Director, Engineering Program Management

Director, Engineering Program Management

The Director, Engineering Program Management is responsible for leading vehicle and engineering program management activities across the organization, overseeing complex vehicle development programs from concept through start of production (SOP). This position directly leads the Vehicle Program Management and Engineering Program Management teams, ensuring alignment between program strategy, engineering execution, cross-functional priorities, and business objectives.

The Director owns the integrated program portfolio, driving execution across scope, timing, cost, quality, tooling, resources, and launch readiness. Working closely with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, this role establishes program governance, manages organizational priorities, resolves critical issues, and ensures accountability for program delivery.

Additionally, the Director develops the organization's program management capabilities by establishing consistent processes, performance standards, operating rhythms, and talent development strategies that improve execution, collaboration, and program predictability.

Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to):

• Lead, manage, and develop the Vehicle Program Management and Engineering Program Management teams, establishing clear expectations, accountability, performance standards, and development opportunities.
• Oversee the vehicle and engineering program portfolio from concept through production validation (PV), launch readiness, and SOP, ensuring alignment of program plans, milestones, critical paths, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Drive cross-functional execution across Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain to align program scope, timing, cost, quality, tooling, resources, and vehicle build objectives.
• Establish and maintain program management governance, including phase-gate criteria, milestone readiness reviews, executive reporting, escalation processes, and standardized operating procedures.
• Oversee program risks, issues, and dependencies across technical, schedule, cost, supplier, resource, and launch-readiness areas, ensuring effective mitigation and timely resolution.
• Lead portfolio-level resource planning and prioritization, balancing program demands, organizational capacity, and competing business objectives.
• Oversee vehicle and engineering target-setting governance, ensuring targets are established, approved, tracked, and achieved through each program gateway.
• Oversee parts readiness, tooling kickoffs, material availability, build planning, and supplier coordination to protect program timing and launch objectives.
• Establish and improve program management tools, processes, KPI scorecards, readiness checklists, and executive dashboards to strengthen execution and organizational effectiveness.
• Provide executive leadership with program status, portfolio performance, risk assessments, and recommendations regarding critical decisions and program trade-offs.
• Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and continuous improvement of program management practices and team effectiveness.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree and/or PMI/PMP certification preferred.
• 12–15+ years of experience in automotive engineering, vehicle development, technical program management, or engineering project management, preferably within an OEM or Tier 1 environment.
• Demonstrated success leading complex vehicle development programs from concept through production launch, including phase-gate governance, launch readiness, and cross-functional execution.
• Proven people leadership experience managing and developing program or project management professionals, including performance management, resource planning, and team development.
• Experience leading multiple concurrent programs and coordinating program management teams across vehicle development and engineering functions.
• Strong expertise in integrated master scheduling, critical-path management, risk mitigation, resource planning, KPI reporting, and executive-level communication.
• Deep understanding of automotive product development, engineering release timing, tooling readiness, supplier coordination, vehicle build events, validation milestones, and production launch requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive leadership, resolve complex cross-functional challenges, and drive accountability across an organization.
• Experience developing program governance frameworks, standardized processes, and performance metrics that improve execution and predictability.
• Advanced proficiency with MS Project or equivalent scheduling tools, Jira, SharePoint, and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent leadership, communication, facilitation, and executive presentation skills.
• Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems, including ISO 9001:2015, and Environmental Management Systems, including ISO 14001:2015.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• PMI/PMP certification or other recognized program management credentials.
• Experience leading both Vehicle Program Management and Engineering Program Management functions within an automotive OEM or Tier 1 organization.
• Experience building or scaling a program management organization within a growing or entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience developing succession plans, leadership capabilities, and career development pathways for program management professionals.
• Experience managing complex vehicle portfolios with competing priorities and significant cross-functional resource requirements.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

Note: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee should have the:

• Ability to frequently use or operate a computer, mouse, and/or other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.
• Ability to frequently use hand(s) for repetitive actions (grasping and fine manipulation).
• Ability to frequently walk or move – to regularly move about inside the office.
• Ability to frequently see or detect, identify, recognize, or assess surroundings while in the office.
• Ability to occasionally bend, kneel, crouch, turn, and stoop.
• Ability to frequently sit or be stationary for extended continuous periods of time.
• Ability to stand for occasional periods of time.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or push/pull up to 20 pounds.
  
  

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing their job.

Total Rewards (Benefits, Perks & Compensation)

Benefits & Perks:

In addition to our competitive compensation, you will also be eligible for the following at Karma:

• Medical Plan
• Dental & Vision Plans
• Health Savings Account & Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Health & Well-Being Program Events
• Company Paid Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Relocation Assistance (if applicable)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Sick Time, Vacation time and Personal Floaters
• Paid Holidays including Company’s Annual Year End Shutdown
• Karma Cares Program (Quarterly Lunch)
• Work life Balance (Flexible and Hybrid Work Schedule)
• Employee Driving Program
• Pre-taxed Commuter Benefits & much more!

Compensation:

$220,000 - $235,000 /annual salary. Compensation will vary DOE.

At Karma, our base pay is one part of our total rewards package.

Compensation offered may vary on multiple factors, including market location, education, skills and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position being offered.

Karma Automotive, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender identity and expression, color, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions (including breastfeeding), national origin/ancestry, religion, military/veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, intersectionality or any other characteristic and group protected by applicable law. Karma Automotive, Inc complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure equal access to all qualified individuals with a physical or mental disability. Valid driver’s license may be required based on essential duties.