Director - X-in-the-Loop Frameworks & Platforms

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

19h

About The Position

The Director of X-in-the-Loop (xIL) Frameworks & Platforms defines and leads virtual validation capabilities for Software Defined Vehicles. The role sets the strategy, evolution, and adoption of an xIL ecosystem spanning Software-in-the-Loop (SiL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL), Virtual ECU (vECU), simulation, virtualization, cloud-based validation, and test automation. It advances a virtual-first engineering model so teams can develop, integrate, verify, and validate vehicle software earlier and more efficiently using scalable platforms, automated workflows, and continuous verification. The role defines and executes the long-term vision and roadmap for virtual validation across Software Engineering within Product Development & Technology. It aligns technology investments and priorities, shapes virtualization strategy, builds business cases for transformational investments, and measures value through adoption, productivity improvements, and software quality outcomes. The Director leads development of a scalable, harmonized xIL ecosystem of reusable platforms, frameworks, and services integrated with development and validation workflows. The position drives standardization, interoperability, and adoption across domains and concurrent vehicle programs, balancing shared platform needs with program-specific requirements. It also leads organizational transformation toward virtual validation, continuous verification, and software-centric engineering, influencing engineering stakeholders and fostering innovation, automation, and continuous improvement on the path to a virtual vehicle ecosystem.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
10 or more years of significant experience in automotive software, embedded systems, validation, simulation, virtualization, or related engineering disciplines, including experience supporting multiple vehicle domains and complex system integration environments.
Demonstrated leadership experience in software validation, virtualization, simulation, or xIL technologies.
Proven success defining and executing technology roadmaps and engineering transformation initiatives.
Demonstrated experience developing technology strategies, business cases, and adoption plans for enterprise engineering platforms or validation ecosystems.
Strong understanding of modern software development practices, including CI/CD, DevOps, Continuous Testing, and software quality engineering.
Demonstrated experience managing strategic technology partnerships and supplier ecosystems, including technology evaluation, vendor selection, integration, roadmap alignment, and capability deployment.
Experience with cloud-based engineering, simulation, or validation platforms supporting large-scale software development environments.
Experience operating effectively within large, matrixed engineering environments.
Exceptional communication, influence, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
Experience with Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) development.
Deep expertise in one or more of SiL, HiL, vECU, simulation and virtual verification, test automation platforms, or cloud-based engineering environments.
Experience building platform organizations and driving enterprise-wide adoption.
Experience with Model-Based Engineering (MBE), Model-Based Design (MBD), or model-centered verification methodologies.
Familiarity with AI-assisted engineering, virtual vehicle technologies, digital twins, or advanced simulation frameworks.

Responsibilities

Define and execute the long-term vision, strategy, and roadmap for virtual validation capabilities across Software Engineering within Product Development & Technology.
Champion virtual-first engineering practices and anticipate future software validation needs for increasingly complex Software Defined Vehicle programs.
Align technology investments, priorities, and capabilities to accelerate software delivery, improve quality, and lay the foundation for a virtual vehicle environment.
Shape the organization's virtualization strategy, build business cases for transformational technology investments, and ensure measurable value realization through adoption, productivity, and software quality outcomes.
Lead development of a scalable, harmonized xIL ecosystem spanning SiL, HiL, vECU, simulation, virtualization, and automated verification technologies.
Deliver reusable platforms, frameworks, and services that integrate into software development and validation workflows.
Drive standardization, interoperability, and platform adoption to establish a consistent engineering experience across domains.
Enable efficient deployment and operation of xIL capabilities across concurrent vehicle programs while balancing common platform needs with program-specific requirements.
Drive adoption of virtual validation, continuous verification, and software-centric engineering practices across the organization.
Influence stakeholders across software engineering, systems engineering, integration, validation, and domain teams to establish xIL technologies as part of everyday engineering workflows.
Foster innovation, automation, and continuous improvement while advancing the roadmap toward a virtual vehicle ecosystem.