Senior Manager, Vehicle Validation

The US Vehicle Integration team at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. is pivotal in establishing the brand's technological leadership in the US luxury vehicle market. The team works collaboratively to drive innovation by translating US customer feedback into impactful propositions, focusing on software-defined vehicles and thorough testing of the overall vehicle across various domains, including infotainment, connected cars, E/E systems, and BEV/HEV charging technologies. Together with supporting Mercedes-Benz North America vehicle workshops and operations, their efforts ensure a seamless customer experience that uphold Mercedes-Benz's high standards.

 

We are searching for a dynamic and inspiring leader to serve as Senior Manager overseeing the complete scope of overall vehicle validation with a specific focus on Electrics/Electronics Integration, OTA, and Vehicle Durability Testing. In this high‑impact role, you will lead a highly skilled vehicle testing team with the clear mission of delivering innovative, high‑quality, and mature vehicles to U.S. customers, fully aligned with Mercedes‑Benz brand, performance, and quality standards.

On the overall vehicle E/E and OTA front, this role provides strategic and technical oversight for people leadership, testing operations, and defect management activities. The E/E Integration and OTA Validation team’s objective is to update, test, validate, and perform an integrated release for the US market as integral partner within the global R&D Team.

On the Vehicle Durability front, you will lead the team responsible for all Mercedes-Benz conventional and electric powertrain durability testing in the US Market while evaluating the full vehicle quality.

You will integrate with the various system functions (Telematics, ADAS, Body, etc.) and drive closure of the most relevant defects improving vehicle maturity in the US market within one joint team. This role will keep US Market requirements aligned with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and high quality customer journey with focus on Mercedes-Benz’s goal to “best-in-class Customer Experience”.

Beyond project delivery, you’ll work closely with Senior Management and department leaders to shape and evolve our project management methodology, championing continuous improvement, and empowering engineers in their career and technical growth. If you’re passionate about pushing boundaries, fostering team excellence, and shaping the next generation of software defined vehicles, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact.

As a Senior Manager, you will provide strategic, technical, and people leadership for vehicle integration and durability testing activities that directly impact the quality and readiness of Mercedes‑Benz vehicles delivered to U.S. customers. Your mission is to ensure vehicles reach the market with strong technical maturity, high robustness, and uncompromising quality, while enabling innovation in an increasingly software‑defined and electrified vehicle landscape.

You will lead and grow a high‑performing engineering team, setting a clear vision and priorities while creating an environment that encourages collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. A significant part of your role involves coaching leaders and engineers, guiding career development, and shaping a team culture that balances technical excellence with sustainable ways of working.

On a day‑to‑day basis, you can expect to operate at the intersection of people leadership, program execution, and strategic alignment. You will regularly engage with project plans, staffing and budget outlooks, test scope expansions, and program risks—working closely with project management and senior stakeholders to anticipate challenges and drive solutions. You will provide transparent updates to leadership on vehicle maturity, testing progress, risks, and resource needs to support informed decision‑making.

You will remain closely connected to the product and the vehicles themselves. This includes participating in and overseeing E/E integration and durability test drives, reviewing defect status and maturity reports, and working with global research and development counterparts to drive timely resolution of issues as vehicles progress toward production readiness. Your role helps ensure that defects identified in U.S. testing are clearly prioritized, understood, and addressed before launch.

A typical week may include:

Aligning with engineering leads on testing priorities, vehicle availability, and resource needs

Reviewing program status, risks, and maturity assessments across multiple vehicle lines and projects, including the E/E updating, E/E testing, OV-, OTA- and Durability testing

Engaging with R&D and system owners to influence issue resolution and integration quality

Supporting defect management and quality discussions across E/E domains

Coaching a team of engineers through performance reviews, feedback conversations, and development planning

Guide team decision making and behaviors with Company Core Values

Participating in strategic initiatives within U.S. Vehicle Integration and across Mercedes‑Benz U.S. entities