Director, Digital Ecosystem

Director, Digital Ecosystem Applications

Director of Software Platforms at Innovation & Engineering Center California, responsible for managing research and development of Connected Mobility Platforms, AI orchestration layer, and next‑generation Cloud applications across Android Automotive OS, SDV architecture, and infotainment. This role oversees personnel management, multi‑million‑dollar program management, financial planning, network management, quality control of automotive‑grade software, and strategic leadership across the full stack.

• Define technical mission, architecture strategy, and long‑term platform vision for In‑Vehicle Computing & Digital Ecosystem Applications, spanning Android Automotive OS, in‑vehicle compute platforms, Software‑Defined Vehicle architecture, and AI‑driven cockpit intelligence.
• Provide technical leadership across the full software stack—including Android Framework, System Services, HAL layers, middleware, connectivity, media/audio frameworks, HMI tool chains, and cloud‑connected AI runtimes.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams in platform bring‑up, system integration, performance optimization, and development of AI‑agentic features, multimodal interaction, and next‑generation speech technologies.
• Manage multi‑year budgets for platform development, AI integration, SDV compute evolution, SoC evaluation, cloud services, and prototype programs.
• Deliver executive‑level technical reporting on architecture decisions, platform readiness, SDV integration milestones, AI progress, risks, and strategic recommendations.
• Drive strategic planning for ICC’s infotainment and cockpit portfolio, including AAOS evolution, hybrid cloud/edge AI pipelines, intelligent mobile agent technologies, and SDV‑centric software roadmaps.

• Align technical roadmaps with global VW Group Innovation teams across infotainment, connectivity, AI/ML, vehicle architecture, cloud services, and SDV platform strategy.
• Build strategic relationships with SoC vendors, Tier‑1 suppliers, cloud providers, and AI technology partners to influence cockpit compute and SDV platform evolution.
• Maintain partnerships with Silicon Valley companies specializing in AI runtimes, LLMs, speech, multimodal interaction, and automotive‑grade SDV‑compatible frameworks.
• Collaborate with academic and research institutions on AI‑agentic systems, embedded ML, HMI, and in‑vehicle compute architectures aligned with SDV principles.
• Represent Volkswagen Group as a technical leader in the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
• Provide technical and organizational leadership for engineers, contractors, interns, and field service engineers across Android, embedded systems, AI/ML, cloud, HMI, and SDV‑related domains.
• Lead recruitment to build a high‑caliber engineering organization with expertise in Android internals, system architecture, AI frameworks, embedded compute, and SDV‑aligned software.
• Foster continuous technical growth through mentorship, architecture reviews, and hands‑on engineering guidance.

• Secure internal funding for ICC initiatives aligned with VW Group Innovation’s global SDV strategy and cockpit architecture goals.
• Synchronize ICC technical topics with partner departments to ensure integration into global SDV‑based vehicle programs and shared platforms.
• Evaluate emerging consumer electronics, AI frameworks (LLMs, multimodal models), Android advancements, and compute trends to guide SDV‑aligned cockpit architecture.
• Translate Silicon Valley research outputs—AI prototypes, AAOS enhancements, new interaction models—into production‑relevant SDV‑compatible technologies.
• Oversee IP creation in AI orchestration layers, multimodal agent systems, AAOS extensions, and SDV‑oriented in‑vehicle compute innovations.
• Lead R&D and release of North American accessories, ensuring technical integration with SDV‑based vehicle systems.
• Oversee software module development, integration, validation, and global releases for multiple VW Group brands, ensuring automotive‑grade quality, robustness, and long‑term maintainability within SDV architectures.

• 10+…