Director, ADK Core Engineering

About the role

You will set the technical direction for sensors, networking, power, and compute systems integrated into current and upcoming vehicle platforms while evaluating cost, performance, size, and availability constraints. You will lead the architecture and design for embedded software and next-generation vehicle platforms to ensure robust and scalable solutions. You will manage partnerships with third-party engineering firms, defining scope, monitoring progress, and ensuring deliverables meet requirements for timing and specifications with precision. This leadership position drives innovation across the core engineering group while fostering cross-functional collaboration to align engineering efforts with company objectives. You will mentor engineering staff and represent the function in communications to maintain clarity and consistency in organizational goals. The role involves cultivating a culture of continuous improvement to enhance processes and outcomes over time. You will contribute to the company's strategic direction by translating high-level objectives into actionable engineering plans. This position ensures that the ADK core engineering initiatives support the broader mission of transforming urban mobility.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Define and set the technical direction for sensors, networking, power, and compute systems integrated into current and upcoming vehicle platforms while evaluating cost, performance, size, and availability constraints.
• Lead the architecture and design for embedded software and next-generation vehicle platforms to ensure solutions are scalable, reliable, and aligned with vehicle integration requirements.
• Manage partnerships with third-party engineering firms, defining scope, monitoring progress, and ensuring deliverables meet requirements for timing and specifications without deviation.
• Oversee departmental budgets, key performance indicators, and people management activities to maintain operational efficiency and team productivity.
• Ensure all engineering activities comply with internal development processes and standards to uphold quality and regulatory expectations.
• Guide sustaining engineering for vehicles in the field, focusing on quality, cost management, obsolescence, and user experience to maintain long-term performance.
• Build and maintain an iterative, agile delivery culture that links intake stages to review checkpoints before vehicles reach partners or production environments.
• Clearly communicate complex engineering concepts to product, program, and production stakeholders to ensure alignment and shared understanding across departments.
• Develop and track metrics and objectives for complex programs to measure success and identify areas for optimization or intervention.
• Act as a representative of the engineering function in internal and external communications to advocate for resources and clarify priorities.
• Mentor engineering staff to foster professional growth, collaboration, and a high-performance team environment.
• Contribute to the company's strategic direction by identifying opportunities for innovation and process improvements within the ADK core engineering group.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to ensure the engineering roadmap remains competitive and forward-thinking.
• Support cross-functional initiatives that integrate hardware, software, and operational workflows to streamline vehicle development cycles.

Requirements

• Must possess a minimum of 3 years of experience managing engineering teams in autonomy or transit environments to ensure familiarity with relevant challenges and workflows.
• Must have a deep understanding of sensor, networking, power, and computing systems for vehicle platforms to evaluate integration and performance effectively.
• Must possess knowledge of embedded software development to guide technical decisions and collaborate with software teams.
• Must have an understanding of vehicle electronic architectures to ensure compatibility and scalability across platforms.
• Must excel at budgeting, tracking metrics, and managing objectives for complex programs to maintain clarity and accountability.
• Must communicate clearly with product, program, and production stakeholders to ensure alignment and avoid misunderstandings.
• Must demonstrate the ability to work within a fast-paced, iterative development environment while adhering to strict timelines.
• Must comply with all internal processes and standards to ensure consistency and quality in engineering deliverables.

Nice to have

Experience with Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) methods is preferred to better align with May Mobility's core technology and decision-making frameworks.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in Ann Arbor, MI. The annual compensation for this role is $185,000.00. The engagement is full-time, and candidates should be prepared to commit to the responsibilities and expectations outlined in this role description. No additional practical notes regarding hours, travel, visa, or deadlines are specified beyond the standard full-time arrangement in the given location.