hardware-related topics
• Provide structured updates on:
  • Vehicle status
  • Risks and issues
  • Timeline and deliverables
• Translate customer requirements into actionable technical and operational plans
• Align expectations and manage scope changes effectively

Process, Quality & Documentation

• Ensure structured processes for:
  • Hardware change management
  • Build configuration tracking
  • Issue tracking and resolution (e.g., JIRA)
• Enforce documentation standards across all teams
• Ensure traceability of:
  • Vehicle configurations
  • Engineering changes
  • Issues and corrective actions
• Drive continuous process improvement across workshop and engineering interfaces and processes
• Ensure compliance with all company procedures, processes, and policies

General Benefits

• Complete and comprehensive benefits package including Med/Dent/Vision
• Employer paid STD/LTD/Life
• 401k Retirement program
• Generous paid vacation/sick/holidays
• Creativity encouraged in a fun, friendly work environment

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field
• 6+ years of experience in ADAS / automotive development, prototype or pre-series vehicle build-up, and hardware engineering or system integration
• Proven experience in technical project management or program leadership, cross-functional team coordination, and customer-facing roles
• Experience with Mercedes-Benz OEM specific ADAS development environment
• Strong technical background in these 4 areas: Automotive electrical systems, networks (CAN required), ADAS hardware and sensor integration, Vehicle build-up and troubleshooting processes
• Experience managing: 1. Complex projects with multiple stakeholdersand 2. International engineering interfaces (e.g., Germany-based teams)
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, as well as organizational and problem-solving capabilities
• Occasional business travels to Germany
• Valid US driver’s license
• Occasional support also on the weekends (if necessary)

Preferred Qualifications

• German language (fluent) highly preferred
• Familiarity with CAD processes and design coordination
• Diagnostic tools (e.g., CANoe, DTS Monaco)
• Issue tracking tools (e.g., JIRA)
• PMP or equivalent project management certification
• Mercedes-Benz Driver Licenses T1 and/or BERTHA

Pay Transparency & EEO

The compensation range listed for this position reflects the anticipated base pay at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, education, location, and internal equity.

Bertrandt is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process.