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Manager, NAR Launch & TestOps

Cariad, Inc.

Chattanooga, TN Posted today
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We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it. Role Summary: The Manager leads the NAR Launch & Test Ops Team, a hands-on regional team responsible for steering and securing North American launches in close collaboration with VWoA, AoA & CARIAD SE. The role coordinates launch milestone maturity, U.S. test activities at regional test facilities, and delivery readiness for MEB/MQB platform-level scope and T1/T2 functions across all platforms. The role also actively brings together regional stakeholders and constructively moderates resolution of topics that are not directly within CARIAD responsibility but create, or may become, blockers or risks for CARIAD delivery.  This role manages a compact team structure that includes NAR Delivery Unit 1.1 launch steering, T1 country management, T2 country management, and T2 TestOps enablement. The manager actively coordinates test and launch, participates in management drives, tracks regional test scope and results across all regional suppliers & partners funded by CARIAD SE, supports remote test automation and test bench operations, and escalates launch blockers through the appropriate cross-functional channels to drive timely resolution. Role Responsibilities: Regional Test Scope, Funding & Results Coordination * Coordinate regional funding test scope, and test result tracking for work contracted by CARIAD SE at the VWGoA ECC/EPC, including launch-related test cases across U.S., Canada, and Mexico market deltas. * Work with CARIAD SE stakeholders and regional technical teams to clarify planned development and validation scope, assumptions, priorities, and expected deliverables. * Maintain visibility of scope changes, funding needs, and performance records, escalating gaps or conflicts for management review. * Maintain transparency on large-scale regional validation demand, including test case volumes, facility capacity, and associated cost assumptions needed to secure NAR launches. Regional Test & Launch Activity Coordination * Coordinate regional test and launch activities for NAR Launch & Test Ops, including MEB/MQB platform-level scope, T1/T2 country management deliverables, and launch milestone maturity across platforms. * Participate in management drives and ensure open items, blockers, and decisions are captured, tracked, and routed to the appropriate owners. * Provide regular status, risks, and recommended next steps to leadership and stakeholders based on agreed testing, validation, and launch-readiness inputs. * Steer U.S. test activities at regional test facilities by coordinating priorities, readiness inputs, open risks, and issue follow-up across brands, CARIAD SE, and local technical teams. * Coordinate internal and external resources involved in regional test execution, issue triage, and validation follow-up, while escalating resource constraints for decision-making. * Review weekly technical status from system-level leads and regional partners, identifying trends, dependencies, and blockers that require follow-up. * Follow up with CARIAD SE and regional technical departments to drive resolution of launch blockers and confirm alignment on mitigation actions. * Actively convene regional stakeholders and constructively moderate cross-functional resolution of topics outside direct CARIAD ownership when they create, or are expected to become, delivery blockers or launch risks for CARIAD scope. * Coordinate T1 and T2 launch deliverables, including regional back-end integration, alignment with 1.1 and 1.2 scope, and transfer of responsibilities where needed to avoid duplication. * Consolidate regional test and launch-readiness status for communication to stakeholders and management forums. * Track steering actions and decisions related to regional testing, validation, and blocker resolution through closure. * Support release-readiness discussions by reviewing evidence, testing outcomes, open risks, and escalation needs with relevant technical owners. * Support efficient project steering by using available analytics, reporting, and AI-enabled tools to improve visibility, follow-up, and decision preparation. Team Management, Processes & Cross - Functional collaboration * Manage and coach a compact team of professional and technical employees responsible for NAR Delivery Unit 1.1 launch steering, T1 country management, T2 country management, and T2 TestOps enablement. * Establish and improve team processes, work splits, communication routines, and collaboration models that clearly separate regional responsibilities from CARIAD SE ownership while supporting NAR launch execution. * Work closely with peer managers, product managers, engineering teams, suppliers, and CARIAD SE stakeholders to align priorities and resolve cross-functional issues. * Propose and implement business and process improvements that increase clarity, quality, and timeliness of regional delivery activities. * Support alignment with global Delivery Unit Engineering teams on architecture enablers, execution dependencies, and regional worksplits for North American market-fit activities. * Mentor team members and facilitate skill development, job training, career growth, and performance feedback * Prioritize work within the team based on resource constraints, launch timing, and technical dependencies. * Prepare performance-related inputs, development plans, and advancement recommendations for direct reports in partnership with HR and functional leadership. * Coordinate the safe and effective setup, maintenance, and operation of regional test benches and cars as enablers for software development, testing, and certification teams. * Enable reduction and optimization of regional test infrastructure by coordinating commissioning, operation, remote automation enablement, and ongoing readiness of T2 test benches. General Skills: * Leads with Integrity: Speaks up with compassion & empathy to firmly stand by our values, principles, rules, and regulations. * Takes Accountability: Assumes personal responsibility for making and keeping realistic agreements and openly owning mistakes and consequences, while demonstrating continuous commitment and consideration for the larger interests of society, the environment, the company and the team. * Creates Clarity & Momentum: Aligns people, processes and systems to create forward momentum. Anticipates and removes impediments. Builds consensus and motivates teams to joint-action to achieve common goals across organizational boundaries & cultural differences. * Thoughtful Problem Solver & Communicator with Executive Presence: Thinks analytically, critically, creatively and communicating with clarity, direction & purpose Proven ability to reconcile competing stakeholder interests, establish trust and clear accountability, build consensus, and influence high-level individual contributors, managers, directors, and vice presidents.  * Intentional Team Builder: Shapes culture, roles & responsibilities with care & empathy to create engaged, empowered & high-performing interdisciplinary teams, working frameworks and processes that drive results & ensure project success. * Attentive Listener: Listens actively while withholding judgment and advice. Clarifies intentions & motivations to anticipate and address potential conflicts & avoid misunderstanding. * Drives Diversity: Acts from a deep-rooted belief that we build better teams & products when we empower & learn from the broadest spectrum of humanity. * Thrives in Ambiguity: Approaches challenges with an open and curious mindset and a strong bias towards action. Zooms out to systematically map out the situation and is comfortable making impactful decisions based on limited or conflicting information. * Develops Strategy, Partnerships & Business: Strong empathy, influencing and negotiation skills that help create alignment around product execution, budgets, resources, program planning, etc. Highly execution focused by working in conjunction with various stakeholders and counterparts Required Specialized Skills: * Demonstrated successes in developing strong long-term working relationships across many layers of an international organization and across cultural boundaries. * Cross-team resource management to align and reach project goals.   * Able to provide both high-level strategic context and dive into the weeds on Continuous Development and Release Process Management. * Proven success in technical program management for large organizations. Extensive experience leading multiple cross-functional, interdisciplinary teams through function release & validation. * Deep understanding of vehicle software architecture and the fundamentals of different electronics system on modern vehicles.  * Experience managing multiple product areas and backlogs simultaneously. * Comfortable interacting with executive managements across multiple business functions * Profound knowledge of Automotive processes and standards Desired Skills: * Experience coordinating regional launch milestone steering, test facility operations, test bench readiness, and remote test automation activities across brand, CARIAD SE, and regional technical stakeholders. * Ability to manage clear team responsibilities, interfaces and reporting for multiple overlapping stakeholders. * Deep understanding of VW Group Product Development & Release Processes. * History of working with VW Group suppliers * Extensive Network within the Volkswagen. Groups R&D Organizations. * Bi-lingual in German & English. Workplace Flexibility: * Extensive work schedule flexibility for remote meetings & workshops during German business hours. * Domestic and international travel required based on business need. Years of Relevant Experience: * 8+ years of automotive product development experience, including experience coordinating test scope, release readiness, and issue resolution for automotive software and platform programs. Required Education: * Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related technical field Desired Education:  * Master's Degree (or equivalent) in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related technical field   Compensation  Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training.   CARIAD, Inc. provides performance based merits and annual bonus along with a competitive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match and defined contribution plan, short and long term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment plans, maternity and non-primary caregiver leave, adoption assistance, employee referral program and vacation and paid holidays. We also offer a unique vehicle lease program that covers registration and insurance fees.   CARIAD 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.   Employment with CARIAD Inc. is subject to export control and sanctions compliance. Some positions may involve access to technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. legal restrictions on release to certain foreign persons based on citizenship or permanent residence. To ensure compliance, applicants will be required to provide information for screening. Employment may be contingent on the outcome, including verification of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, or confirmation that a license, exemption, or exception applies. CARIAD retains the discretion to decline to obtain a required license in any case. By applying, you acknowledge and agree to participate in this process.  This job description is intended to describe the primary responsibilities and level of work being performed. Employees/contractors may be required to perform other duties as assigned. The description is a guideline and does not create contractual rights between the Company and any of its employees/contractors. The Company does not enter into any type of employment contract, implied or written, with its employees regarding job security.  Employment with CARIAD Inc. is subject to export control and sanctions compliance. Some positions may involve access to technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. legal restrictions on release to certain foreign persons based on citizenship or permanent residence. To ensure compliance, applicants will be required to provide information for screening. Employment may be contingent on the outcome, including verification of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, or confirmation that a license, exemption, or exception applies. CARIAD retains the discretion to decline to obtain a required license in any case. By applying, you acknowledge and agree to participate in this process.

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