Mgr Program & Design Execution

"Vorsprung durch Technik" or, "Progress through Technology" is our company ethos and is the core belief that drives the development of every Audi vehicle. It inspires the innovative solutions, revolutionary engineering and progressive design that have become synonymous with the Audi name. And it reminds us to challenge ourselves, rewrite the rules from time to time and always fuel our pioneering spirit. The spirit that sets us apart on the racetrack and the open road. In our relentless pursuit to become the number one premium car brand in America, we need employees who share in this spirit of challenging the status quo in everything that we do.

Role Summary:

The Manager, Program Design & Execution oversees the realization and planning of design projects, concept cars, technological innovation properties, Visualization, HMI proofs of concept as well as all the design development activities of the Design Loft.  He/she is in charge of establishing the planning, scheduling and resource allocations for all the Design Loft activities. He/she is in charge of scheduling, communication and engineering data synergies with our partners within the group, which includes leading and coordinating design programs and product development made in cooperation with partner design studios. He/she organizes and presents program planning, resource allocations, CAD properties and Design visualization to and communicates frequently with the Audi Design Loft director and Top-Management of AoA and Audi AG Germany.  He/she coordinates activities and schedules with every internal departments (Design and CAD/Visual realization) and external departments (e.g. Research, Design, Marketing and vendors) as needed. As a CAD, Development and Design Visualization manager he/she is responsible for the highest quality production of all physical, CAD and visual properties developed at the Loft. His/Her role is to achieve excellence in execution of all deliverables while meeting the timing and budget targets. He/she has to be always seeking for new technologies and work processes and evaluate their implementation in the brand's design department. He/she will be occasionally responsible to present new work processes solutions to Top-management in Germany. He/She will be in charge of fostering a productive and efficient environment for the CAD and Visualization team. He/she is the champion of a seamlessly productive and cross-functional coordination between the Audi Design Loft, AoA and Audi AG.

Role Responsibilities:

Development & Execution - (40%) 

• Defines and develops automotive projects (production/concepts) within the parameters of the Design Department design processes
• Develops feasible concepts and autonomous transposition into CAD and 3D

Supervisory Work - (40%)

• Oversees design projects from initial phases through production
• Holds overall management responsibility for the coordination of all design activities in the course of a project development at the Audi Design Loft
• Ensures the coordination of activities and schedules with other departments (e.g. research, fabrication, engineering, sales, and manufacturing)

Research - (20%)

• Seek new tools, technologies and study their implementation in the design development process

Qualifications:

Years of Experience:

• 10 Automotive design experience in OEM to include a Lead/Main Design development and program management role in production and concept vehicles

Education - Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Automotive or Industrial Design or equivalent

Education - Desired:

• Master's Degree in Automotive or Industrial Design

Skills:

• Analytical thinking - using logic and reason
• Communication skills - interpersonal, presentation and written
• Conceptual thinking - creative and strategic
• Presentation skills
• Knowledge in leading Design visualization process (2d, CAD, video)
• Integration - joining people, processes or systems
• Negotiation skills
• Influencing skills
• Resource management
• Extensive knowledge and experience of OEM automotive engineering and executing pre-development stage of production and advanced concepts from satellite design operations
• Understanding of multiple regional markets, especially the North American and Asian markets
• Ability to comprehend automotive experiential technology and its foray into general consumer electronics and lifestyle industry
•  Experience in vehicle packaging, human factors, interface, user-experience, and user behavior aspects in transportation design
• Appetite for new technologies and work processes

Specialized Skills - Required:

• Competent in design and pre-development vehicle concept, packaging, and architecture
• Excellent skills in CAD surface development 
• Extensive knowledge of platform development
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant technology and usage
• Excellent judgment of design proportions and proposals
• Good verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of automotive manufacturing and product planning process
• Wide interest/knowledge of creative industry latest technology (e.g. entertainment, product design, fashion) 
• Deep understanding of Automotive product planning process and global marketing requirements
• Ability to manage multi-disciplinary team
• Outstanding people management skills and leadership
•  Ability to think strategically and systematically to optimize design development process
• Expertise in CAD development tools (Alias, Engineering CAD, Catia, Blender, etc...)
• Expertise in Visualization tools (Vred, Unreal, Corona, etc...)
• Good knowledge of production and presentation software (PPT, Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Business management knowledge
• California Labor laws knowledge 
• Administrative organization skills
• Knowledge in Office software tools
• Basic knowledge of CAD and visualization software (Alias, Vred, Engineering CAD)
• Excellent presentation skills
• Excellent contacts to relevant people within AoA and Audi Technical Development in Germany

Specialized Skills - Desired:

• Extensive knowledge of the main VW Group brands in general
• Excellent contacts to relevant people within VWGoA and VW Group in Germany

Work Flexibility:

• Must be willing to travel within short (3-4 days) notice
• High amount of travel due to extensive contact to VW Group clients in Germany and other countries

Compensation:

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, industry-based experience, skills, training, credentials, and other qualifications.  

In the state of California, the salary range is $111,700.00 - $170,500.00.  

Volkswagen Group of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.