Advanced Engineering Manager

The Advanced Engineering Manager leads a small, cross-functional R&D team that has one clear objective: turning emerging technology into measurable business impact at May, measured through operational design domain (ODD) expansion and cost optimization. In this role, the manager owns prototypes, the process used to develop them, the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) benches that test them, and works hands-on with the team as its technical escalation point. The manager sets technical direction for next-generation compute and sensors, aimed at lower BOM cost and lower power consumption on future vehicle platforms, and hands proven designs to Core engineering. As the team manager, this role also mentors and develops direct reports and owns the communication and escalation paths between the team and senior leadership.

• →Build, manage, and mentor a small team of specialists in hardware, compute and sensors, and software interface, systems, and test, with regular feedback and technical growth plans. 
• →Collaborate closely with Perception, Motion Planning, and Controls teams to understand tradeoffs and resolve conflicts
• →Own the team’s budget, timelines, scope, and staffing, and report progress and risks to engineering leadership.
• →Define and maintain a 24-month technical roadmap for next-generation compute and sensors, with clear targets and milestones
• →Scout and evaluate emerging technology within the team and decide what to pursue, prototype, or pass on. Lead compute and sensor hardware specification and selection with suppliers, and characterize software performance on target hardware to find bottlenecks and recommend hardware or software fixes. 
• →Own the prototype development process: define the stages, review gates, and exit criteria that take an idea from concept to a tested prototype, and keep the team consistent in how it builds, tests, and documents.
• →Own prototype builds from end to end, including design, fabrication, integration into the vehicle platform, and bring-up, and manage the budget, suppliers, and schedule behind them.
• →Own HIL benches, including their CAN, Ethernet, and serial interfaces, and unit- and subsystem-level testing, using sound methods (V-model, DFMEA, requirements management, test planning) so results lead to clear decisions.
• →Hand off hardware prototypes, test assets, and proven designs to production engineering without giving up safety or scalability.
• →Demonstrate competency through refined integration requirements for our systems that let Product Development and the core engineering team implement the latest technology in our portfolio successfully.
• →Work with the safety team so early designs align with ISO 26262, SOTIF (ISO 21448), and UL 4600, and prototypes can be tested safely on public roads.

Success in this role typically requires the following competencies:

• Hands-on automotive embedded or hardware development, with strong electrical and electronic hardware design experience.
• Working command of CAN, Ethernet, and serial communication in test and integration settings.
• Clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to work across functional teams.
• Track record of delivering on aggressive schedules in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment, using test data and clear tradeoff analysis to make timely decisions and keep prototype programs on track. 

Candidates most successful in this role typically hold the following qualifications or comparable knowledge or experience:

Required Qualifications:

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Systems, or Robotics Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of engineering experience in autonomous vehicles, ADAS, robotics, or other safety-critical systems, with depth in compute and sensor architecture or hardware development and validation.
• Hands-on experience leading prototype builds and HIL or bench-level testing of automotive or robotics hardware.
• 3+ years of direct people management experience, including hiring, performance management, and development.
• Experience owning a team or program budget, including prototype fabrication or hardware build costs.
• Experience defining requirements for safety-critical systems, with working knowledge of functional safety and SOTIF concepts, DFMEA, and test planning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Hands-on experience with 4D imaging radar, solid-state LiDAR, or automotive high-compute platforms, including BOM cost and power tradeoffs.
• Experience building or running HIL benches, or defining a stage-gate prototype development process.
• Experience with multi-core, lockstep, and watchdog processor architectures, embedded RTOS, and functional-safety-qualified software.
• Experience with UL 4600, safety case development, or ASPICE-style development processes.
• A record of moving R&D work into production with suppliers and contract manufacturers.

• Standard office working conditions which includes but is not limited to:
• Prolonged sitting
• Prolonged standing
• Prolonged computer use
• Travel required? -  Minimal: 1%-10%