The Vice President of Cabin Comfort & Mechanical Systems is a senior executive responsible for the strategic leadership and management of all cabin comfort technologies and mechanical system engineering across vehicle platforms. This role oversees HVAC, seating comfort, noise/vibration/harshness (NVH), and related mechanical components to deliver best-in-class occupant comfort, safety, and reliability. The VP leads cross-functional teams and collaborates with product development, manufacturing, and supplier partners to ensure innovative, cost-effective, and scalable solutions aligned with customer expectations and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Define and execute the strategic vision for cabin comfort and mechanical systems across all vehicle programs.
Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams responsible for HVAC systems, seating comfort technologies, NVH mitigation, and mechanical subsystem design.
Oversee the development, integration, and validation of cabin comfort solutions, ensuring performance, durability, and quality.
Collaborate closely with vehicle architecture, powertrain, electronics, and manufacturing teams to optimize system packaging, energy efficiency, and cost.
Drive innovation in cabin climate control, ergonomic design, acoustic treatments, and related mechanical systems.
Manage relationships with key suppliers and technology partners to leverage advanced materials and components.
Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and industry standards relevant to cabin comfort and mechanical systems.
Lead budget planning, resource allocation, and risk management for all related engineering programs.
Mentor and develop senior engineering leaders and foster a high-performance, collaborative culture.
Represent the company in industry forums, customer meetings, and executive presentations related to cabin comfort and mechanical engineering.
Key Focus Areas:
Executive leadership of cabin comfort and mechanical system engineering
Strategic innovation in HVAC, seating, NVH, and related mechanical technologies
Cross-functional collaboration for vehicle integration and program delivery
Supplier partnerships and advanced material adoption
Compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards
Program management, budgeting, and resource planning
Talent development and team leadership
Qualifications & Skills:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field required
Advanced degree (Master’s, MBA, or PhD) preferred
Experience:
15+ years in automotive cabin comfort, HVAC, or mechanical system engineering leadership roles
Proven track record leading large engineering organizations and delivering innovative vehicle comfort solutions
Experience managing multi-site teams and complex cross-functional programs
Technical Skills:
In-depth knowledge of HVAC systems, seating comfort technologies, NVH principles, and mechanical subsystem design
Familiarity with automotive packaging, materials, and manufacturing processes
Understanding of safety, regulatory, and environmental standards impacting cabin systems
Soft Skills:
Strong executive leadership and strategic thinking
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills
Effective decision-making and problem-solving abilities
Ability to inspire and grow diverse, high-performing teams