Department Overview

Definition, development, delivery and verification of Durability and Reliability (D&R) attribute for all Aston Martin derivatives

Job purpose 

Define, develop, deliver and verify the Durability and Reliability (D&R) attribute at vehicle, system and component level for all Aston Martin vehicle programmes through managing the Field Evaluation Unit (FEU) fleet for User Acceptance Testing (UAT). The FEU manager is responsible and accountable to define and manage the FEU vehicle fleet to robustly track fleet integrity and issue tracking / resolution from User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for appropriate programme gateways. This will combine subjective and objective, hardware and software issue tracking and resolution to protect the customer perception of the brand and market segment vehicle derivatives.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Responsible for the definition and size of the FEU fleet using the business toolset (programme scaling, Programme PMXU etc) to ensure robust development, verification and delivery of the components, systems, and software feature interdependencies at vehicle level when subject to vehicle-based noise factors across all Aston Martin vehicle derivatives
• Collaborate with Advanced Product Creation (APC) team to scope and define appropriate research and benchmark initiatives to develop and future the FEU contribution to the Durability and Reliability attribute and enable development of appropriate specifications and standards
• Define and develop a Field Evaluation Unit (FEU) strategy and deployment roadmap to enable robust vehicle BoM and component / software revision level tracking. Build integrity verification metrics, and software system monitoring that includes data logging to enable robust User Acceptance Testing verification as par of the Durability and Reliability (D&R attribute for Aston Martin vehicles and market derivatives
• Develop a Field Evaluation Unit (FEU) Bill of Process (BoP) (e.g. Provision for data logging on <TT> and <PP> build vehicles, Build Book, Torque charts, wear out item measurables and tracking, service item and procedure measurables, software error state measurement and tracking to capture and demonstrate Aston Martin robustness and best practice vs Best in Class (BiC) benchmark examples
• Track and publish Field Evaluation Unit (FEU)) requirements, standards, specifications, test procedures and best practice guidelines that align to the brand DNA and Aston Martin vehicle and market derivatives
• Embed Field Evaluation Unit (FEU) methodology and lessons learned into the wider business (attribute, commodity teams and business functions) to ensure the learning and best practice becomes fully integrated within the wider business
• Establish a direct stakeholder network with key commodity (hardware and software), attribute teams and business functions to enable the robust development, delivery and verification of the vehicle intended functions and features through qualifying build integrity and part revisions, tracking commodity DVP’s for noise factor robustness and hardware / software error state logging, and Interim / Permanent Containment Actions (ICA / PCA)
• Establish an indirect stakeholder network for the supporting interfaces in the delivery of the Durability and Reliability (D&R) attribute (e.g Perceived Quality (engine bay craftsmanship), Cost of ownership (wear rates of tyres, brake pads and other consumables), Service (inspection, service item refresh, DTC interrogation etc).
• Document and report Durability and Reliability (D&R) attribute status against defined targets for programme gateways, documenting KPI status across vehicle attributes groups and commodity teams. Identify, evaluate, and drive solutions through the respective PAT and PMT meetings and issue management toolset.
• Review commodity team foundation DFMEA’s and DVP’s to ensure appropriate Durability and Reliability (D&R) requirements are cascaded, tracked, measured and reported
• Develop a Field Evaluation Unit (FEU) review process at the appropriate programme build phases (Commodity team build sign off pre-test, regular status updates with error state tracking and post-test structured de-commissioning) to capture status vs target with key stakeholders and internal customers
• Ensure Field Evaluation Unit (FEU) issues are tracked and robustly contained and counter-measured using agreed issue tracking and reporting tools throughout the programme gateway process
• Publish engineering reports to support the above.
• Support and host relevant PMT/PAT meetings as required.

Experience and qualifications

Essential experience

• Proven experience working in vehicle development within an Automotive OEM or adjacent representative sector
• Proven leadership experience in attribute development and delivery with direct and indirect stakeholders within a product delivery framework
• Experience of high volume / niche vehicle (low volume) programmes
• Experience with vehicle instrumentation and data acquisition (Data logging for software driven systems e.g. Ipetronik, Vector, OXTS RT)
• Experience with data analysis / data acquisition software, including N-Code, CANape, CANalyzer, ETAS INCA
• Must have excellent analytical skills, with experience in applying statistical analysis techniques
• Experience with post processing vehicle logged data using N-Code software suite
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, SQL or other programming tools
• Experience with interfacing with direct and indirect customers and translating vehicle error state feedback into objective, measurable definitions
• Must be proficient with the use of all common Microsoft Office applications
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Preferred experience

• Working in cross functional teams, preferably in a Vehicle Development role
• Working knowledge of prototype and production vehicle fleet management is desirable
• Experience of vehicle package / concept would be desirable, as would be working in a Vehicle Attribute department
• A working knowledge of Teamcenter and NX is desirable
• A working knowledge of Jira / Confluence is desirable
• An ability to communicate complex ideas quickly and include system / component expertise in decision making
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions against conflicting requirements to deliver a balanced recommendation for the vehicle programme

Essential education/ qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent with a vehicle attribute bias desirable.

Required skills/ behaviours

• An energetic, driven and goal-based leader with a passion for delivering challenging projects to exact and compact timescales with a significant amount of innovation and customer focus
• Must be well organised and methodical, with an excellent attention to detail
• Able to work as an effective member of a team, while also confident to work alone
• Can adapt quickly to become skilled with the use of new hardware and software
• Must demonstrate a high level of self-motivation, initiative and flexibility, and determination to see a task through to completion
• A natural mentor and coach who values personal relationships across the whole business
• A confident, engaging communicator able to influence and lead high level meetings
• Able to remain focused under pressure
• Capable of representing a world class automotive brand
• Must be fluent in the English language

Hiring manager - Mark Stanton

Grade - M

Positions: One 

Belong at Aston Martin

At Aston Martin, we believe that the stunning beauty, craftsmanship, and artistry that define our brand come from the diverse voices and talents of our extraordinary team. We are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Your unique perspectives, shaped by your education, culture, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, abilities, and more, are what make us stronger and more innovative. We celebrate the richness of diversity and actively seek individuals who bring something new to the table.

If you require any accommodations or support during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to ensure that you can bring your best, in every way.

Let’s build something remarkable together.

The post holder will be required to comply with all policies and procedures issued by and on behalf of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd