The role described here is for a senior product leader who will own the end-to-end development and commercialization of connected vehicle accessories. You will sit at the intersection of fast-moving consumer technology and durable automotive systems, translating consumer trends into accessory roadmaps that complement vehicle programs. The ideal candidate balances a commercial mindset with technical fluency, managing suppliers, partner negotiations, and post-launch analytics to continuously improve offerings.
Working in this position means shaping products such as dash cameras, rear-seat entertainment, smart storage solutions, and IoT-enabled accessories that can be offered as factory-installed options or dealer-installed options. The job requires ensuring all designs meet strict automotive standards for safety and reliability while delivering delightful user experiences through integrated software and cloud services.
Core responsibilities
At the heart of the role is responsibility for the entire product lifecycle: from scouting trends at global events and consumer markets to defining technical requirements and executing launches. You will create rigorous business cases and run the P&L for the accessories portfolio, setting pricing and take-rate assumptions for different go-to-market channels. Managing the tension between short consumer electronics cycles and multi-year vehicle programs is fundamental; strategies must be developed to allow rapid feature refreshes without destabilizing vehicle engineering timelines.
Product definition and integration
You will write detailed Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) that reconcile consumer features with automotive constraints such as extreme temperature tolerance, vibration resistance, and crash safety. Part of the role is to lead cross-functional teams across electrical engineering, software, vehicle integration, UI/UX, and safety to deliver solutions that integrate with vehicle systems like SYNC, Android Automotive, and the FordPass mobile ecosystem. This includes planning for OTA updates so hardware can receive feature improvements and security patches after deployment.
Partnerships, suppliers, and licensing
A significant portion of the work focuses on identifying and negotiating with consumer electronics brands, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and contract manufacturers. You will evaluate opportunities to co-develop, white-label, or license technology while managing intellectual property and software licensing agreements with legal and business development teams. Ensuring data privacy compliance and securing necessary licenses will be part of the operating rhythm for bringing third-party tech into the vehicle environment.
Manufacturing and quality strategies
Successful candidates are familiar with automotive-grade testing and hardware development milestones such as EVT, DVT, and PVT. You will drive alignment between agile software teams and traditional hardware timelines, and own quality assurance strategies that rely on telemetry, warranty analysis, and customer feedback to inform subsequent product iterations. Experience working with AEC standards and vehicle electrical architectures like CAN bus and Ethernet is highly valuable.
Skills, experience, and what makes a strong candidate
Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, product design, or business; advanced degrees such as an MBA are advantageous but not mandatory. Proven experience managing products that combine physical hardware, companion mobile apps, and cloud services is required. You should be comfortable operating in a matrixed environment, building bridges between commercial teams, software engineers, hardware designers, and safety experts, while bringing a mindset that pushes for faster, more innovative outcomes reminiscent of consumer tech culture.
Preferred background
Experience at major consumer electronics firms or established Tier 1 suppliers is a plus, particularly roles that involved partnerships with large tech brands. A demonstrated record of negotiating contracts, managing complex supplier ecosystems, and delivering high-margin accessory products will strengthen your candidacy. Above all, the role seeks someone who pursues “surprise and delight” customer moments through seamless human-machine interface experiences while respecting regulatory guidelines around driver distraction.
Compensation, benefits, and work model
The position sits at a senior leadership grade with a competitive salary range and benefits designed to support employees and families, including medical, dental, vision, parental leave, family-building support, tuition assistance, and vehicle purchase discounts. The role is offered in a hybrid work model, with expectations to be onsite multiple days per week for those within commuting distance of a hub location. Visa sponsorship is available and candidates must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.
Ultimately, this position is an opportunity to bring high-velocity consumer innovation into the automotive space while maintaining the uncompromising safety and durability standards required for vehicle integration. If you are ready to lead cross-disciplinary teams, manage P&L responsibilities, and build connected accessories that elevate the driving experience, this role invites you to apply and help define the next generation of vehicle technology.
