Lead Engineer, Homologation Program Coordination & Compliance

What you’ll do

Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

• Own the end-to-end homologation program coordination and compliance strategy for assigned vehicle programs, establishing certification approaches, governance, milestones, evidence requirements, and decision paths from development through production launch and lifecycle changes. 
• Serve as the recognized subject-matter expert and lead technical interface for program-level homologation and regulatory compliance, coordinating with regulatory agencies, technical services, certification bodies, internal leadership, and Volkswagen Group partners as applicable. 
• Interpret evolving regulatory requirements and evaluate their effects across vehicle systems, components, software-enabled functions, test programs, documentation, timing, and program risk. 
• Exercise independent judgment on significant and unique compliance issues where solutions require evaluation of incomplete information, regulatory interpretation, competing program priorities, and broader functional impact. 
• Define and govern homologation change management and homologation vehicle management, including vehicle configuration, parts-status verification, evidence traceability, deviation control, and certification-impact assessment. 
• Establish and maintain homologation-relevant processes, workflow instructions, methods, tools, plans, metrics, and audit controls that provide scalable and consistent compliance execution across programs. 
• Lead integrated certification planning across safety, environmental, noise, component, and other applicable requirements; align development, testing, documentation, and approval activities with program milestones. 
• Direct cross-functional resolution of material non-compliance risks and certification blockers, defining recovery actions, facilitating technical arbitration, and escalating decision requirements with clear impact assessments and recommendations. 
• Lead preparation, technical review, and submission readiness of documentation, reports, technical data, and evidence packages for regulatory agencies and certification bodies. 
• Represent Homologation in advanced design reviews, program governance forums, launch-readiness reviews, and change-control boards; influence diverse stakeholders toward compliant and effective solutions. 
• Coordinate across Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Legal, Program Management, suppliers, and external partners to ensure compliance requirements and deliverables are integrated into vehicle development and launch plans. 
• Provide technical direction and guidance to engineers and extended team members on complex regulatory interpretations, certification methods, evidence quality, and issue resolution. 
• Contribute to company and Engineering objectives by establishing best practices, reusable certification strategies, lessons learned, and continuous-improvement priorities that strengthen compliance readiness and execution. 
• Monitor emerging laws, regulations, standards, and enforcement trends; assess future program impact and recommend proactive changes to strategies, processes, and vehicle-development plans. 
• Perform other related duties and activities as required.

Location & Travel Expectations:

• This role will be based out of the Scout Motors location in Novi, Michigan.. 
• This role requires 4-5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events. 
• Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.

What you’ll bring 

We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring: 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field from an accredited college or university; master's degree preferred. 
• 12+ years of progressive experience in vehicle homologation, regulatory compliance, certification strategy, or related automotive engineering work, including leadership of major certification programs from development through approval and launch. 
• Recognized subject-matter expertise in U.S. vehicle and component compliance requirements, including FMVSS and NHTSA requirements, with broad knowledge of applicable Canadian and other regional regulatory frameworks. 
• Demonstrated success defining and governing homologation strategies, compliance plans, certification evidence, change control, and audit-ready processes across complex vehicle programs. 
• Broad expertise across vehicle systems and components, including powertrain, chassis, electrical, electronics, software-enabled features, and their interactions with safety, environmental, and performance regulations. 
• Demonstrated ability to resolve significant and unique compliance issues, evaluate incomplete information and intangible risks, and exercise independent judgment on decisions that may affect the broader Engineering function. 
• Proven ability to coordinate across Engineering, Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Legal, Program Management, suppliers, technical services, and external authorities; convey advanced information; and persuade diverse stakeholders. 
• Experience serving as a lead technical interface with regulatory agencies, technical services, or certification bodies and presenting decision-ready recommendations to leadership. 
• Advanced program leadership skills, including governance, integrated planning, milestone management, issue escalation, risk mitigation, change management, and executive-level reporting. 
• Ability to establish scalable compliance methods, workflow instructions, tools, metrics, lessons learned, and standards that contribute to company and functional objectives. 
• Demonstrated experience providing technical direction, review, or mentoring to engineers and extended team members without relying on formal people-management authority. 
• Ability to operate with a high degree of independence while communicating material risks, recommendations, and decisions to leadership. 
• Professional certifications related to vehicle systems, regulatory compliance, project management, or quality are a plus. 

What you'll gain

The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up.  This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation.  In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:

• Competitive insurance including:
  • Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
• 401(k) program with:
  • An employer match and immediate vesting
• Generous Paid Time Off including:
  • 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
  • 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
  • Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
  • Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave

Pay Transparency

This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.

Initial base salary range = $160,000.00 - $192,500.00

Internal leveling code: IC7