Vehicle Attributes Engineering Manager

Quick Facts

• Role: Vehicle Attributes Engineering Manager (people leadership within Vehicle Attributes Quality Engineering)

• Focus areas: NVH, cabin refinement, body sealing/water management, ride quality, steering feel, braking performance

• Scope: Prototype → pilot → production; production sustainment and new program launches

Description

Lead the Vehicle Attributes Quality Engineering team responsible for end-to-end vehicle-level attribute performance across NVH, cabin refinement, body sealing/water management, ride quality, steering feel, and braking. Set team strategy and operating cadence, hire and develop Staff/Senior engineers and engineering technicians, and own attribute outcomes through development and volume ramp. Partner cross-functionally to discover, contain, and permanently close attribute issues using validated corrective and preventive action.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for the Vehicle Attributes team: strategy, operating cadence, priorities, and attribute operating system

• Hire, coach, performance-manage, and develop engineers/technicians; build succession to avoid single-threaded domains

• Allocate team capacity across attribute domains, production issues, and new launches based on data and business risk

• Own vehicle-level attribute outcomes; escalate systemic risks with options and recovery plans; represent attributes in program reviews and launch gates

• Lead complex root-cause work for NVH, BSR, wind/road noise, powertrain sound quality, water leaks, ride, steering, and braking

• Establish subjective/objective vehicle evaluation standards (instrumentation, data collection, acceptance criteria) and institutionalize advanced diagnostics

• Monitor quality signals; prioritize highest-impact attribute risks; partner on robust processes and PFMEA/control-plan quality; direct containment and repair campaigns when risk is outbound/field

• Drive competitor/industry benchmarking into targets, design recommendations, and improved test methods with clear trade-offs

• Own high-quality attribute documentation and prototype-to-production readiness; run continuous improvement and audits as risk warrants

• Raise evaluation rigor and data quality using DMAIC; support engineer-led work with technician execution through launch

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Acoustics, or related field, or equivalent experience

• 10+ years in automotive engineering for vehicle attributes/NVH/chassis/ride & handling/body sealing/vehicle integration- or quality-engineering

• 3+ years leading engineers and/or technicians

• Demonstrated people leadership and ability to set direction and hold results to outcomes

• Technical credibility across multiple vehicle attributes and production sustainment

• Proven ability to drive cross-functional root-cause investigations through validated corrective action and sustained process control

• Hands-on vehicle evaluation experience with subjective drive appraisals and objective measurement (instrumentation, acoustics/vibration/dynamics, leak/sealing tests)

• Proficiency with NVH/dynamics analysis tools and data workflows; strong reporting; ability to read mechanical drawings; knowledge of manufacturing process capability and supplier/production quality collaboration

• Excellent communication for executive briefings under tight timelines; comfort in dynamic manufacturing/multi-program launches

• Valid driver’s license; willingness to support testing/evaluations; ability to lift/handle parts up to 30 lb

Benefits

• Medical plans with plan options and $0 payroll deduction (day 1)

• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits

• Dental (including orthodontic) and vision plans with $0 paycheck contribution

• Company-paid HSA contribution when enrolled in High-Deductible medical plan with HSA

• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits

• Company-paid Basic Life and AD&D

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90-day waiting period)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Sick and Vacation time (flex time for salary; accrued hours for hourly), paid holidays

• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources

• Voluntary benefits (critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, pet insurance)

• Weight loss and tobacco cessation programs

• Tesla Babies program

• Commuter benefits

• Employee discounts and perks

• Earned Wage Access (real-time pay access paid daily), subject to eligibility and schedule (below Sr. Manager levels)