Propulsion System Chief Engineer

The Propulsion System Chief Engineer (SCE) is the single-point technical leader responsible for the execution, development, validation, integration, and launch of propulsion systems across Stellantis vehicle programs. The SCE provides overall technical leadership and direction for propulsion system development, ensuring achievement of program targets related to cost, timing, quality, performance, efficiency, mass, durability, propulsion regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.

The SCE directs and coordinates a cross-functional engineering organization consisting of component Chief Engineers, Family/Project Managers, Controls and Calibration Engineers, Design Release Engineers (DREs), Technical Specialists, Validation Engineers, Manufacturing representatives, and supplier partners. The role is accountable for total propulsion system integration and optimization, including engines, transmissions, hybrid systems, batteries, electric drive modules, power electronics, controls, calibration, thermal systems, electrical distribution systems, and associated software.

The SCE serves as the primary technical interface to the Chief Vehicle Engineer (CVE), Platform Functional Development Integration (PFDI), Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Program Management, and executive leadership teams. Through a systems engineering approach, the SCE drives technical decision-making, issue resolution, risk management, and trade-off assessments to ensure successful program execution and launch readiness.

Job Duties:

• Provides overall technical leadership and ownership for propulsion system development from concept through launch and production.
• Lead all technical aspects of assigned propulsion system programs, ensuring customer requirements, regulatory requirements, and vehicle functional objectives are achieved.
• Directs system-level engineering activities across propulsion hardware, software, controls, calibration, validation, and manufacturing integration.
• Ensures teams follow corporate engineering processes, development procedures, best practices, and quality standards.
• Drives system-level optimization and trade-off decisions balancing performance, fuel economy, emissions, electrification requirements, cost, quality, manufacturability, mass, and timing.
• Oversees development activities and ensure required resources, engineering support, and technical enablers are available to achieve program milestones.
• Leads resolution of propulsion system technical issues and coordinate cross-functional activities involving vehicle systems, active chassis, electrical architecture, thermal systems, and other vehicle domains.
• Manages propulsion system integration activities throughout design, validation, assembly plant implementation, launch readiness, and ongoing production support.
• Ensures successful execution of propulsion system validation plans, fleet testing activities, pilot builds, and launch support activities.
• Provides technical leadership for propulsion controls and calibration integration activities.
• Leads system-level risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue escalation processes.
• Fosters a high-performance engineering culture focused on accountability, technical excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
• Communicates and escalates program status and issues appropriately

Job Responsibilities:

• Serves as the recognized single point of accountability for all propulsion system engineering activities and system-level deliverables for assigned programs.
• Leads the Propulsion System Chief Table and coordinate activities across all propulsion engineering stakeholders.
• Maintains overall ownership of TCQP objectives:
• Timing
• Cost
• Quality
• Performance
• Owns achievement of propulsion system program targets including:
• Performance
• Fuel Economy / Energy Consumption
• Propulsion Regulatory Compliance
• Range
• Drivability
• NVH
• Durability
• Mass
• Cost
• Quality Metrics
• Leads system-level technical reviews and ensure successful completion of PDSP/PSDP milestone reviews, management reviews, and executive presentations.
• Develops, manages, and coordinates propulsion engineering milestone plans supporting design releases, prototype builds, pilot builds, validation testing, manufacturing implementation, and vehicle launch.
• Interfaces directly with Program Management, PFDI, CVE organizations, Manufacturing Plants, Purchasing, Suppliers, and Executive Leadership.
• Owns propulsion system integration, controls, calibration, and vehicle-level functional performance.
• Ensures appropriate prioritization, ownership, and closure of system-level issues and concerns.
• Leads cross-functional teams in root cause investigations and development of corrective action plans.
• Provides technical guidance and decision-making authority for subsystem trade-offs to optimize overall vehicle and propulsion system performance.
• Drives execution of power cube validation and propulsion system verification activities.
• Monitors program status, identify emerging risks, and communicate program health through leadership reviews and business updates.
• Supports strategic propulsion technology planning and implementation across future vehicle programs.
• Champions continuous improvement initiatives and lessons learned across propulsion engineering organizations.
• Collaborates with global engineering teams to ensure alignment of technical solutions, standards, and best practices.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited university.
• Minimum 10 years of engineering experience in product development, propulsion systems, controls, calibration, electrification, system integration, or related automotive engineering disciplines.
• Minimum 5 years of technical leadership experience in propulsion system development.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of automotive product development processes and vehicle launch activities.
• Experience with system engineering methodologies, requirement management, integration, validation, and issue resolution.
• Experience managing technical trade-offs involving cost, timing, quality, performance, efficiency, and manufacturability.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, global, and highly collaborative environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong systems engineering mindset with ability to optimize complex vehicle and propulsion interactions.
• Exceptional leadership, influencing, and decision-making skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities with a data-driven approach.
• Ability to decompose complex technical challenges into actionable solutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to lead without direct authority.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Effective communication with technical teams, executive leadership, suppliers, and manufacturing organizations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under aggressive timing constraints.
• Proven ability to drive issue resolution and deliver results in challenging environments.
• Customer-focused mindset with commitment to product excellence and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Science degree in Engineering or MBA.
• Experience as a Chief Engineer, System Integration Leader, Technical Manager, or Engineering Manager in propulsion systems.
• Experience with electrified propulsion systems including HEV, PHEV, REEV, and BEV architectures.
• Experience with engine, transmission, battery, eDrive, inverter, controls, or calibration development.
• Experience launching propulsion systems in North America and/or global markets.
• Knowledge of vehicle assembly plant operations and launch processes.
• Familiarity with Stellantis product development processes, quality systems, and program management tools.
• Demonstrated success leading global engineering teams through vehicle development and launch.