PD Lead Technologist

Job description

#LI-NA1

Responsibilities

Prepare vehicles to meet safety and technical standards for in-market testing. Evaluate vehicles in real-world conditions, capturing customer-focused data. Investigate issues after testing to find root causes, share data, and follow up. Benchmark competitor vehicles to gather objective and subjective data. Understand IMG customer driving habits (including off-road) to provide key insights. Provide competitive intelligence and customer feedback to engineering for product improvements.

Share learnings from evaluations and benchmarking within the company. Manage the ME test vehicle Fleet and database, including Import support, maintenance, modifications, licensing, renewals, inspections to ensure optimal performance and provide status updates. Manage workshop equipment and supplies to ensure functionality . Support technical teams with expert guidance for issue diagnosis and resolution. Develop and document ME-specific driving routes (including off-road) for evaluation.

Support ME media events and dealer meetings when required. Pursue continuous professional development through FORD training opportunities Work to resolve global issues affecting the Middle East market and improve processes. Manage contracted technical staff for daily tasks and fleet maintenance. Support ME PD team operations with purchasing and financial tracking.

Timely test drives

Completing in-market testing on schedule, avoiding delays to vehicle programs.

Efficient contracted technicians

Ensuring hired technicians work efficiently and effectively, follow procedures, and effectively maintain and prepare the test fleet.

Organizational abilities

Creating purchase requests, getting approvals, and managing invoices and records keeping accurately and quickly.

Effective issue identification

Successfully finding and diagnosing vehicle problems after testing, helping engineering teams solve them efficiently.

Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in automotive vehicle evaluation, test data collection, and vehicle issue diagnostic methods. Comprehensive understanding of vehicle systems, critical performance characteristics. Proven expertise in data acquisition, analysis, and clear reporting. Proficiency in utilizing advanced automotive diagnostic tools and equipment. Good problem-solving and root cause finding capabilities. Good verbal and written communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal abilities.

Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a dynamic team environment. Fluent Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Valid driver's license and a willingness to travel as required. Experience with off-road driving and vehicle evaluation in various off-road conditions is desirable. Knowledge of the Middle East automotive market dynamics and evolving customer preferences. Prior experience in effectively managing and coordinating the work of technical staff.

Tertiary 2-year Automotive science degree or similar. Minimum of five years of automotive engineering experience at an Automotive Manufacturer or Automotive Supplier Vehicle evaluation skills Technical Aftersales or Engineering Experience of GCC automotive market desired