Vehicle Safety Helpline Intake Lead and Product investigator

Purpose of Position:

The Vehicle Safety Helpline Intake lead is responsible for triaging cases from the Integrity/Vehicle Safety Helpline related to potential vehicle safety defects, regulatory noncompliance items, or emissions noncompliance concerns. This position works with cross functional teams, analyzes technical data, and ensures cases are accurately documented and presented to the Technical Compliance Committee. 

The Investigator is responsible for leading technical investigations related to potential vehicle safety defects and regulatory noncompliance items. This position coordinates cross functional teams, analyzes field and technical data, and ensures investigations are accurately documented, milestone ready, and aligned with internal governance and regulatory requirements.

Job Description:

The Vehicle Safety Helpline Intake Lead reviews the concern raised through the Vehicle Safety/Integrity Helpline to conclusion serving as the central point of coordination for the case review. Primary responsibilities include: 

• Act as a first point of contact for the review of allegations and questions relating to the cases received through the Integrity Helpline to ensure items are raised to the appropriate investigative area for follow-up and resolution. 

• Provide oversight of Helpline intake and triage for safety, noncompliance, and emissions concerns.  

• Ensure appropriate screening, escalation, confidentiality controls, and coordination with the Business Practices Office  

• Lead and conduct investigations of alleged vehicle safety defects, regulatory noncompliance items, or emissions noncompliance concerns are complete, and evidence is sufficient to support the conclusion. 

• Compile, monitor, and report investigation results to the Technical Compliance Committee 

The Investigator manages the end‑to‑end execution of vehicle safety and compliance investigations, serving as the central point of coordination across engineering, manufacturing, supplier quality, and other functional stakeholders. Primary responsibilities include:

• Conducting technical investigations involving potential safety defects or non‑compliance concerns and determining the appropriate investigative path, including defect theory versus non‑compliance analysis.
• Leading cross‑functional teams through defined investigation milestones by assigning tasks, addressing roadblocks, and ensuring readiness for decision points.
• Driving investigations through internal governance processes, including Triage, Pre‑IRM, IRM, and VRC, when potential safety issues are identified.
• Ensuring data accuracy and integrity through thorough review and analysis of field performance and corporate database information.
• Preparing, reviewing, and maintaining documentation required to support investigation milestones, including checklists, technical summaries, and supporting materials.
• Presenting investigation facts and status updates at key internal forums and governance reviews.
• Engaging subject matter experts as needed to support technical analysis and investigation conclusions.
• Supporting downstream activities related to recall administration, regulatory reporting (e.g., 573/579 submissions), portal uploads, and remedy implementation processes.
• Participate and/or lead RASIL reviews and structured problem‑solving activities

Basic Qualifications:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited university; other engineering degrees or related technical degrees with combined experience may be considered
• 7+ years of experience in cross functional Vehicle Engineering roles
• Detailed understanding of vehicle integration, systems, and validation process
• Knowledge of multiple automotive systems including body, chassis, powertrain and electrical
• Cross functional knowledge of system interactions and vehicle integration
• Passion for excellence, drive for deliver in the presence of obstacles and litigation
• Ability to develop strategic options working with both business and technical assumptions
• Ability to understand and break down complex issues
• Ability to clearly communicate both written and verbal to management, engineering, internal and external stakeholders and regulators
• Ability to lead a team in the execution of deliverables on a condensed timeline 
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously to critical deadlines
• Self-starter with the ability to adjust and adapt to changing inputs within an investigation
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Advanced problem solving and root cause analysis skills