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The Role
At Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA), we are committed to delivering world-class automotive technologies that push the boundaries of what is possible. Our teams of highly skilled engineers and designers use cutting-edge software and technology, to enhance the driving experience and reduce environmental impact.
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA) is a place for exceptional people with outstanding ideas and absolute willingness to bring them to life.
Headquartered in San Jose, CA, at the heart of Silicon Valley and with several R&D facilities across the U.S., we bring together engineers, software developers, and designers who are pushing technology boundaries to create the automotive future. Our teams at MBRDNA are working on many exciting technology areas: Autonomous Driving, Artificial Intelligence and Electrified Powertrains, along with many others.
We are looking for a Principal Tech Strategy & Scouting Manager to join us in the office of the CEO at MBRDNA. In this role, you will be the strategic anchor for early-stage technology and scouting in North America, shaping how emerging trends and scouting inputs are consolidated into a coherent technology strategy for MBRDNA and our global R&D organization. You will drive long-range technology forecasts, identify disruptive opportunities across industries, and ensure that external scouting activities including partnership inputs at MBRDNA are effectively aligned with global R&D organization's priorities. You will play a critical role in connecting the dots, steering the innovation funnel and building bridges with global R&D leaders, while ensuring that MBRDNA delivers high-impact insights and innovation outcomes.
You will scout technology trends and opportunities inside and outside of MBRDNA, establish collaborations, evaluate and communicate their potential, and manage their execution. Opportunities will come from universities, start-ups, partners, and our own R&D teams. You will collaborate closely with them, foresight, and our partnership and intellectual property teams through a co-creative process.
Together with subject matter experts at MBRDNA and within the global Mercedes-Benz innovation network you will evaluate ideas from a desirability, viability, and feasibility perspective. You will channel promising projects through our MBRDNA innovation funnel and monitor their progress.
As the Principal Tech Strategy & Scouting Manager you will report to the Chief of Staff to the CEO and work closely with the CEO as well as business unit leaders at MBRDNA and other executive leadership to develop and drive MBRDNA's and Mercedes-Benz’s innovation strategy.
You will be part of a highly motivated team that values expertise and commitment. If you are an accomplished professional in your field, with curiosity, a hands-on approach, and adaptability, you will have the opportunity to put your ideas into action, take on new responsibilities, and grow within a fast-paced environment.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. (If you are a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, asylee or refugee, sponsorship is not required to work in the United States.)
Relocation assistance (domestic or international) is not provided for this position.
Job Responsibilities:
- Develop and govern a comprehensive tech strategy and scouting process with measurable impact, ensuring global R&D expectations and MBRDNA priorities are fully aligned.
- Scout and evaluate innovative technologies and developments across industries (including non-automotive), with a focus on North America market specifics. Report insights and updates on areas of concern in an effective and timely manner and deliver 10+ year forecasts, readiness assessments, and ad-hoc analyses from tech events and fairs.
- Lead and consolidate scouting inputs across MBRDNA (including R&D, Foresight, IP and Partnerships) to build a coherent technology forecast and innovation roadmap.
- Translate trends into strategy: Provide high-quality inputs into roadmaps, reports and executive discussions.
- Serve as scouting key account, reporting insights, trends, risks, and opportunities in a structured and timely way to MBRDNA leadership and global (R&D) stakeholders.
- Establish regular communication, information and knowledge exchange, ensuring all relevant teams (e.g. R&D, Foresight, IP and Partnerships) have necessary information to support the successful execution of deliverables.
- Build strong collaboration models with the global R&D organization and leaders across MBRDNA to ensure early identification of innovation, trends, and talent.
- Collaborate with internal experts and assess the local ecosystem to identify trends relevant to Mercedes-Benz.
- Coordinate and lead meetings on a regular and as-needed basis, fostering an environment of sharing and collective learning.
- Drive strategic goals while enhancing global transparency and visibility for opportunities and initiatives in the U.S.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master's degree in engineering, computer science, economics or comparable qualifications
- At least 10 years of work experience in the automotive or tech industry
- At least 5 years of professional experience in Silicon Valley
- Recognized expertise in technology strategy, scouting, or innovation management
- Strong ability to balance scouting breadth with strategic prioritization and governance
- Ability to manage large, complex project initiatives of strategic importance to the organization and attention to detail
- Credibility and authority to align cross-functional teams (including R&D, Foresight, IP and Partnerships)
- Excellent strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, track record of field research and data analysis as well as customer orientation
- Outstanding communication skills and ability to communicate with and to brief executive leadership
- High level of resilience and passion for new technologies as well as startups and young companies
- Strong ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and thrive in a fast-paced environment with various priorities
- Hands-on, agile, and curious mindset with proven ability to translate insights into impact
- Experience in working with international teams and executive stakeholders
- Valid US Driver's License
Preferred Qualifications:
- German language skills are a plus
The successful candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, job-related education, skills, and experience, geographic location, and market conditions. The current salary range for this position is as follows and may be modified in the future: $175,100 - $223,300.
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Why should you apply?
Here at MBRDNA, you create digital ecosystems around cars, you design a language between humans and machines, you make a car even more intelligent - you make the new reality for cars. MBRDNA was honored as one of the "Best Places to Work" by BuiltIn in January 2024, a testament to our commitment to creating an exceptional work environment. At each of our offices, we foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, ensuring every team member can thrive and innovate.
Benefits for Full-Time* Employees Include:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• 401(k) with employer match
• Up to 18 company-paid holidays
• Paid time off (flexible time off for salaried employees), sick time, and parental leave
• Tuition assistance program
• Wellness/Fitness reimbursement programs
* Internships & Contractors excluded from Full-Time Employee benefits
MBRDNA is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and strongly supports diversity in the workforce. MBRDNA only accepts resumes from approved agencies who have a valid Agency Agreement on file. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, MBRDNA employees, or send to any MBRDNA location. MBRDNA is not responsible for any fees or claims related to receipt of unsolicited resumes.
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc.
PRIVACY NOTICE FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS
https://mbrdna.com/california-employee-privacy-notice/
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The Company
What We Do
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA) is continuously striving to innovate premium mobility. It is a place for exceptional people with outstanding ideas and the absolute willingness to bring them to life. We are not about cars only - we are also about the latest and greatest software, cutting-edge technology, and groundbreaking innovation: Embedded in a worldwide network MBRDNA is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, with key areas of Autonomous Driving, Advanced Interaction Design, Digital User Experience, Machine Learning, Costumer Research, and Open Innovation. In Redford, Michigan, the focus is on Powertrain and eDrive technology as well as in Long Beach, where the teams test durability of the latest driver assistant and telematic systems. The Digital Hub in Seattle focusses on developing a cloud architecture and building out the cloud platform for the next generation of connected car services. The Testing and Regulatory Affairs Division in Ann Arbor and the Advanced Vehicle Design in Carlsbad complete the competence center.
