Product Strategist, Powertrain Technology

Daimler Truck North America•Portland, OR

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

DTNA Product Strategy serves as the central hub for defining, aligning, and advancing the company’s long-term product direction across a highly complex, global commercial vehicle portfolio. This team translates market intelligence, customer insights, competitive dynamics, the regulatory landscape, emerging technologies, supplier product roadmaps and overall funding requirements into actionable product strategies and investment decisions that shape the future of Daimler Truck offerings. In this role, you will operate at the intersection of product strategy, technical development, and executive leadership. You will lead cross-functional product initiatives from concept through execution and lifecycle management, while shaping long-term product vision and roadmaps 5–10 years into the future. This includes identifying future product opportunities and translating emerging technologies and market trends into actionable development strategies. You will participate in major product programs, supporting scope definition, business case development, financial performance, timing, and risk management. This includes building and presenting executive-ready materials that inform key strategic decisions and influence senior leadership direction. A core element of this role is the ability to translate complex technical content into clear product strategies. You will work closely with Engineering and other technical partners to define system requirements and product configurations, ensuring solutions meet both customer needs and business objectives. A strong technical aptitude is critical to effectively challenge assumptions and shape product definitions. This role will focus on supporting Product Strategy for Powertrain Technologies, such as Axles, Drivelines and propulsion features. Success in this role requires extensive cross-functional and global collaboration. You will help with alignment efforts across Sales & Marketing, Engineering, Procurement, Finance, Manufacturing, Connectivity, and Aftermarket teams—while also partnering with international Daimler Truck organizations (including Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Daimler Truck Specialty Vehicles, Truck Australia, and Daimler Truck Mexico). This role demands the ability to build consensus across diverse teams, while influencing and driving decisions in a complex, matrixed environment. Equally important, you will serve as the voice of the customer, representing the needs of fleets, drivers, dealers, and Truck Equipment Manufacturers (TEMs) in daily decision-making. This requires deep engagement with market inputs and the ability to balance customer value with technical feasibility and business performance. This is a highly visible, high-impact role designed for individuals who thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and are motivated by shaping product strategy at both a tactical and organizational level. You will gain exposure to senior leadership, expand your influence across the global Daimler Truck network, and play a pivotal role in defining the next generation of commercial vehicles.

Requirements

A Bachelors degree in Business, Marketing, Project Management, Engineering, or related field
2 years of relevant experience
Knowledge of Daimler Truck North America systems and business processes
Experience in project management or leading teams
Proficiency in Microsoft Office including skills with Excel, PowerPoint, and Copilot
Solid communicator with good networking skills
Well organized, able to handle multiple detailed tasks and work professionally with various levels of management
Excellent communication and persuasion/negotiation skills
Ability to deliver compelling presentations
Ability to learn and deep dive technical topics, and to become a subject-matter expert in Powertrain
An attached resume required

Nice To Haves

Experience with customer and dealer interactions
Experience with Engineering interactions
Familiarity with Daimler powertrain technologies (esp. Axles, driveline and PTO)
Familiarity with DTNA’s Strategy and Project Management processes
Experience working with various DTNA databases & tools (EMMA, Order Explorer, SpecPro, Tableau, Power BI )

Responsibilities

Support Powertrain Product Strategy Manager, including identifying relevant data sources for emerging technologies, market trends, compiling customer needs, knowledge of competitor's actions, etc.
Support Powertrain Product Strategy team members in all areas, particularly Axles and Drivelines and PTO’s
Support Product Strategy and Detroit team in all Axles and FSG teams in all Axles and Driveline projects and initiatives.
Translate customer, market, and technical inputs into actionable product strategies and initiatives, owning execution from concept through launch and lifecycle optimization, within the context of NOWs and PAR-Lites.
Own product definition and related documentation for Powertrain projects
Create, manage, and own Powertrain Master Product Definitions, Master Volume sheets, and related documentation.
Support end-to-end product and program management activities (SW & HW), both globally and locally, ensuring delivery of best-in-class product solutions within scope, timing, and budget.
Drive alignment across diverse, global stakeholders with competing priorities, working with large cross-functional teams and enabling timely, data-informed decision making.
Champion continuous improvement and operational excellence, fostering a high-performing, collaborative team environment.
Travel occasionally to trade shows, industry events, Detroit or dealer and/or customer events.