Main System Engineer, Body Systems – Exteriors & Interiors

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

As a Main System Engineer, Body Systems – Exteriors & Interiors, you will serve as the operational and technical integration extension of the Main System Lead (MSL), supporting the successful development and delivery of the Body Systems portfolio.

This position is responsible for driving cross-functional alignment, readiness, transparency, and issue resolution across multiple System Engineering Teams (SETs) within the Exteriors and Interiors domain. The Main System Engineer works closely with SET Leaders, Technical Program Leaders (TPLs), Product, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Finance, Quality, and Logistics teams to ensure technical content, program milestones, sourcing activities, risks, and deliverables are mature and aligned prior to leadership reviews and decision-making forums.

Unlike a SET Leader, this role does not own an individual subsystem scope. Instead, the Main System Engineer ensures SET deliverables are integrated, aligned, decision-ready, and supportive of overall Body System objectives.

The Exteriors & Interiors Main System Engineer supports integration and delivery activities across:

• Exterior Trim

• Fascias and Bumpers

• Lighting Systems

• Glazing Systems

• Interior Trim

• Instrument Panel Systems

• Console Systems

• Seating Systems

• Restraint Systems

• Associated Body Systems content

Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

Main System Integration & Alignment

• Support the Main System Lead in coordinating delivery activities across the Exteriors and Interiors Body Systems portfolio.

• Act as a central integration point between SET Leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Ensure alignment between engineering development activities, vehicle program objectives, and business requirements.

• Drive transparency regarding technical status, timing, cost, quality, sourcing, and risk topics.

• Identify and manage dependencies across multiple SETs and organizational functions.

Governance & Decision Readiness

• Prepare and coordinate topics requiring review within Main System governance forums.

• Assess readiness and completeness of deliverables prior to leadership reviews.

• Ensure supporting technical, cost, timing, quality, sourcing, and risk information is available for decision-making.

• Support preparation, execution, and documentation of Main System Team (MST) meetings and escalation reviews.

• Track actions, decisions, and commitments resulting from governance activities.

Program Management & Risk Monitoring

• Consolidate status reporting across Exteriors and Interiors SETs.

• Monitor engineering milestones, deliverables, sourcing readiness, and development progress.

• Maintain visibility of open issues, program risks, and mitigation plans.

• Facilitate timely escalation of issues affecting technical, cost, timing, quality, or vehicle integration objectives.

• Drive accountability for closure of action items and identified program risks.

Support of SET Leaders

• Partner with SET Leaders to improve topic maturity and cross-functional alignment.

• Challenge readiness assessments, timing plans, technical assumptions, and risk evaluations.

• Support development of decision-ready content for engineering and leadership reviews.

• Facilitate resolution of issues extending beyond an individual SET's responsibility.

• Promote consistent engineering governance and reporting practices across the organization.

Communication & Leadership Support

• Develop integrated status reporting and management summaries.

• Support communication of priorities, decisions, risks, and recovery plans.

• Serve as an escalation and coordination resource within the Body Systems organization.

• Assist the Main System Lead in driving strategic objectives across the assigned scope.

Location & Travel Expectations:

• This role may be based out of the Scout Motors corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC or Novi, Michigan.

• 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.

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:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in an engineering discipline (Master’s degree and significant experience is a plus).

• 5+ years of automotive engineering, program management, systems engineering, or vehicle development experience.

• Experience working within cross-functional vehicle development organizations.

• Strong understanding of automotive product development and launch processes.

• Proven ability to influence without direct authority and coordinate multiple stakeholders.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

• Willingness to travel to suppliers, manufacturing, and testing facilities as required throughout product development and launch. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with body systems, interiors, exteriors, vehicle integration, or engineering program management.

• Knowledge of VW Group tools and process is a huge plus.

• Experience supporting engineering governance and decision-making processes.

• Knowledge of vehicle development milestones, sourcing processes, and launch readiness activities.

• Familiarity with timing management, issue resolution, and risk mitigation methodologies.

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 = $110,000.00 - $135,000.00

Internal leveling code: IC9

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 ScoutAccommodations@scoutmotors.com.