SDV Lead - Strategy & Program Management

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced SDV Lead – Strategy & Program Management to drive Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) strategy, roadmap development, program execution, platform planning, and cross-functional collaboration. The role will focus on aligning SDV initiatives with business objectives, managing strategic partnerships, and enabling software-driven vehicle innovation and lifecycle capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

1. SDV Strategy & Roadmap

• Define and drive the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) vision, strategy, and execution roadmap aligned with global OEM objectives.


• Translate business goals into prioritized SDV initiatives, programs, and milestones.


• Lead phased SDV transformation across vehicle platforms, applications, and lifecycle capabilities.


• Benchmark industry and competitor SDV strategies to maintain technological leadership and competitiveness.


• Establish long-term plans for software-driven vehicle innovation and digital services.

2. Cross-Functional Program Planning

• Identify, define, and prioritize SDV use cases, including:


• Infotainment Systems


• Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates


• Digital Key Solutions


• Voice User Interface (VUI)


• Connected Vehicle Services


• Collaborate with product management, engineering, business, and digital teams to define priorities and delivery plans.


• Define program KPIs, success metrics, and value realization targets.


• Establish governance frameworks, milestone tracking, risk management, and executive reporting mechanisms.

3. SDV Architecture & Platform Planning

• Partner with engineering teams to define and evolve SDV architecture covering:


• Central Compute Platforms


• Zonal Architecture


• Vehicle Operating Systems


• Middleware Platforms


• APIs and Service Integration


• Cloud Connectivity


• OTA Infrastructure


• Ensure alignment with SDV ecosystems and platforms such as Arene, QNX, Android Automotive, and cloud platforms.


• Enable hardware-software decoupling for scalable software deployment and feature delivery.

4. Ecosystem & Partner Management

• Drive collaboration with global engineering teams, business stakeholders, Tier-1 suppliers, and technology partners.


• Lead joint planning activities and ensure integration alignment across the partner ecosystem.


• Facilitate strategic partnerships supporting SDV platform development and deployment.

5. Connected Operations & Lifecycle Management

• Define and manage vehicle lifecycle capabilities, including:


• OTA Software Updates


• Feature Activation/Deactivation


• Subscription-Based Features


• Software Monetization Models


• Establish frameworks for release management, feature rollout planning, post-launch monitoring, and continuous improvement.


• Utilize vehicle and customer data analytics to improve feature adoption and operational performance.

6. Business Case Development & Value Realization

• Develop and maintain business cases and ROI models supporting ECU consolidation, cost optimization, software reuse, subscription revenue, and feature monetization.


• Align SDV investments with product strategy, vehicle volumes, pricing models, and customer lifetime value (CLV).


• Track benefits realization against business objectives and targets.

7. Capability Building & Organizational Development

• Assess capability gaps and drive development in embedded software engineering, cloud technologies, DevOps, engineering tools and automation, and validation and testing frameworks.


• Support the establishment of SDV innovation labs, prototyping environments, and simulation and validation platforms.


• Promote SDV best practices, standards, and organizational readiness.

Required Skills & Expertise

• Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) strategy and roadmap development.


• Program and portfolio management.


• Automotive software architecture and platform planning.


• Connected vehicle technologies and digital services.


• OTA updates and vehicle lifecycle management.


• Central compute platforms and zonal architecture.


• Vehicle operating systems and middleware platforms.


• Arene, QNX, Android Automotive, and cloud platforms.


• Cross-functional stakeholder and partner management.


• Business case development, ROI analysis, and value realization.


• Release management, risk management, and program governance.


• Embedded software, cloud technologies, DevOps, and validation frameworks.