The posting
Here at Scout Motors, we're carrying forward the heritage of one of the most iconic American vehicles in history. A vehicle dating back to 1960. One that forged the path for future generations of rugged SUVs and trucks and will do so once again.
But Scout is more than just a brand, it’s a legacy steeped in a culture of exploration, caretaking, and hard work.
The Scout brand is all about respect. Respect for the past and the future by taking an iconic American brand that hasn’t been around for a while, electrifying it, digitizing it, and loading it with American innovation. Respect for communities by creating a company that stands for its people and its customers. Respect for both work and play, with vehicles that are equally at home at a camp site, a job site, or on a Tuesday commute. And respect for our customers by developing two powertrains that meet their requirements — an all-electric powertrain as well as the Harvester™ range extender powertrain which includes a built-in gas-powered generator with an estimated 500 miles of combined range.
At Scout Motors, we empower our talented, inclusive, and entrepreneurial teams to innovate. What makes a Scout employee? Someone who is a visionary and a leader, who seeks new paths and shares lessons learned. A knowledgeable doer who collaborates across the company to build better. A go-getter with unrivaled passion.
Join us at Scout Motors and be part of shaping the future of transportation. If you're ready to drive change and make history, apply now!
What you’ll do
Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:
- Serve as the senior technical authority and primary point of contact at the Columbia/Blythewood Production Center for the Verification and Validation team in Novi.
- Own and continuously improve the integrated whole-vehicle test strategy, including test scope, sequencing, methods, readiness criteria, and decision points across prototype and pre-series builds.
- Independently solve complex, ambiguous test and build issues that span vehicle systems, manufacturing processes, software, hardware, and supplier interfaces.
- Lead cross-functional root-cause analysis and countermeasure development for failures arising during the production process; drive issues to technically sound and sustainable closure.
- Advise Body, Interior, Energy, Electrical, Software, Manufacturing, Quality, and other partners on how simulation, test results, and build findings should influence vehicle design and production decisions.
- Establish and maintain test standards, technical procedures, reporting expectations, escalation paths, and reusable best practices for test-vehicle activities at the site.
- Design, plan, and conduct whole-vehicle testing; evaluate performance against requirements and identify risks that could affect program milestones or production readiness.
- Generate clear, decision-oriented vehicle reports that summarize build parameters, test results, root causes, risks, and recommendations for design, material, software, or process changes.
- Oversee R&D test equipment at the site, including technical requirements, readiness, calibration, availability, and appropriate use.
- Influence concept and systems architecture decisions by bringing production, integration, and validation insights into design reviews and technical trade-off discussions.
- Ensure proposed solutions and alternative designs align with applicable safety standards, U.S. government regulations, vehicle-level requirements, and Scout engineering expectations.
- Lead technical coordination with suppliers, clarify validation requirements, assess supplier deliverables, and resolve issues that affect system integration or test readiness.
- Partner with the pre-series team to improve build execution, identify systemic gaps, and transfer lessons learned into future builds and series-production processes.
- Provide technical guidance and coaching to engineers and cross-functional partners; strengthen problem-solving capability beyond the immediate Test Vehicle Management area.
- Support hands-on prototyping, vehicle bring-up, instrumentation, data collection, software implementation, and test execution as needed.
- Perform other related duties and activities as required.
Location & Travel Expectations:
- This role will be based out of the Scout Motors location in Blythewood, South Carolina
- This role requires 4-5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events.
- Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.
- Travel: Domestic and international travel required, approximately X % of the time. Valid driver's license required. Passport required.
What you’ll bring
We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, engineering management, or a related field.
- 8+ years of relevant professional experience, including substantial experience in whole-vehicle testing, validation, integration, or test-vehicle build management within the automotive or electric-vehicle industry.
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems creatively and independently, including issues with incomplete information, competing priorities, or cross-system dependencies.
- Experience owning whole-vehicle test planning and adapting test scope or schedules based on program risk, build maturity, customer needs, and emerging technical findings.
- Deep working knowledge of specialized test equipment, instrumentation, data-acquisition systems, diagnostics, and analysis software.
- Strong knowledge of relevant automotive standards, regulations, safety protocols, and validation practices.
- Proven ability to influence technical decisions and advise stakeholders beyond the immediate area of specialization without relying on formal authority.
- Experience leading cross-functional technical work across engineering, manufacturing, quality, validation, and supplier organizations.
- Strong systems thinking and the ability to connect component, subsystem, vehicle, production, and customer impacts.
- Advanced root-cause analysis, structured problem-solving, risk assessment, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage multiple complex workstreams and deliverables against program milestones with limited direction.
- Strong supplier-management skills, including requirements alignment, validation planning, technical issue resolution, and deliverable follow-through.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical findings into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Advanced project steering and coordination skills, with demonstrated ownership of broad project scope and interdependent deliverables.
- Hands-on capability in prototyping, vehicle integration, testing, troubleshooting, and software or calibration implementation.
- Proven ability to build trusted working relationships across organizational levels and in a global, cross-functional environment.
- Strong ownership, curiosity, resourcefulness, collaboration, and a growth mindset in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
- Minimum of a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent is required for all roles at Scout Motors, Inc
What you'll gain
The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up. This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation. In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:
- Competitive insurance including: Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
- 401(k) program with: An employer match and immediate vesting
- Generous Paid Time Off including: 20 days planned PTO, as accrued 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave
Pay Transparency
This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.
Initial Base Salary Range: $130,000.00 - $160,000.00
Internal Leveling Code: IC8
Notice to applicants:
- To be considered for career opportunities at Scout Motors, applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Residing in San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Scout Motors will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
- Residing in Los Angeles: Scout Motors will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
- Residing in New York City: This role is not eligible for remote work in New York City.
Equal Opportunity
Scout Motors is committed to employing a diverse workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, or any other characteristics protected by law. Scout Motors is committed to compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [email protected].
