Head of Vehicle Level Engineering

Inside the Role

The Head of Vehicle Level Engineering (VLE) is accountable for defining, integrating, and delivering vehicle solutions that meet customer needs, regulatory requirements, and business objectives as part of the Engineering & Technology Department at DTNA. This role ensures successful delivery of product design and engineering objectives and provides end to end vehicle level technical leadership across the product development lifecycle, ensuring clarity, consistency, and collaboration across engineering disciplines.

Operating at the intersection of customer and market needs, vehicle architecture, systems engineering, product engineering, design, project management, and validation, the Chief Engineer sets the technical direction for TN vehicle platforms and owns the integrity and execution of vehicle and system level targets. The role is central to DTNA’s shift from component centric execution toward a process and system based development model, with clear ownership, disciplined decision making, and strong integration accountability.

This position plays a critical role in defining future vehicle platforms, advancing innovation, and aligning engineering execution with strategic business objectives while also enabling global collaboration and technology transfer across the broader Truck Group.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience 

Benefits include annual variable pay bonus program; company paid company vehicle with insurance and fuel card; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; non-qualified deferred compensation plan with company contribution of 7% of variable pay;  starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ holidays per calendar year; Paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive health care plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance program; volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans.

What You Drive at DTNA

Vehicle‑Level Technical Ownership

• Accountable for the technical integrity of the complete vehicle across concept, development, production, and lifecycle support, owning vehicle‑level performance, safety, compliance, quality, cost, integration, and customer value outcomes.

• Translate customer needs, market inputs, and business objectives into clear vehicle‑level requirements and specifications, ensuring alignment between product strategy and engineering execution.

• Provide end‑to‑end technical leadership for vehicle platforms, systems, and features, including product design oversight, concept evaluation, feasibility, DMU validation, integration, and lifecycle ownership.

  

Vehicle Architecture, Systems Engineering, and Systems Integration

• Define, govern, and maintain vehicle system architecture and technical baselines, ensuring disciplined requirements definition, flow‑down, traceability, and change control at vehicle and system levels.

• Lead integration of systems and features into vehicles, resolving cross‑system hardware, software, and interface issues to ensure functional, physical, and software compatibility.

• Own vehicle‑ and system‑level verification and validation, including DVP definition, test strategies, system test cases, ECU software and parameter development, and final technical sign‑off for DTNA‑developed features.

Vehicle‑Level Governance & Engineering Project Management

• Serve as the primary vehicle‑level engineering authority for technical decisions and trade‑offs, leading platform and product reviews, milestone readiness assessments, and executive technical forums with clear escalation and timely decision‑making to protect program commitments.

• Lead vehicle program engineering execution from concept through launch, coordinating scope, schedule, cost, risk, and deliverables while governing product changes, engineering budgets, CVDS processes, software integration, visual management, and cross‑functional issue resolution.

• Accountable for DTNA’s Product Cost Excellence program, driving enterprise‑wide cost reduction and complexity optimization while maintaining safety, quality, and customer value.

Product Design Leadership

·         Lead the team responsible for vehicle product design (interior and exterior), ensuring alignment with brand identity, market relevance, and future‑focused vision.

• Lead and integrate multidisciplinary design teams including design development, surface development, HMI/UX, concept modeling, and physical prototyping.

Process Management and Development Excellence

• Continuously improve vehicle‑ and system‑level processes to increase execution predictability, development speed, and product quality.

• Own systems engineering processes, methods, tools, and governance across DTNA.

• Provide regional leadership and implementation of DTAG Commercial Vehicle Development System (CVDS) within DTNA.

People Leadership, Culture, and Capability

• Build, lead, and inspire a high‑performing Vehicle Level Engineering organization.

• Develop technical and leadership capability, fostering system‑level thinking and strong technical ownership.

• Promote a culture of clarity, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement aligned with DTNA’s purpose and values.

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field

• 12+ years of relevant experience in vehicle or product engineering

• 4+ years of senior leadership experience

• Demonstrated success leading high-performing, technical teams

• Broad expertise in heavy-duty vehicle development and engineering systems

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering or related discipline

• 12+ years of experience in truck engineering

• Experience leading product design and vehicle architecture development

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)- 

Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance for this position is available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

U.S. Visa sponsorship available if you qualify under the following:

• Hold a valid existing Visa (L1A, L1B, L2, TN, H1B, H4 EAD, OPT EAD, CPT)
• Daimler Truck North America employees working under an existing U.S. Daimler Truck North America Visa
• Those eligible for a TN Visa (Canadian or Mexican National working in an Engineering, Accounting or Scientific Technologist capacity with an aligning degree)
• Those eligible for an L-1 (inter-company) Daimler Truck visa under the Corporate Blanket L-1 program would require at least one-year of qualifying experience in the last three years

Additional Information

• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.