PD Lead Technologist

Job Description

The Lead technologist contributes to ensuring the suitability of our vehicles for the unique demands of the PD Lead Technologist IMG market. This position involves hands-on in-market vehicle preparation, evaluation, post-drive analysis, and benchmarking against competitors. The role also encompasses understanding of local customer usage habits (including off-road), providing feedback to engineering teams, manage the test fleet / equipment. This individual will contribute to the resolution of systemic issues, influencing vehicle development and ensuring customer satisfaction in the IMG region.

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