Assistant Chief Engineer - R7P(RAM), JL/JT (Jeep) Drivelines

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

About The Position

The Assistant Chief Engineer will be responsible for the technical oversight of Light Duty RAM (R7P), Jeep Wrangler (JL) & Gladiator (JT) Internal Combustion (ICE), Hybrid (HEV) and Electric (BEV) Drivelines and Architectures. This role ensures program deliverables and functional objectives (cost, timing, efficiency, performance, mass, NVH, and quality metrics) are met or exceeded. The position involves oversight of all aspects of the Axle/Driveline/AWD/4WD project for a given vehicle family, including hardware, software, calibration, packaging, builds, validation, and documentation. The Assistant Chief Engineer acts as a key interface to Propulsion and Vehicle teams for technical responses, program updates, and gate reviews. The role also supports the Chief Engineer's Technical Interface with various departments including Vehicle & Propulsion System Integration, Chassis/Brakes, EE Core, ePT, Controls, Calibration, AME, Purchasing, Quality, Suppliers, and Supply Operations. Responsibilities include oversight of the entire Axle/Driveline/AWD/4WD system, hardware-software-controls integration, diagnostics DFMEA/DRBFM, and coordinating engineering milestone dates for builds. The Assistant Chief Engineer is the technical owner and integrator for axle, driveline, transfer case, gear reducer, and 4WD systems, bridging component engineering, vehicle engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and validation organizations to ensure a robust, manufacturable, cost-effective, and high-quality system. This position provides technical leadership from concept through launch, driving architecture decisions, integration, validation, risk management, quality initiatives, manufacturability, and program execution while supporting Chief Engineering objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related degree field.
8 or more years of overall experience.
Proven engineering experience in transmission, Axles and driveline design, release, development, validation, calibration, manufacturing, Problem Solving and program management, etc.
Working knowledge of Proactive DFSS and Green Belt certification.
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
Expertise in DFMEA, DRBFM, DVP&R, DRBTR.
Strong background of GD&T, Tolerance Stack ups and VSA.
Technical Project Management Experience.

Nice To Haves

Masters in engineering field (Mechanical or Automotive).
Problem Solving Reactive Green belt (Shanin Journeyman).
Working knowledge of CAD/CAE Tools and analysis.
Project Management Certification PMP from PMI.
Experienced with Data Acquisitions, CANalyzer and data logger tools.

Responsibilities

Technical oversight of Light Duty RAM (R7P), Jeep Wrangler (JL) & Gladiator (JT) Internal Combustion (ICE), Hybrid (HEV) and Electric (BEV) Drivelines and Architectures.
Ensure meeting or exceeding program deliverables and functional objectives (cost, timing, efficiency, performance, mass, NVH, and quality metrics).
Oversight of all aspects of the Axle/Driveline/AWD/4WD project for a given vehicle family (hardware, software, calibration, packaging, builds, validation, ED&D, DVPR, Statement of Work, Design Change Requests, etc.).
Act as key interface to the Propulsion and Vehicle teams for Bulletin responses, program updates and PSDP Gates inputs / reviews.
Support the Chief Engineer's Technical Interface to Vehicle & Propulsion System Integration, Chassis/Brakes, EE Core, ePT, Controls, Calibration, AME, Purchasing, Quality, Suppliers and Supply Operations.
Provide oversight of entire Axle/Driveline/AWD/4WD system (i.e. controls, SW, calibration, HW) including hardware - software - controls integration and diagnostics DFMEA/DRBFM.
Develop & coordinate acceptable engineering milestone dates to support critical mule and pilot builds (i.e. qty, MRD, design content, calibration needs, etc.).
Lead engineering teams to deliver prototype & production solutions that meet vehicle / program requirements.
Review, approve & track the System DVP&R and support the development of the component DVP&Rs.
Co-lead proactive Risk Management tasks with QRE Team (i.e. DFMEAs, DFSS, LUR, Heat Map, Reliability Demonstration).
Track & lead resolution of all GIMs and coordinate all Trade-off Studies (TOS).
Support Purchasing, Supply Operations and PM in the Source Package planning.
Lead program cost roll ups (i.e. piece cost, tooling, ED&D) with manufacturing engineers & SCIE.
Coordinate the execution of Performance & Fuel Economy for specific applications (AE to support tasks).
Lead Data acquisition and analysis using CDT, NI systems, CANalyzer, CANoe, and data loggers including ECU integration and electrical isolation testing.
Co-owner of the “Top 10 List” to address JD Power, CQI & 3MIS issues. Works with assigned Leads (i.e. Cal, Development, Engineering) to implement improvements.
Represent chief organization in high level meetings as needed (Steering Committees, PRs, MRs, IH mtgs, PC-prep mtgs, VIT mtgs, etc.).
Lead build readiness tasks (build fixtures, test fixtures, dyno support).
Lead the technical reviews/evaluations and technical specification signoffs. (Design Reviews).
Lead the technical responses to investigate/action bulletins that relate to the technology.
Coordination of Technical Cost Reductions (TCRs) / Value Optimization (VO) and Benchmarking.
Lead Warranty analysis, form and lead cross functional teams including suppliers to analysis, root cause and resolve Warranty issues and reduce Warranty spendings.
Lead reactive problem solving using 8D and RedX methodologies.
Create and review DFMEA, DRBFM, DVP&R and DRBTR’s.
Perform and analyze GD&T on key interfaces for driveline components and assemblies.
Own system-level definition, integration, and balancing of: Front and rear axle systems, Drivelines and prop shafts, Transfer cases, Gear reducers, 4WD functional software, Vehicle interfaces and supporting subsystems.
Ensure technical alignment and integration across: Axles, Suspension systems, Steering systems, Brake systems, Frame and chassis systems, Powertrain interfaces, Calibration teams, Manufacturing organizations, Suppliers, Validation organizations.
Translate vehicle-level requirements into subsystem and component-level design requirements.
Maintain consistency of engineering assumptions, requirements, interface definitions, and design intent across all supporting organizations.
Lead system integration reviews and technical assessments to ensure robust vehicle performance, durability, manufacturability, NVH, serviceability, and quality objectives are achieved.
Identify system architecture, integration, packaging, structural, manufacturing, and validation of risks.
Review and approve engineering change notices and design modifications.
Ensure lessons learned, engineering checklists, technical standards, and engineering best practices are updated and incorporated into future designs.
Act as the Chief Engineer's representative for program lessons learned activities.
Collaborate with Technical Specialists and Centers of Excellence to continuously improve technical standards and design practices.
Manage engineering complexity and assembly part number strategies.
Maintain BOM structures and complexity charts for axle, driveline, transfer case, and gear reducer systems.
Coordinate engineering release readiness and design freeze activities.
Lead Technical Cost Reduction (TCR) and Value Optimization initiatives.
Work closely with PRC, DVC, suppliers, purchasing, and value optimization teams to identify cost-saving opportunities.
Support Chief Engineering leadership with Resource planning, Manpower forecasting, Engineering budgets, ER&D / ED&D cost rollups, New program planning.
Support business case development and program execution strategies.