Manager Motion Control Systems in Autonomous Technology Group

Inside the Role

ATG is building with the Freightliner Cascadia one of the world's first production-ready, driverless autonomous trucks. As Manager of Motion Control Systems, you will lead a team of currently six engineers responsible for the design, development, integration, and production-readiness of the redundant motion control systems that form the physical backbone of the Freightliner autonomous trucking program.

The Motion Control team spans four system domains: Redundant Braking, Redundant Steering, Parking Brake & Air Treatment, and Propulsion. Your team’s work directly enables driverless autonomous operation on public roads and ensures a safe, certifiable, and manufacturable chassis foundation in our Redundant Vehicle Platform that our ADS partners can depend on.

With its recent responsibility growth for propulsion systems, this role represents an intentional evolution – from a brakes-focused engineering team to a full-scope motion control team – reflecting the growing maturity and commitment of DTNA to its autonomous program.

A key focus of this role will be supporting Torc –Daimler Truck’s in-house autonomous driving system (ADS) provider– in successfully deploying the Autonomous Cascadia driverless on public roads, while also serving the needs of external ADS providers, which will shape the future of transportation.

Beyond promoting a culture of integrity and accountability, you will be acting with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility by proactively addressing risks and following through on commitments.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

What you Drive at DTNA

People and Organizational Leadership

• Coach, lead, and develop the motion control team and help them to grow professionally according to the Great Leadership Behaviors.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders to clarify expectations, resolve challenges and achieve aligned targets.
• Drive supplier accountability through clear expectations, measurable objectives, proactive risk management, and disciplined execution.
• Perform resource planning, track engineering efforts, map project deadlines to engineering deliverables, and ensure full budget transparency.
• Maintain cross-functional collaboration with test engineering, vehicle integration, and program management to ensure aligned milestone execution.
• Foster a culture of performance, accountability, and continuous improvement while maintaining an environment of psychological safety, culture and belonging inside and outside of the team.
• Serve as a role model for ethical behavior, safety-first decision making, and unwavering commitment to compliance and quality

Technical Expectations

• Possess a strong understanding of longitudinal and lateral vehicle motion control systems and their application in ADAS and Autonomous vehicle technologies
• Translate customer expectations from Functional Objectives into system requirements and drive them from initial concepts through design freeze, verification and validation, manufacturing qualification, and SOP readiness
• Develop, refine, and improve strategies and processes to drive plans and tasks to execution such as design reviews and testing workshops
• Align product development deliveries with CVDS milestones, drive technical alignments, and report progress to stakeholders
• Develop KPIs and behavior-driving metrics for structured defect closure and track system quality metrics to demonstrate continuous improvement over time
• Secure DTNA’s leadership in trucking technology by protecting Intellectual Property through patent filing and research

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or another relevant technical discipline and 8+ years of experience is required.
• 2+ years of experience in product development, engineering quality, Systems Engineering, design assurance, product safety, or a related technical field.
• Prior experience directly leading or managing employees.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams across organizational levels, functions, regions, and cultures without relying solely on organizational authority.
• Strong communication, facilitation, stakeholder-management, and judgment skills, including the ability to communicate complex topics to senior leaders and appropriately evaluate and escalate product or execution risks.
• Practical experience with one or more applicable methodologies, including DFMEA/FMEA, Functional Safety (ISO 26262), SOTIF (ISO 21448), Cyber Security (ISO 21434), component or system specifications, safety-related analysis, or comparable engineering frameworks.

 

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Class 8 Drivers License.
• Familiarity with relevant engineering, requirements, quality, collaboration, and data tools, such as ELM, DOORS NG, Jira, Confluence, SharePoint, Power BI, Microsoft 365 Copilot, or Copilot Studio.
• Experience applying data analytics, automation, artificial intelligence, or digital tools to engineering and quality processes.
• Deep understanding of quality engineering methodologies and best practices, including FMEA, FTA, fault management, root cause analysis 5-WHY/8-D, and corrective action processes.
• Experience in SW and ECU development of complex systems, General understanding of Systems Engineering.
• Mindset of an intrapreneur by proactively identifying opportunities, challenging the status quo, and driving innovative solutions that create value.

#LI-CF1

#LI-HYBRID

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-

Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

• This position is not open for Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application
• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.