The Vice President – Body-in-White (BIW) Engineering is responsible for the strategic leadership and execution of the BIW structure and integration across all vehicle platforms. This role directs global engineering teams to deliver lightweight, high-performance BIW architectures that meet safety, stiffness, NVH, durability, and manufacturability targets. The VP collaborates with cross-functional teams in product design, manufacturing, CAE, materials, and supplier development to ensure technical excellence, program execution, and innovation in structural systems.
Lead end-to-end BIW architecture development for current and future vehicle platforms, ensuring alignment with vehicle performance, cost, weight, and manufacturability targets.
Define strategic direction for BIW materials, joining methods, modularity, and platform standardization.
Oversee global BIW engineering teams responsible for CAD design, packaging, CAE collaboration, and DFMEA reviews.
Ensure seamless integration of BIW systems with closures, underbody, chassis mounts, crash zones, and electrical routing.
Drive design for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA) in collaboration with manufacturing and stamping teams.
Align BIW design strategies with crash performance, torsional rigidity, vibration damping, and fatigue requirements.
Evaluate and implement innovative material mixes (steel, aluminum, composites) and advanced joining technologies (laser welding, adhesives, structural rivets, FSW, etc.).
Guide prototype builds, physical validation, and correlation with simulation for structural performance.
Ensure adherence to global safety and regulatory compliance for crash, pedestrian protection, and occupant safety.
Develop talent, technical capability, and organizational structure to support BIW engineering across all regions.
Structural Performance & Safety:
Deliver high-stiffness, lightweight BIW architectures with optimal crash energy management.
Lead efforts to meet or exceed global crash safety standards and consumer rating systems (NCAP, IIHS, etc.).
Lightweighting & Materials Strategy:
Optimize material selection and thickness distribution to reduce weight without compromising performance.
Integrate multi-material solutions (steel-aluminum hybrids, magnesium, CFRP) and ensure manufacturability.
Platform Modularity & Scalability:
Define scalable BIW structures across vehicle variants and segments to reduce engineering and tooling costs.
Enable flexible integration with EV powertrains, battery enclosures, and alternative propulsion systems.
Manufacturing & Joining Integration:
Ensure BIW designs are robust for stamping, welding, assembly, and dimensional control.
Partner with manufacturing for early validation and tooling feasibility.
CAE Collaboration & Digital Engineering:
Drive simulation-led development with early CAE input on stiffness, modal, crash, and thermal behavior.
Incorporate digital twin models for faster development and validation loops.
Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or Structural Engineering; PhD preferred.
20+ years of experience in vehicle body engineering with strong BIW specialization.
Proven track record of leading structural development for multiple vehicle programs from concept to production.
Expertise in structural design, advanced materials, joining technologies, and CAE integration.
Strong knowledge of global crash regulations, GD&T, tolerance stack-up, and vehicle architecture interfaces.
Experience working with international teams, joint ventures, and suppliers.
Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration skills.