Chassis Platform Architect (Senior / Expert)

Role Overview

XPeng is seeking a highly experienced Vehicle Architecture Expert to be based at its Munich R&D Center. This role serves as the strategic technical liaison between the vehicle architecture function in China and the European market, providing regulatory insight, local customer expectations, competitor benchmarking, and architecture-level thought leadership to support global product programs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Vehicle Architecture Development
   • Support definition and evolution of global vehicle architecture platforms tailored for European requirements.
   • Lead conceptual package studies, structural layout, thermal strategy, and integration considerations at architecture level.
   • Drive architectural consistency across programs in coordination with headquarters.
2. Regulation & Compliance Integration
   • Provide in-depth understanding of European regulatory frameworks (e.g., ECE, Euro NCAP, homologation requirements) and translate into architectural constraints & requirements.
   • Advise headquarters on certification implications for architecture choices.
3. Market & Competitive Insight
   • Conduct systematic benchmarking of OEM platforms and competitor architectures in core segments.
   • Deliver actionable reports on structural strategies, weight optimization, NVH, and customer expectations relevant to European markets.
4. Cross-Region Technical Enabler
   • Facilitate collaboration across local engineering teams, suppliers, and validation partners.
   • Support evaluation of prototypes and contribute learnings back to central teams.
   • Coordinate across time zones and cultures to align objectives and deliverables.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• Master’s or PhD in automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, or related discipline.
• 15–20+ years of hands‑on vehicle architecture experience in global OEM environments.
• Direct involvement in full‑cycle platform development and architecture definition.
• Strong command of European regulatory systems & certification.
• Fluent in English; German proficiency is a plus.

Preferred

• Experience at BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen Group, Volvo, or similar.
• Track record in EV/BEV platform architecture.
• Prior cross‑regional collaboration experience.
• Led or shaped architecture strategy at program level.