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

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

About The Position

The Director, XIL Frameworks & Platforms defines and leads the next generation of virtual validation capabilities for Software Defined Vehicles (SDV). The role owns the strategy, evolution, and adoption of a modern xIL ecosystem spanning Software-in-the-Loop (SiL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL), Virtual ECU (vECU), simulation, virtualization, cloud-based validation, and test automation technologies. The Director will lead the shift toward a virtual-first engineering model, helping software teams develop, integrate, verify, and validate vehicle software earlier and more efficiently through 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, aligns technology investments and priorities across engineering organizations, and establishes a foundation for a future virtual vehicle environment. It also shapes virtualization strategy, develops business cases for transformational technology investments, and ensures value realization through adoption, productivity improvements, and software quality outcomes. The role leads development of a scalable, harmonized xIL ecosystem and reusable platforms, frameworks, and services that integrate with software development and validation workflows. It drives standardization, interoperability, and platform adoption across domains and concurrent vehicle programs while balancing common platform needs with program-specific requirements. The Director also leads adoption of virtual validation, continuous verification, and software-centric engineering practices, working with stakeholders across software engineering, systems engineering, integration, validation, and domain teams to advance organizational change and the roadmap toward a virtual vehicle ecosystem.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
10+ years of 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 Software-in-the-Loop (SiL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL), Virtual ECU (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 guide xIL technology evolution to support increasingly complex Software Defined Vehicle programs.
Align technology investments, priorities, and capabilities across engineering organizations to accelerate software delivery and improve quality.
Shape virtualization strategy, develop business cases for transformational technology investments, and ensure measurable value through adoption, productivity improvements, and software quality outcomes.
Lead development of a scalable, harmonized xIL ecosystem spanning SiL, HiL, virtual ECU, 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 across domains and vehicle programs, balancing shared platform needs with program-specific requirements.
Lead 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 accelerate organizational change.
Foster a culture of innovation, automation, and continuous improvement while advancing the roadmap toward a virtual vehicle ecosystem.