Senior Transportation Designer

VW. Two letters. Endless opportunities. A bright future.

Innovation. Sophistication. Optimization. This is our Passion.

Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of dramatic innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg is one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN. Here in the US, we are blending German engineering with American ingenuity.

At the Innovation & Engineering Center California (IECC), we represent the Volkswagen Group in applied research and development. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, we create bold new ideas for the Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Porsche brands. We're a team of engineers, designers, scientists, and psychologists looking to develop innovations for future generations of cars, and to transfer technologies from many industries and research institutions into the automotive domain. Our mission is to drive change which means we are not only impacting one of the world's largest car makers, but also the lives of millions of people. Are you ready to join us?

Transportation Designer Sr

Role Summary

The ICC focuses on research and development of leading-edge technologies with the goal to meet the future mobility needs of the Volkswagen Group customer. The ICC also works to test and validate North American vehicle systems to improve and localize those products for the market.

The Transportation Designer Sr - Project manager/leader of a team creating a mobility concept, through strategic research, de-coding and thinking, needs to direct a team in creating concepts and develop a user story including vehicle/product design. Identify needed existing/future technologies to facilitate and complement the concept. The Sr. Transportation Designer will need to supervise/create digital/physical representation using and managing resources available in the studio, and in global internal and external collaborators i.e. Group Innovation, Brands, Universities, Consultants etc.

Role Responsibilities

Creative Management

• Leads field of work at the ICC to sustainably bring ideas to life.

• Develop/create new mobility concepts and product ideas for VW Group globally and within US market based on de-coded information.

• Furthers development of automotive projects (production/concepts) within the parameters of the individual design processes.

• Direct/align concepts into a holistic user/product story.

• Manage/direct concepts and user/product story into quick 3D models and story animations.

• Manage development of concept designs into virtual scale and physical full-size models, respectively.

• Trains and mentors' others at ICC with best practice concept development.

• Collaborates/directs engineers and specialists in other areas (UX, Mechatronics, research, modeling).

• Provides and oversees solutions to existing tasks.

• Help define creative vision for ICC and VW Group.

Strategic Research Management

• Directs project team in research and de-code of information, anticipate long-term future trends and human needs.

• Identifies aligns and define goals and directions for advanced mobility concepts.

• Direct and oversee the organization of relevant materials, analysis and archival.

• Manage and expands network between Volkswagen Group, local Tier 1, Tier 2 suppliers, consultancies, startups and Universities.

Resource Management

• Defines scope, timeline, and deliverables.

• Tracks and adjusts project timeline, resources and KPI's.

• Help secures internal project funding for initiatives from the Brands and Volkswagen Group.

• Project management of internal/contract/external resources.

• Manages and direct internal/external resources on specific mobility concept projects from initial phases until final presentations.

Concept Designer Sr Staff

• Apply broad skills in related fields to design and develop new techniques to use in resolving new challenges.

• Organizes and manages a group of external contract resources (Contractors, Interns).

• Responsible for reviewing completed project documents for conformity, quality and design, and provide mentorship to junior Concept Designer.

• Provide supervision and guidance relating to overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts and policy matters.

Years of Experience:

8-10 years of experience in automotive design and concept development.

Education:

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Automotive or Industrial Design or equivalent.

Desired

• Master's Degree in Automotive or Industrial Design.

Skills:

• Strategic thinking and research (trends, demographics technology etc.).

• Analytical and conceptual thinking - using logic and reason, creative and strategic.

• Directing/creating holistic story telling from user and product perspective.

• Excellent problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication skills - interpersonal, presentation and written.

• Computer savvy - skilled in the use of software.

• Integration - leading people, processes or systems.

• Project and resource management.

• Influencing and negotiation skills.

• Building network with Global/Local teams incl. academia and external partners.

Specialized Skills:

Required

• Build future vision of mobility for the Group.

• Excellent visual communication (drawing, sketching, illustration) skills.

• Managing/Leading multi-disciplinary team in creation of mobility concepts/production vehicles from research analysis, ideation, and concept development.

• Knowledge in up-to-date digital technology (3D CAD software, 2D illustration software).

• Excellent judgment of design proportions and proposals.

• Deep knowledge of American culture and automotive market.

• Excellent ability to direct and compile a holistic user and concept story/journey.

• Excellent verbal communication skills.

• Great understanding of human factors, UX and vehicle interactions.

Desired

• Knowledge of current and future technologies relevant for the future of mobility.

• Knowledge of automotive manufacturing and product planning process.

• Wide interest/knowledge of creative industry (i.e. entertainment, product design, fashion).

• Knowledge of process to plan resource and budget planning/allocation for ongoing and future projects.

Work Flexibility:

• International and domestic travel to meet with internal/external partners.

• Regular conference attendance for Mobility and Design topics.

• Travel for internal and external shows for communication of project progress, results, and transfer.

Volkswagen's roots in Silicon Valley sprout the tech-driven future of transportation

In Belmont, California, the base salary range for this role is $155400-$185,000, depending on education and experience.

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.

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