Here at Scout Motors, we're carrying forward the heritage of one of the most iconic American vehicles in history. A vehicle dating back to 1960. One that forged the path for future generations of rugged SUVs and trucks and will do so once again.
But Scout is more than just a brand, it’s a legacy steeped in a culture of exploration, caretaking, and hard work.
The Scout brand is all about respect. Respect for the past and the future by taking an iconic American brand that hasn’t been around for a while, electrifying it, digitizing it, and loading it with American innovation. Respect for communities by creating a company that stands for its people and its customers. Respect for both work and play, with vehicles that are equally at home at a camp site, a job site, or on a Tuesday commute. And respect for our customers by developing two powertrains that meet their requirements — an all-electric powertrain as well as the Harvester™ range extender powertrain which includes a built-in gas-powered generator with an estimated 500 miles of combined range.
At Scout Motors, we empower our talented, inclusive, and entrepreneurial teams to innovate. What makes a Scout employee? Someone who is a visionary and a leader, who seeks new paths and shares lessons learned. A knowledgeable doer who collaborates across the company to build better. A go-getter with unrivaled passion.
Join us at Scout Motors and be part of shaping the future of transportation. If you're ready to drive change and make history, apply now!
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Engineer – Whole Vehicle Issue Management to lead the tracking, coordination, and resolution of vehicle-level issues during prototype and pre-series phases.
This role acts as the central control point for all vehicle issues, ensuring transparency, prioritization, and timely resolution across cross-functional teams. The position requires strong expertise in structured issue management (JIRA mandatory), a solid understanding of VW Group development processes, and the ability to operate effectively in a German-language engineering environment.
In addition, this role is expected to actively drive AI and digital initiatives to improve issue management efficiency, data transparency, and decision-making.
What you’ll doAt Scout Motors, you don't just design vehicles- you shape the future of the road. Our Engineering team is where bold ideas meet rigorous execution, building machines that are as durable and capable as the people who drive them. You'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with brilliant minds across disciplines, turning complex challenges into elegant, scalable solutions that meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and user experience. This is a place where your fingerprints are found on metal – where what you design gets built, driven, and remembered. If you're hungry to engineer something that matters, Scout Motors is where that ambition finds its highest gear.
Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:
Whole Vehicle Issue Management (Core Responsibility)
- Own and manage the central issue tracking for complete vehicle programs
- Drive structured issue management processes (Schadentisch) across all vehicle domains
- Ensure all issues are:
- Clearly documented
- Properly categorized and prioritized
- Assigned to responsible owners
- Maintain full visibility of issue status, progress, and resolution
JIRA-Based Execution (Mandatory Core Tool)
- Use JIRA as the single source of truth for all issue tracking
- Define and maintain:
- Issue structures and taxonomy
- Workflows and status logic
- Dashboards and reporting views
- Ensure strict adherence to traceability, data quality, and update discipline
- Drive consistent and scalable use of JIRA across all stakeholders
Schadentisch Coordination & Governance
- Lead and prepare regular Schadentisch / issue review meetings
- Ensure clear communication of:
- Critical issues
- Escalations
- Blocking topics
- Track decisions, actions, and follow-ups
- Drive accountability across engineering, validation, and supplier teams
Cross-Functional Alignment
- Act as central interface between:
- Engineering (all domains)
- Validation & test teams
- Prototype / garage operations
- Suppliers
- Ensure alignment on:
- Issue understanding
- Root cause direction
- Resolution timing and priorities
Escalation & Risk Management
- Identify and escalate risks impacting:
- Vehicle functionality
- Test readiness
- Program milestones
- Ensure transparency of high-risk topics
- Support leadership decision-making through structured issue insights
Root Cause & Resolution Follow-Up
- Ensure issues are properly investigated (not only symptom-based fixes)
- Track root cause identification and corrective actions
- Verify closure quality and prevent recurrence
- Promote structured problem-solving approaches across teams
AI & Digital Initiatives (Key Differentiator)
- Proactively identify and implement AI-driven improvements in issue management processes
- Leverage AI tools to:
- Automating issue categorization and prioritization
- Generate summaries of large issue datasets
- Identify patterns, recurring failures, and systemic risks
- Improve JIRA usage efficiency through:
- Automation rules
- Smart workflows
- Data structuring and optimization
- Develop or support dashboards and insights that enhance real-time visibility
- Reduce manual reporting efforts through automation and AI-assisted workflows
- Act as a driver of digital transformation within V&V / integration operations
Expected mindset: Not just using tools — finding better ways of working
Location & Travel Expectations:
- This role may be based out of the Scout Motors corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC.
- This role requires 4-5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events.
- Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.
We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or related)
- 8–12+ years of experience in:
- Vehicle development
- Integration / validation / pre-series
- Issue management / problem resolution
- Mandatory advanced experience with JIRA (workflows, dashboards, system ownership)
- Strong understanding of whole vehicle development and system interactions
- Experience working with VW Group processes and structures
- Fluent German language skills (required)
- Proven ability to drive structured execution across complex organizations
Preferred
- Direct experience leading Schadentisch or equivalent forums
- Experience with prototype / pre-series vehicle programs
- Familiarity with DVP and validation processes
- Exposure to AI tools, automation, or data analytics in engineering workflows
- Experience implementing digital efficiency improvements
The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up. This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation. In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:
- Competitive insurance including:
- Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
- 401(k) program with:
- An employer match and immediate vesting
- Generous Paid Time Off including:
- 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
- 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
- Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
- Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave
This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.
Initial base salary range = $120,000.00 - $145,000.00
Internal leveling code: IC8
Notice to applicants:
- To be considered for career opportunities at Scout Motors, applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Residing in San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Scout Motors will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
- Residing in Los Angeles: Scout Motors will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
- Residing in New York City: This role is not eligible for remote work in New York City.
Equal Opportunity
Scout Motors is committed to employing a diverse workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, or any other characteristics protected by law. Scout Motors is committed to compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or related Engineering
- 8-12+ years experience in vehicle development, integration, validation, pre-series, and issue management
- Advanced experience with JIRA (workflows, dashboards, system ownership)
- Fluent German language skills
- Strong understanding of whole vehicle development and system interactions
- Experience working with VW Group processes and structures
- Proven ability to drive structured execution across complex organizations
- Direct experience leading Schadentisch or equivalent issue-review forums
- Experience with prototype / pre-series vehicle programs
- Familiarity with DVP and validation processes
- Exposure to AI tools, automation, or data analytics in engineering workflows
- Experience implementing digital efficiency improvements and smart workflows
Scout Motors Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Scout Motors Inc. and has not been reviewed or approved by Scout Motors Inc..
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is positioned as competitive to strong based on a high announced average salary commitment for Charlotte HQ roles and multiple six‑figure posted ranges across corporate and technical jobs. Manufacturing and skilled‑trades wages are also presented as competitive for the South Carolina region, with hourly ranges and annualized figures frequently landing at or above typical benchmarks.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off appears broad and clearly structured in multiple role descriptions, including planned and unplanned PTO plus a defined set of company/floating holidays. The consistency of these elements across postings suggests a standardized, well-articulated approach to time off.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental leave is described as substantial, with up to 16 weeks of paid leave for all genders and adoptive parents in several role descriptions. Childcare support is also explicitly referenced in some manufacturing-focused communications, indicating additional family-oriented benefits in at least part of the organization.
Scout Motors Inc. Insights
What We Do
Scout is more than just a brand, it’s a legacy steeped in a culture of exploration, caretaking, and hard work. To be a Scout isn‘t just to be a part of a company, it‘s to be a visionary and a leader, someone who seeks new paths and imparts lessons learned to others, leading them forward to new horizons. Here at Scout Motors, we‘re carrying forward the heritage of one of the most iconic American vehicles in history. A vehicle dating back to 1960, one that forged the path for future generations of rugged SUVs and will do so once again. Together with the help of our community, we’re designing, engineering, and building the next generation of all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs for the doers and the ones who can’t be held back. For the ones who roll up their sleeves, push forward, endure the elements, and get the job done. No frills, no excuses, no quitting. We are growing every day and are seeking the next generation of Scouts to join our ranks. So, to all the hard workers out there, the ones who are willing to carry on the Scout legacy, reimagine an American icon, create jobs for Americans, and lead the charge into the future of all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs, we‘re calling on you to join us. Because #TheWorldNeedsScouts.
