VP Platform Software, Infotainment

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.

Role Summary:

The VP Platform Software, Infotainment will manage a high functioning engineering team for delivering scalable innovative infotainment software solutions to delight our users. This role will coordinate cross-functional teams including hardware and software stakeholders and partner closely with product & engineering leadership team to formulate product vision, create technical solutions, and drive execution. The role will collaborate daily with product, program, business, and technical counterparts across CARIAD’s globally distributed teams – with a strong focus on partner teams in Germany. 

Role Responsibilities:

Leadership Responsibilities 

• Build a strong team of system software and embedded engineers and manage the team to develop project plans, goals and milestones to expedite landing of model IVI technology stack and design
• Build strong partnerships with other engineering teams and relevant cross-functional partners to support escalations and enable issue resolution
• Track milestones, progress, dependencies, and identify issues closely while communicating effectively to leadership and stakeholders and work with them to mitigate risks

Technical Responsibilities

• Create solid foundational software for Cariad’s global IVI stack and ensure module programs are well designed to meet the needs of CARIAD vehicle programs and pivot on an as needed basis
• Lead and drive the development and integration of relevant components and modules alongside the cross-functional engineering teams, and effectively communicate status to stakeholders
• Identify and address programmatic risks to mitigate exposure while driving effective, pragmatic process and systems improvement 

General Skills:

• Demonstrated experience leading cross functional teams to quickly solve complex issues 
• Proven experience delivering complex projects in short timelines 
• Excellent written and verbal skills; able to communicate with all parts of the organization 
• High level analytical ability where problems are unusual and complex 

Required Specialized Skills:

• Experience building a tech focused software engineering team to develop infotainment solutions for automotive OEMs
• Experience launching Android based IVI solutions in production vehicles
• Detailed knowledge of infotainment platform technologies including Android OS, embedded systems, drivers, bootloaders, HAL and performance tuning etc. and integration process, including experience with software integration

Workplace Flexibility:

• Calls, (virtual and in-person) meetings & workshops (overlapping with German business hours as needed) to align with stakeholders and development teams in Germany.   
• International and domestic travel to provide on-site support and planning/integration workshops with our internal and external stakeholders. 

Years of Relevant Experience:

• Minimum 20 years of experience in software engineering
• Minimum 15 years of experience in software platform and embedded in the field of infotainment or consumer electronics
• Minimum 8 years in a management or engineering leadership role

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Computer Engineering or a related discipline

Desired Education: 

• Master’s degree in computer science, Computer Engineering or a related discipline

Compensation

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training. I