Software Project Manager

Overview

Visteon is a global automotive technology leader, advancing mobility through innovative technology solutions that enable a software-defined future. The company's state-of-the-art product portfolio merges digital cockpit innovations, advanced displays, AI-enhanced software solutions, and integrated EV architecture solutions. With expertise spanning passenger vehicles, commercial transportation, and two-wheelers, Visteon partners with global automakers to create safer, cleaner, and more connected journeys. Founded in 2000, the company employs 10,000 employees in 18 countries around the globe. In 2024, Visteon recorded annual sales of approximately $3.87 billion and secured $6.1 billion in new business. To know more about us, visit visteon.com.

Mission of the Role

Experienced technology leader with a strong track record in strategic program management, specializing in driving complex software sub-projects throughout the entire program lifecycle. Ensures successful execution, on-time delivery, and exceptional customer satisfaction. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to exceed expectations in cost, quality, and delivery while achieving financial objectives. Leads the software scope within a larger multidisciplinary project with a program management mindset, serving as the primary customer interface and taking full responsibility for successful delivery.

Key Objectives of this Role

Develop and maintain control over all the Project Management elements of its sub-project:

• Timing plan & Strategy to meet the defined Visteon and Customer milestones.
• Lead Feature Maturity Planning on the software level.
• Process Compliance, e.g., Gate Deliverables, PAD (Process Assurance Dashboard), Vistway, ASPICE.
• RIOs (Risk, Issue & Opportunity Management), Defects, Quality indicators & Escalations.
• Budget and Staff Planning.
• Any other sub-project-specific element.

Specific responsibilities for the sub-project Software

• Lead Software timing plan tracking the implementation progress / vFIP (Software Feature Implementation Plans and Dashboards, and validation plan & results).
• Approve the software release.
• Supports the software team by tracking dependencies and removing impediments.
• Coordinate and achieve relevant design sign-offs: RRR (Software Release Readiness Reviews), SOW (Software Supplier Statement of Work), etc.
• Coordinate technical documentation, including best practices and lessons learned, to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Coordinate the Technical Documentation release to the Customer.
• Create Process and Product deviation detail requirements and plan mitigation.
• Document lessons learned, ensure DFMEA update.
• Establish CM Library System (Identify CIs, Baselines, Naming, CI Tracking, Tools, Structure).
• Support archiving and back-up activities of CIs.
• Drive work item status update in the central planning database (enterProj, JIRA).

Key Performance Indicators

• Program Execution and Monitoring: Lead & drive program execution, monitoring progress, and track internal & external milestones, to ensure timely delivery, cost optimization, & quality outcomes, including process compliance. Provides Software leadership to program teams, promoting effective decision-making, leading a structured approach to problem-solving, and triggering preventive actions at the program level. Budget and staff tracking.
• Customer Focus: Proactively building and maintaining strong relationships with Customers and cross-functional stakeholders as the primary contact for end-to-end program-related activities, using impactful communication across different functions. Be the primary contact for the Customer.
• Change Management: Managing program changes and scope creep by effectively evaluating and communicating the impacts of changes on timelines, resources, and costs with all cross-functional stakeholders.
• Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating program risks to minimize their impact on project timelines, budgets, and deliverables. Managing escalations (internal & external).
• Innovation and Technology Adoption: Identifying and evaluating emerging technologies, tools, and industry trends to enhance program management effectiveness and efficiency.

Key Year One Deliverables

• Successful establishment of a fully aligned software timing plan. Including integrated Jira planning, synchronized with system, hardware, and customer milestones.
• Execution of at least two fully compliant Software Release Readiness Reviews (RRR). Ensuring process compliance (PAD, Vistway, ASPICE) and obtaining internal approvals for major customer releases.
• Implementation of a structured Risk & Issue Management (RIO) with transparent dashboards, mitigation plans, and regular stakeholder communication and escalation processes.
• Drive cross-functional alignment with internal and external stakeholders. Including customer-facing communication, preparation, and support of technical documentation releases and change management
• Achieve >90% on time delivery for software work items tracked in enterProj and JIRA. Through dependency tracking, impediment removal, and disciplined program execution.

Qualification, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably in the Software area.
• Several years of professional experience in program & project management, including at least six years in the automotive industry.
• Experience in leading bigger development teams located in different countries.
• Know-how in project management (ideally PRINCE / PMP).
• Excellent understanding of development and production processes within the automotive industry, with experience in Software.
• Leadership, entrepreneurial thinking, and assertiveness.
• High level of autonomy and accountability.
• Strong project management discipline – Planning & Execution, Communication, Strategy.
• Strong communication skills, high customer orientation, and team spirit.
• Analytical-structured expertise.
• Knowledge in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and MS Project + JIRA.
• Fluent in English.
• Travel required, around 10 - 20% of working time.
• Please include an English version of your resume with your application.

Key Leadership Behaviors

• Lead from the Front
• Build Strong Teams
• Inspire Change
• Lead the Market
• Critical Thinking

Reporting Structure: Reports to Director Program Management, VW Group Business. Location Germany, Karlsruhe.

In the fast lane of technology. At Visteon, we’re redefining how the world connects through its vehicles. Our innovations transform the driving experience for millions, powered by a high-performance culture that challenges the status quo and sparks new possibilities—in careers and communities. Join us and help shape the future.