Head of Engineering (Sensors Business)

Role Overview:

Head of Engineering (Sensors Business)

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision:

• Define and execute from SCRATCH the Global Sensor Technology roadmap in alignment with the company’s product strategy and Automotive megatrends.
• Identify and invest in Emerging Sensor technologies (e.g.,

  LiDAR, Radar, Ultrasonic, optical, MEMS, Pressure, Temperature, and Smart Sensors

  ).
• Build strategic partnerships with Universities, Research institutions, and Technology providers.

2. Product Development & Innovation:

• Lead multi-disciplinary R&D teams in designing innovative, high-reliability, and cost-optimized sensor solutions.
• Oversee concept design, simulation, prototyping, and testing phases for all Sensor Products.
• Champion Integration of AI, Machine Learning, and edge-processing capabilities in Next-Gen Sensors.

3. Industrialization & Manufacturing Readiness:

• Ensure Design-for-manufacture (DFM) and Design-for-Assembly (DFA) principles are applied to Sensor development.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering teams to establish robust production processes and supplier capabilities.
• Lead Value Engineering initiatives to optimize cost, performance, and manufacturability.

4. Compliance, Quality & Reliability:

• Ensure all Sensors meet Automotive Industry Standards (ISO 26262, IATF 16949, AEC-Q, UNECE regulations, etc.).
• Drive rigorous validation, durability testing, and failure mode analysis.
• Foster a culture of zero-defect quality and continuous improvement.

5. Cross-Functional & Customer Engagement:

• Collaborate with ADAS, Vehicle dynamics, Powertrain, Infotainment, and Connectivity teams for seamless Sensor Integration.
• Engage directly with OEM customers to understand requirements, present solutions, and manage technical programs.
• Support marketing and business development in customer pitches, technical demonstrations, and trade shows.

6. Team Leadership & Development:

• Build, mentor, and inspire a world-class sensor engineering team.
• Establish clear KPIs and foster accountability, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Drive a learning culture by adopting latest tools, technologies, and industry best practices.

Role Expectations:

• Innovation Driver:

  Constantly explore disruptive technologies and market trends to maintain leadership in Sensor solutions.

• Technical Authority:

  Serve as the organization’s go-to expert on Sensor Design, integration, and performance optimization.

• Business Acumen:

  Balance technical excellence with commercial viability and speed-to-market.

• Global Mindset:

  Operate effectively in diverse, multicultural, and geographically dispersed teams.

• Change Leader:

  Champion transformation initiatives, from legacy sensor platforms to advanced digital sensing solutions.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Electronics / Mechatronics Engineering preferably.

• Experience:

  15–20+ years in Automotive Electronics, with at least 8 years in leadership roles focusing on Sensors or ADAS.
• Proven track record of developing and launching sensor products in high-volume automotive production.
• Strong understanding of Sensing principles (Optical, Radar, Ultrasonic, MEMS, Pressure, Temperature, etc.) and relevant Signal Processing Techniques.
• Experience with functional safety (ISO 26262), Automotive Cybersecurity, and Automotive-grade electronics.
• Hands-on experience with Simulation Tools, Sensor Fusion Algorithms, and Automotive Communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet).

Competencies & Skills:

• Strategic thinking & vision setting
• Strong analytical & problem-solving capability
• Leadership & team building
• Excellent communication & customer interface skills
• Project management & delivery excellence
• Vendor & stakeholder management
• Deep understanding of automotive regulations & homologation processes

Key Performance Indicators:

• On-time, on-budget delivery of sensor programs
• Customer satisfaction ratings
• Innovation metrics (patents filed, New Technology introductions)
• Cost reduction & value engineering achievements
• Quality metrics (PPM, warranty claims, failure rates)