The Director of Cabin Comfort & Interior Climate is a strategic leader responsible for the design, development, and delivery of superior cabin environmental systems across automotive platforms. This role oversees engineering teams focused on HVAC, air quality, thermal comfort, noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) controls to enhance occupant comfort and satisfaction. The director drives innovation in interior climate solutions, balancing energy efficiency, regulatory compliance, and customer experience while collaborating cross-functionally with product development, manufacturing, and quality.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and lead the strategic vision for cabin comfort and interior climate systems across vehicle programs.
Oversee engineering and integration of HVAC, air filtration, thermal management, and acoustic solutions ensuring optimal occupant comfort.
Manage multidisciplinary teams including mechanical, controls, acoustics, and software engineers to deliver innovative interior climate solutions.
Lead validation and testing programs for cabin temperature control, air quality, humidity regulation, and NVH mitigation.
Collaborate with suppliers, material experts, and manufacturing to optimize component selection, cost, and quality.
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, refrigerant standards, and emerging sustainability requirements.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve passenger comfort.
Coordinate with vehicle integration, design, and user experience teams to ensure seamless system packaging and superior user interface.
Manage program budgets, schedules, and resources to meet project milestones and quality targets.
Mentor and develop leadership capabilities within the cabin comfort engineering team.
Represent cabin comfort engineering at senior management meetings, reporting on technical progress, risks, and strategic initiatives.
Key Focus Areas:
Strategic leadership in cabin comfort and interior climate engineering
Multidisciplinary team management and development
HVAC and air quality system design and integration
Acoustic and NVH control related to interior climate
Regulatory compliance and sustainability efforts
Cross-functional collaboration for vehicle integration and user experience
Budgeting, resource planning, and program delivery
Innovation in occupant comfort and energy efficiency
Qualifications & Skills:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field required
Master’s degree or MBA preferred
Experience:
12+ years in automotive HVAC, interior climate, or thermal comfort engineering
5+ years in leadership roles managing complex, cross-functional engineering teams
Proven success in delivering interior climate systems from concept through production
Technical Skills:
In-depth knowledge of HVAC systems, air filtration, thermal management, and NVH principles
Experience with cabin climate simulation, testing, and validation methodologies
Familiarity with vehicle packaging constraints and user interface considerations
Understanding of environmental and refrigerant regulations impacting interior climate systems
Soft Skills:
Executive-level leadership and strategic planning skills
Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities
Strong problem-solving and decision-making in multidisciplinary projects
Ability to foster innovation and lead change in a fast-paced environment