Vice President of Tech Operations and Solutions

Overview

CARIAD, the Volkswagen Group's automotive software division, is pioneering software platforms and digital customer functions for renowned brands including Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche. With teams across Germany, the USA, China, Estonia, and India, CARIAD is driving transformative advancements in automotive mobility.

Team & Mission

As part of Vehicle Energy, Motion & Body (VEMB), you will join an interdisciplinary leadership group dedicated to developing high-performance software products and optimizing organizational frameworks. The team's focus is on delivering scalable, safe, and quality vehicle functions through continuous evolution of development, integration, and delivery capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and advance the Tech Operations & Solutions division emphasizing Operational Excellence, Systems Engineering, governance, and product enablement.
• Craft and execute medium to long-term strategic plans aligned with VEMB and company goals.
• Establish effective organizational setups, processes, and operating models to drive innovative vehicle function development and delivery.
• Develop and continuously refine governance, steering, and cross-disciplinary collaboration frameworks.
• Promote collaboration among Engineering, Program Management, Architecture, Quality, Compliance, and other stakeholders.
• Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) ensuring quality, efficiency, and delivery success.
• Drive ongoing improvements in engineering workflows, methodologies, tools, and organizational strengths.
• Ensure adherence to quality, safety, cybersecurity, and regulatory mandates.
• Manage partnerships with external vendors, suppliers, and engineering service contractors efficiently.
• Oversee budgets, resources, and organizational capacity to sustain high performance.
• Identify and address strategic, operational, and technical risks or capability shortfalls.
• Develop leadership talent and cultivate a culture marked by accountability, collaboration, continuous growth, and technical excellence.
• Report progress, risks, and organizational performance to senior leadership and steering committees.

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or similar technical fields.
• Over 10 years of professional experience in multifaceted engineering, technology, or operations roles, preferably within automotive sector.
• Minimum 8 years in leadership positions managing complex, international, cross-functional engineering or technology teams, or holding an equivalent certified leadership credential.
• Proven expertise in designing and scaling operational and delivery frameworks for software/technology products in intricate environments.
• Strong skills in Systems Engineering, Operational Excellence, governance practices, and organizational steering.
• Deep knowledge of automotive standards and regulatory frameworks including ASPICE, ISO 26262, and Automotive Cybersecurity.
• Strategic thinker able to convert long-term objectives into actionable projects and measurable results.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing capabilities spanning executive leadership to external collaborators.
• Robust analytical and problem-solving approach with a focus on practical, results-driven solutions.
• Experience operating within international matrix organizations with excellent intercultural communications proficiency.
• Fluency in both German and English, verbal and written.

Diversity & Inclusion

CARIAD values diverse perspectives and strives to cultivate a supportive environment where all employees feel empowered to contribute fully. Reasonable accommodations for disabilities are available upon request.