Principal Engineer - Certification

Job Description

Role Summary:

This position is categorized as an Individual Expert Contributor and is responsible for the directing of technical Emission and Battery Electric Certification Programs for all Brands under VW Group of America (VWGoA). This includes local Certification and On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Testing and administration of Certification and OBD Applications in accordance with VW Group internal requirements as well as applicable Federal and State Regulations. This role also provides guidance to VW Group departments on applicable regulations, Fuel Economy (FE), certification strategies and compliance testing, e.g., annual road load audits of production vehicles and testing of FE sub configurations in the region as needed.

This role requires significant interaction with Federal and California Regulatory Authorities representing the VW Group of America brands while resolving complex technical deficiencies.

Role Responsibilities:

• Directs and Mentors technical staff who certifies vehicles in accordance with statutory emission standards and test procedures to permit sales in the United States and Canada
• Leads cross brand Certification and OBD technical inquiries from Federal, California and Canadian regulators to ensure on time certification to meet Start of Production
• Leads, in alignment with EEO's Lead R-VKO and Group K-VKO, Regulatory Staff (R-VKO) responsible for monitoring and steering of emission certification and fleet compliance related regulations (e.g., emissions testing, criteria emissions)
• Coordinates Fuel Economy Strategy Team and provides interpretation to the Volkswagen organization worldwide of US and Canadian emission certification requirements in collaboration with the Regional Regulations Coordinator (R-VKO)
• Provides strategic guidance to VWGoA's and VW Group's Technical Conformity and Strategy teams on fuel economy, certification and fleet compliance
• Represents the Volkswagen Group in discussions with government agencies concerning vehicle emission and OBD certification discussions in alignment with the Regional Regulations Coordinator (R-VKO) and the Group Regulations Coordinator (K-VKO)
• Represents the Volkswagen Group in discussions with professional organizations (e.g., Alliance for Automotive Innovation) concerning emission, vehicle and OBD certification discussions in alignment with the Regional Regulations Coordinator (R-VKO) and the Group Regulations Coordinator (K-VKO)
• Escalates to Group leadership potential issues related to compliance with certification testing, regulations and Road Load issues, as appropriate
• Participates in various technical team and steering committee meetings to represent the certification and Road Load status for all brands
• Provides regular status updates to EEO Leadership
• Represents EEO at Brand Product Launch meetings, gathering vehicle introduction timeline information.
• Contributes to the strategic discussion at the annual Certification Preview Meeting for VW Group with the Government Agencies (EPA / CARB)
• Supports EEO staff development to create subject matter experts in the emission certification, OBD and Road Load activities
• Supports the development of skills and knowledge in a team that is responsible for in region certification, OBD and fuel economy testing
• Key contributor to the on-time processing and compliant submission of US and Canadian motor vehicle emission certification applications
• Works with Technical Program Management team to document and enhance internal processes
• Ensures compliance with processes and supports assessments and audits as needed

Qualifications

Years of Experience:

• 10+ years of experience vehicle emission certification or related

Education - Required

• Bachelor's Degree (preferably in Engineering or related field)

Education - Desired:

• Master's Degree in Engineering or related field

Skills:

• Analytical and conceptual thinking - using logic and reason, creative and strategic
• Communication skills - interpersonal, presentation and written
• Computer savvy - skilled in the use of word processing, presentation and data management software
• Integration - joining people, processes or systems
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Problem solving
• Resource management

Specialized Skills - Required:

• In depth understanding of the regulatory emission and OBD certification, certification testing and fuel economy processes
• Technical knowledge of automotive powertrain, emission control systems incl. emission measurement techniques, hybrid and battery electric control strategies
• Ability to interpret and explain complex technical and regulatory issues
• Ability to interpret and explain complex technical calibration and powertrain software content

Specialized Skills - Desired:

• High level understanding of engineering software (e.g., DiagRA) and mathematical skills for data analysis
• Experienced in automotive software development and calibration processes

Work Flexibility:

• 10% travel required - mainly to California and VW Group locations in Europe
• Workload occasionally requires additional hours beyond a normal work schedule including early morning calls with counterparts in Europe
• Expected travel to represent VWGoA at agency meetings, workshop, and trade group meetings

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.