Director, ADK Core Engineering
May Mobility
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
USD 165k-205k / year
Posted on Feb 11, 2026
May Mobility is transforming cities through autonomous technology to create a safer, greener, more accessible world. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, May develops and deploys autonomous vehicles (AVs) powered by our innovative Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology that literally reimagines the way AVs think.
Our vehicles do more than just drive themselves - they provide value to communities, bridge public transit gaps and move people where they need to go safely, easily and with a lot more fun. We’re building the world’s best autonomy system to reimagine transit by minimizing congestion, expanding access and encouraging better land use in order to foster more green, vibrant and livable spaces. Since our founding in 2017, we’ve given more than 300,000 autonomy-enabled rides to real people around the globe. And we’re just getting started. We’re hiring people who share our passion for building the future, today, solving real-world problems and seeing the impact of their work. Join us.
Job Summary
As Director, ADK Core Engineering, you will oversee all aspects of engineering operations within the core engineering group. Your primary responsibilities include leading multiple engineering teams, defining and executing departmental strategies, and ensuring the timely and successful delivery of engineering projects that follow an iterative, agile methodology.. You will play a pivotal role in driving innovation, fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams, and aligning core engineering efforts with company objectives. Additionally, you will be responsible for managing budgets, setting and tracking performance metrics, and cultivating a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. As a key member of the leadership team, you will contribute to the overall strategic direction of the company and serve as a champion for technological advancement and best practices. Your role will involve providing mentorship and guidance to engineering staff, fostering their professional growth and development, and representing the engineering function in internal and external communications. Overall, your leadership will be instrumental in driving engineering excellence and ensuring the company's continued success in meeting its objectives and delivering value to customers.
Essential Responsibilities
- Manage the integration of next generation sensor technologies, networking, power, and computing systems into current and upcoming vehicle platforms, while considering cost, performance, size and availability.
- Lead partnerships with 3rd party engineering firms to define scope of work, monitor progress, and ensure deliverables meet scope, timing and requirements
- Lead the vehicle engineering pertaining to embedded software.
- Ensures close coordination between product management, program management, autonomy and production to ensure the on time development of engineering requirements, design and execution.
- Oversees departmental KPIs, budgets, and people management activities
- Develop, maintain and monitor department objectives and key results (OKRs)
- Ensure that all engineering activities comply with the internal engineering development process
- Support existing platform sustaining engineering activities as needed once vehicles are released to the field in terms of quality, cost, obsolescence, and user quality of life
- Define the long term technical roadmap and strategic vision, alongside key stakeholders
- Work closely with product management to define the product strategy and product roadmap.
- Lead core value analysis and value engineering (VA/VE) activities to optimize value of the product and service.
- Work with other teams to develop the autonomous driving system architecture, which meets UL 4600 functional safety requirements.
Skills and Abilities
Success in this role typically requires the following competencies:
- Ability to inspire and motivate teams, provide clear direction, and lead by example
- Ability to successfully manage and mentor others in leadership (management) roles
- Capacity to envision and articulate long-term, strategic goals, formulate effective strategies, and make decisions that align with organizational objectives
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex ideas clearly, influence stakeholders, and foster collaboration
- Skill in understanding and managing emotions, building relationships, and navigating interpersonal dynamics effectively
- Flexibility to thrive in dynamic environments, embrace change, and adjust strategies as needed to achieve goals
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to assess situations, evaluate options, and make informed decisions under pressure
- Aptitude for working effectively with cross-functional teams, building consensus, and leveraging diverse perspectives to achieve common goals
- In-depth understanding of the autonomous vehicle, electric vehicle, and automotive landscape
- Understanding of how to lead both hardware and software teams in an agile, test driven approach to move quickly while still ensuring quality and safety of hardware designs
Qualifications and Experience
Candidates most successful in this role typically hold the following qualifications or comparable knowledge or experience:
Required
- BS in an Engineering discipline or related field
- 10+ years relevant work experience and proven success leading engineering functions
- Demonstrated people management experience, including hiring, onboarding, retention, coaching, and team building
- Experience setting technical vision and strategy for vehicle systems engineering and autonomous driving subsystems
- Experience working with safety-critical products, preferably automotive or aerospace
Desirable
- MS degree, preferably in Engineering or Business
- Startup experience
- Autonomous vehicle technology experience
- Experience developing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
- Has led teams in driving continuous improvements into a vehicle after its in market
- Operations management experience
Physical Requirements
- Standard office working conditions which includes but is not limited to:
- Prolonged sitting
- Prolonged computer use
Travel required? - Minimal: 1%-10%
Benefits and Perks
- Comprehensive healthcare suite including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans. Domestic partners who have been residing together at least one year are also eligible to participate.
- Health Savings and Flexible Spending Healthcare and Dependent Care Accounts available.
- Rich retirement benefits, including an immediately vested employer safe harbor match.
- Generous paid parental leave as well as a phased return to work.
- Flexible vacation policy in addition to paid company holidays.
- Total Wellness Program providing numerous resources for overall wellbeing
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and/or people of color are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every qualification. At May Mobility, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workforce, so if you’re excited about this role but your previous experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway! You may be the perfect candidate for this or another role at May.
Want to learn more about our culture & benefits? Check out our website!
May Mobility is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetics or any other legally protected basis. Below, you have the opportunity to share your preferred gender pronouns, gender, ethnicity, and veteran status with May Mobility to help us identify areas of improvement in our hiring and recruitment processes. Completion of these questions is entirely voluntary. Any information you choose to provide will be kept confidential, and will not impact the hiring decision in any way. If you believe that you will need any type of accommodation, please let us know.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: May Mobility does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Furthermore, May Mobility does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.
Salary Range
$165,000—$205,000 USD