Director, Strategic Engineering Programs

Aptiv•USA Walnut Creek, CA

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Strategic Engineering Programs serves as a trusted advisor to the CVP of Engineering & Product, helping shape strategy, support executive decision-making, and accelerate execution across Product Management and Engineering. This highly visible leadership role keeps product vision, investment priorities, customer needs, and engineering execution aligned. The director partners with Product and Engineering leaders to advance strategic initiatives, improve organizational effectiveness, and drive measurable business outcomes. The role leads high-impact cross-functional initiatives and supports planning around product portfolio priorities, roadmaps, resource tradeoffs, and investment decisions. It facilitates executive reviews and strategic planning, prepares executive communications and Board materials, and anticipates risks and resolves cross-functional issues. The role is based at one of the listed locations and is described as hybrid on-site. Candidates must be a U.S. national or Canadian citizen without citizenship of another country and must be able to complete the required security clearance process. Success is measured by alignment between product strategy, roadmap execution, and business outcomes; delivery of strategic initiatives across Product Management and Engineering; clearer and faster executive decisions; stronger organizational focus and collaboration; and measurable progress against key business, customer, and technology objectives.

Requirements

10+ years of leadership experience in strategy, product strategy, business operations, consulting, chief of staff, program leadership, or related fields.
Proven experience partnering closely with executive leaders in product and technology organizations.
Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide strategic and transformational initiatives.
Strong understanding of Product Management, product development lifecycles, and engineering operating models.
Exceptional communication, executive influence, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to drive alignment and outcomes across functions without direct authority.
Must be a U.S. national or Canadian citizen without citizenship of another country.
Must be able to complete the required security clearance process and be legally able to perform the fundamental job duties.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CVP of Engineering & Product to drive strategic priorities, organizational alignment, and executive decision-making.
Advise across Product Management and Engineering, connecting product strategy, roadmap priorities, technology investments, and business objectives.
Lead high-impact cross-functional initiatives spanning Product, Engineering, Go-to-Market, Customer Success, and other partner organizations.
Drive planning and alignment around product portfolio priorities, roadmap execution, resource tradeoffs, and investment decisions.
Facilitate executive reviews, strategic planning, roadmap discussions, and leadership operating rhythms.
Shape executive communications, Board materials, and strategic narratives that communicate progress, priorities, and business impact.
Anticipate risks, resolve cross-functional issues, and accelerate progress on the organization's highest-priority initiatives.