Prototype Workshop Manager
 Volkswagen Group of America | |
 United States, California, Oxnard | |
 Mar 07, 2025 | |
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Primary Location
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United States-California-Oxnard
Description
Job Description Role Summary: The Manager Prototype Workshop (MPW) oversees, manages, executes and coordinates all engineering testing activities of prototype/pre-series test cars. The test data and analysis reports, which are generated by a team of engineers, specialist and highly skilled technicians, will be utilized internationally for decision-making and approval processes in order to reach milestones within the VW Group Product Development Process (PDP). The role is located at the VWGoA Oxnard Engineering Campus (OEC) and encompasses full accountability regarding conclusiveness and accuracy of test results, meeting deadlines set forth by the vehicle projects, as well as budget and resource management. The OEC is a key location to support and execute the NAR Engineering strategy, to fulfill regulatory requirements concerning certification activities, as well as to support various engineering testing activities. The role reports directly to the Vice President, US Testing and requires a high level of independence, as well as operational decision-making capabilities while interfacing with development entities within NAR Engineering and VWAG. Role Responsibilities: Management / Strategy - 30 % of time * Escalates to US Testing Leadership potential issues related to product compliance, as well as possible significant project concerns that could potentially result in delays of certification or production. * Strategically assesses short and long-term budget, investment, and headcount requirements, as well as executes chargeback billing for the organizational unit in close cooperation with VWGoA Finance Controlling * Enhances Workshops team's operational excellence by setting and attaining clear, precise, and achievable key performance indicators on an annual basis. * As a member of the US Testing Core Leadership team, contributes to consensus and decision-making process to ensures aligned with the overall US Testing and NAR Engineering strategy. * Grows and enhances technical competencies and expertise within the organizational unit to support further NAR Engineering regionalization efforts and development job split. Prototype Workshop Operations - 50 % of time Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) Testing * Independently manages team tasks and testing responsibilities in regard to the OBD fleet evaluation of up to 50 prototype vehicles; consequently, supports reaching milestones in the product development process for production software releases, running changes and customer service actions * Oversees testing priorities, schedules, reporting, documentation and testing operations * Guides team to completion of regular updates of software and hardware as well as maintenance and repair of test vehicles * Responsible for accomplishing technical requirements in operation of OEC based OBD test at other corporate location. * Liaison to OBD Development teams (VWAG, VWMX, Bentley Motors) to ensure coordination of test plans, trips, open topics, and ongoing strategic partnerships. Whole Vehicle Durability Testing * Independently manages team tasks and testing responsibilities in regard to the Whole Vehicle Durability Fleet evaluation of up to 10 prototype vehicles; consequently, supports reaching milestones in the product development process concept releases. * Works closely with Senior Manager, Durability Testing at the APG to ensure optimally synergized operations to meet testing milestones. * Ensures adequate resources are in place to effectively support Durability Testing at the OEC * Oversees completion of software/hardware updates and related reporting to effectively meet software and hardware release deadlines. * Coordinates the future testing platform catalog (CLUU) to accurately convey function-testing results. Brake System Testing * Responsible for Brake Testing operation at the OEC effectively supporting the hardware release for VW NAR projects as part of the Product Development Process * Oversee management of Brake Test build, instrumentation, and test completion. Ensure technical and informational resources are in place to meet customer needs for Brake Test * Management of full-time driver staff outside of daily Brake Testing needs to ensure coverage and completion of other ongoing projects, fleets, and facility topics at the OEC. * Maintains network within Chassis Development (VWAG, VWMX) to strategize on upcoming testing requirements and investments (i.e. dust emissions, tire emissions) * When applicable coordinating cold Brake Testing at cold weather stations Special Test Programs Provides technical and engineering analysis; ad-hoc. * Acts as "Primary Point of Contact" for visiting engineering and test teams at the OEC. Communicates, quotes, and coordinates with various internal and external groups to conduct special testing programs: testing of prototypes, customer cars, test fleet vehicles, and OEC Facility rental. * Upon request, coordinates technical and evaluation support of Management level Test Drives, including at other VWGoA Corporate locations. * Responsible for vehicle destruction process at the OEC as specified by fleet owners while including supplying official documentation for US Customs and ensuring environmental compliance throughout the process. * Collaborates with department Managers to provide technical support to other engineering groups at Oxnard campus as requested to accomplish shared goals. * Supervises preparation, measurement, and analysis support of Emissions Laboratory customer's vehicle testing. HR/Governance & Compliance - 20 % of time * Creates, owns, and approves documented OEC Workshop work instructions and reviews respective standards and instructions, evaluates effectiveness, and develops new methodologies to optimize workflows and efficiency on an ongoing basis. * Ensures all operational efforts are utilizing established work processes and management systems. Supports all governance efforts to maintain, update and continuously improve the process and work instructions utilized by the US Testing departments at the OEC. * Supports hiring managers during recruiting and onboarding of new members to ensure proper training, materials and systems access is requested and available. * Manages and administers performance and talent management process for all direct reports, set goals and objectives, provides constructive feedback, and creates development plans. * Creates, maintains, reviews, and evaluates job descriptions for direct reports and initiates hiring process as needed. * Assures the adequate qualification of team employees for the defined tasks in order to meet all KPI's set forth by each applicable management system. Qualifications
Qualifications Years of Experience:
Education - Required
Education - Desired:
Skills:
Specialized Skills - Required:
Specialized Skills - Desired:
Work Flexibility:
Compensation: In the state of California, the salary range is $111,700.00 - $170,500.00. Current VWGoA employees applying for a promotion into management (People Leader & Expert levels) will be considered against the Access/Appointment Criteria requirements. For more information on these requirements, please click here. Volkswagen Group of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws. | |