VP of Vehicle Engineering

Description

One of our clients in Automotive industry is seeking a Vice President of Vehicle Engineering & CAE, a strategic leadership role at the intersection of vehicle product development and simulation-led engineering. This position is ideal for a seasoned engineering leader with deep expertise in CAE disciplines and a proven record in delivering complex vehicle programs across EV, ICE, and hybrid platforms.

The successful candidate will bridge simulation and vehicle-level execution to transform OEM requirements into manufacturable, cost-optimized designs. A key part of the role is driving innovation in digital engineering processes while leading cross-functional teams to meet technical, cost, and commercial goals.

Title: Vice President (VP) of Vehicle Engineering

Type: Full Time / Permanent

Location: Detroit, MI

Industry: Automotive

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end vehicle engineering lifecycle from concept to production across multiple powertrain platforms (EV, ICE, hybrid).
• Own and evolve CAE integration within the product development lifecycle — leveraging FEA, CFD, crash simulation, NVH, durability, and thermal disciplines.
• Build and mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams, including mechanical, electrical, systems, and CAE specialists.
• Translate customer and OEM goals into executable engineering plans that align with cost, quality, and manufacturability targets.
• Drive the adoption of modern digital engineering practices such as virtual validation, automation, and model-based development.
• Engage directly with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, balancing engineering priorities with business realities.
• Apply cost engineering and design-to-cost principles to guide vehicle architecture and component-level decisions.
• Manage program budgets, timelines, and stakeholder expectations at both technical and executive levels.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 15+ years in automotive engineering with a strong record in full vehicle development and launch delivery.
• Expertise in CAE domains including finite element analysis, crashworthiness, CFD, NVH, durability, and thermal performance.
• Proven leadership of large cross-functional engineering teams.
• Strong background working with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
• Demonstrated success in cost reduction and process optimization through virtual engineering and teardown benchmarking.
• Familiarity with mobility megatrends (e.g., ADAS, EV architecture, lightweighting, sustainability).
• Executive-level stakeholder management and commercial alignment capability.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

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ABOUT EPMA

Since 2010, EPMA has quickly earned credibility as a trusted leader in Project and Portfolio Management Services helping local businesses to Global 50 companies deliver projects with greater efficiency and success. Our ability to attract the most talented people and empower them to make a difference for our clients is part of what makes EPMA one of the Top Companies to work for in Texas, and one of the Best and Brightest companies to work for in the nation. We are also on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest growing, privately held companies in America today.

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