Engineer Senior - Regulatory Policy

Role Summary

This position is responsible to monitor, influence, resolve, participate in, and inform stakeholders of highly-sensitive governmental communications, requests, inquiries and rulemaking developments in the policy areas of (1) vehicle lighting, (2) advanced technologies, (3) human factors/human machine interfaces, and (4) vehicle controls. Additionally, this position develops and coordinates activities and processes between VWGoA, Research and Development departments within the VW Group (including subsidiaries), US and Canada market standards development organizations (SAE, ISO, etc. ), industry led and/or government funded consortia (DOT, CAMP) consumer advocacy groups (IIHS, HLDI, Consumer Reports, etc. ), trade organizations (e. g. Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Global Automakers of Canada, etc. ) and government agencies (USDOT, NHTSA, RITA, FHWA, Transport Canada).

Role Responsibilities North American Regional Regulatory Coordinator (R-VKO) - (40%)

• Steers, monitors, and influences regulatory activities within the for the US and Canada on areas of responsibility.
• Provides vehicle development and design direction through review of federal and state regulations, historical government interpretations, industry standards and best practices, outside consultants, and competitor analysis.
• Provides expert input to Government Affairs and Office of General Council on safety-related federal and state legislation. Notifies VWAG, Audi AG, VW de Mexico, VW Brazil, Bentley and Lamborghini of requirements. Obtains waivers, changes, or interpretations of requirements as needed.
• Creates regulatory forecasts for changes to future rulemaking activities.
• Provides expert input on active safety and advanced technology topics as needed to support Marketing, Product Planning, Product Support, Parts Division, Washington Government Affairs Office, and Office of General Counsel (in conjunction with General Manager and Manager of Integrated Safety).
• Advises VW and Audi Customer Relations and Publications in safety and technical related inquiries and drafts letters responding to critical or sensitive customer inquiries and requests.
• Administers and supports research contracts and testing efforts in support of VW Group technical policy goals.
• Collects and distributes research and media information on matters related to active safety and advanced technology within the VW Group.

• Drafts petitions for reconsideration and rule-making and requests for interpretation for submission to government agencies.
• Analyzes all statutory enactments and regulatory requirements related to active safety and advanced technology regulations and guidance documentation in the US and Canada, including the NHTSA Anti-Theft (parts marking and alarm system exemption) and Industry Canada regulations affecting vehicle design. In consultation with company experts, develops comments and prepares documents for government submissions in compliance with requirements.
• Summarizes and analyzes the implications of Federal Register safety regulation proposals, rules, and information notices for distribution to interested persons in VW Group and prepares comments or petitions as needed. Recommends appropriate VW Group action to comply with regulatory requirements, as well as to position VW Group favorably in relation to government agencies and industry competitors.
• Actively participates in the development of SAE standards and Recommended Practices related to key areas of active safety and advanced technology.

• Supports development and execution of internal policy for safety awards Including IIHS Top Safety Picks.
• Supports research and testing activities necessary for technical development departments for VW Group brands including the following areas; compliance testing, lighting performance, and consumer information validation.
• Coordinates with technical development departments to determine appropriate test activities related to technical benchmarking.
• Consults research institutes to discuss testing methods and changes to award programs.

• Represents VW Group in technical committees and in meetings with administration/governmental authorities in the US and Canada on matters related to active safety and advanced safety technology.
• Represents the VW Group as Compliance Consultant during NHTSA and Transport Canada audits.
• Advances VW Group interests within SAE Vehicle Safety Systems Group (Safety & Human Factors, Lighting, and Active Safety Systems), including the attainment of advanced positions at level of Chairman and/or Vice-Chairman in groups that impact future regulations.
• Represents VW Group in meetings of the Alliance, Global Automakers Canada, SAE, and other conferences; promotes effectively VW Group interests in these meetings and forums, and reports developments to VW Group.

• 7+ years of government and regulatory affairs experience
• 7+ years of committee membership (Alliance, SAE, ISO. )
• 5+ years of product development related experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Science or Mathematics

• Master's Degree in Engineering, Science or equivalent

• Analytical and conceptual thinking - using logic and reason, creative and strategic
• Communication skills - interpersonal, presentation and written
• Computer savvy - skilled in the use of software
• Integration - joining people, processes or systems
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Problem solving
• Resource management

• Technical expertise in automotive active safety technology
• General understanding of product safety landscape within automotive industry
• Expert knowledge of automotive safety regulations, best practices, and consumer safety evaluation programs
• Expertise regarding North America legal and governance systems and regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the automobile industry
• Previous industry standards committee member experience

• 5+ years of experience working with trade associations and government agencies
• 5+ years of involvement in research/development in any of the following areas; human factors; automated driving; vehicle homologation
• 5+ years of experience in vehicle lighting requirements

• Travel requirement is approximately 10% - 15%
• Travel requirements include flexibility for international/overseas travel
• Flexibility regarding starting time required due to early morning conference calls
• Flexibility for overtime/weekend work required due to workload deman.