Head of Autonomous Vehicle Systems

Inside the Role

The Head of Autonomous Vehicle Systems provides strategic and technical leadership for the definition, integration, and production readiness of autonomous vehicle systems. Leading a team of five direct reports, this role holds end-to-end accountability for the complete vehicle product view, translating autonomous vehicle strategy and self-driving system requirements into safe, redundant, cybersecure, validated, and production-ready vehicle solutions for SAE Level 4 driverless operation.

The role provides leadership across vehicle systems integration, redundancy architecture, propulsion, braking, steering, low-voltage powernet, vehicle architecture, hardware and software integration, cybersecurity, and other critical systems supporting Level 4 autonomous functionality. Software development for virtual validation and simulation is outside the scope of this role, but the role works closely with the teams and organizations developing it to ensure vehicle requirements and validation needs are reflected in those tools.

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

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience

Benefits include annual variable pay bonus program; company paid company vehicle with insurance and fuel card; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; non-qualified deferred compensation plan with company contribution of 7% of variable pay; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ holidays per calendar year; Paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive health care plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance program; volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans.

What You Drive at DTNA

• Set the strategic direction, technical priorities, and execution objectives for the Autonomous Vehicle Systems organization.
• Lead and develop a team of five direct reports while providing direction across cross-functional and matrixed engineering teams.
• Own the entire vehicle product view of the autonomous truck, ensuring the complete vehicle, not just individual subsystems, meets Level 4 driverless requirements.
• Define and integrate vehicle systems required for SAE Level 4 driverless operation, including propulsion, braking, steering, low-voltage powernet, hardware, software, diagnostics, thermal systems, and vehicle architecture.
• Lead the definition and implementation of redundancy-equipped capabilities, including fail-operational architectures for critical functions such as braking, steering, propulsion, power, and compute.
• Establish and govern the cybersecurity approach for autonomous vehicle systems, including alignment with relevant standards and regulations (e.g., ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE R155/R156) across the vehicle lifecycle.
• Ensure self-driving system requirements are aligned with autonomous technology partners, translated into vehicle, feature, and component-level requirements.
• Own the vehicle-level deliverables, including the vehicle architecture baseline, system requirements specifications, interface control documents, the functional safety concept, the redundancy and fail-operational concept, the cybersecurity case, and the vehicle-level safety case.
• Apply systems engineering practice across the lifecycle, including requirements traceability, interface management, verification and validation planning, risk management, and configuration control.
• Drive integration, testing, validation, and release readiness to ensure autonomous systems meet functional safety, redundancy, cybersecurity, quality, reliability, and production requirements.
• Establish technical governance to ensure hardware, software, components, features, and systems align with vehicle development and production milestones.
• Lead cross-functional alignment across Autonomous Engineering, Series Engineering, Product Validation, Manufacturing, Product, Quality, Cybersecurity, and Service.
• Coordinate with the virtual development software organizations to ensure simulation and validation tools reflect vehicle system requirements and integration needs.
• Oversee engineering and manufacturing readiness, supporting the transition of autonomous vehicle technologies from development and validation through production release and market launch.
• Establish performance measures and governance to monitor system maturity, requirements fulfillment, technical issues, redundancy and safety case status, and overall program readiness.
• Represent Autonomous Vehicle Systems with senior leadership, autonomous technology partners, and key stakeholders on strategy, technical direction, program readiness, risks, and critical decisions.

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in mechanical, electrical, systems, or computer engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in commercial vehicle engineering, with at least 4 years in leadership roles managing engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading the development of autonomous, ADAS, or other safety-critical vehicle systems, ideally at SAE Level 3 or higher.
• Strong systems engineering background, including experience with model-based or document-based systems engineering, requirements management, interface definition, and system architecture.
• Working knowledge of functional safety (ISO 26262), SOTIF (ISO 21448), and cybersecurity standards (ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE R155/R156).
• Hands-on understanding of fail-operational and redundant architectures for braking, steering, propulsion, and power systems.
• Experience with vehicle-level integration across propulsion, braking, steering, electrical power distribution, and E/E architecture.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional and matrixed organizations, and to influence senior leadership and external technology partners.
• Experience taking systems from development and validation through production release, including supplier and partner management.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical trade-offs into clear decisions for executive audiences.

Exceptional Candidate Might Have

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in mechanical, electrical, systems, or computer engineering, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in commercial vehicle engineering.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled workplace tools and their potential applications in improving team productivity and business outcomes.

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 for this position is available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria.

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.