Vehicle Architect - Western Star

Inside the Role

Vehicle Architecture is a department where you get to lead with the vehicle view to help lead the development of industry leading products that deliver customer value. As a Vehicle Architect, you will act as a technical lead for the Western Star Platform. Leading with the vehicle view, you will thoroughly understand the customer’s needs (Customer Value Criteria) and align our vehicle development programs to deliver customer value throughout the development cycle, design verification, and ultimately a final sign off on the vehicle as ready for the customer.

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

What You Drive at DTNA

• Turn Vehicle Architectural Strategy into Action: Lead the technical implementation of vehicle-level strategies, ensuring alignment with customer needs and business objectives.

• Technical Leadership: Own and drive the technical implementation of PARs and Production Year Programs from a vehicle level, guiding their development through the Engineering and Technology organization.  Lead the Strategic Technical Forum for the Western Star Platform to drive customer value.

• Frontloading Stewardship: Ensure all engineering technical deliverables required for QGS – QG9 are met, steering implementation to pass critical quality gates.

• Development Cycle Management: Implement and shepherd vehicle technical attributes and plans from QG9 to QG2, overseeing the entire product lifecycle.

• Design Reviews: Lead cross functional technical design reviews to resolve conflicts, ensure progress toward vehicle-level specifications, and oversee target sign-off at key milestones.

• Progress Checks: Define and monitor progress checks, ensuring technical attributes advance toward defined goals

• Conflict Resolution: Serve as the escalation path for conflicting targets and attributes, making timely decisions to resolve competing priorities.

• Technical Face to Stakeholders: Represent the vehicle platform to external stakeholders and customers, providing technical leadership and clarity.

• Lead Platform Development: Drive development of Western Star, ensuring segment-specific needs are addressed.

• Technical Steering for PARs: Ensure PAR execution is aligned with the vision for the platform and is driving the most possible value for the customer.

• Patent Management: Manage offensive and defensive patent strategies for the platform, including design and utility patents, and IP for production and aftermarket.

 

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

• 7+ years of experience in vehicle engineering, or technical program management.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive technical strategy at the vehicle/platform level.

• Strong knowledge of automotive product development processes, quality gates, and lifecycle management.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to mediate technical decisions and facilitate progress in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

• An attached resume is required.

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 is not available for this position.

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.

Additional Information

• This position is not open for Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application
• 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.