Senior Engineer – Whole Vehicle Issue Management

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!Overview We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Engineer – Whole Vehicle Issue Management to lead the tracking, coordination, and resolution of vehicle-level issues during prototype and pre-series phases.  This role acts as the central control point for all vehicle issues, ensuring transparency, prioritization, and timely resolution across cross-functional teams. The position requires strong expertise in structured issue management (JIRA mandatory), a solid understanding of VW Group development processes, and the ability to operate effectively in a German-language engineering environment.  In addition, this role is expected to actively drive AI and digital initiatives to improve issue management efficiency, data transparency, and decision-making.  What you’ll do   At Scout Motors, you don't just design vehicles- you shape the future of the road. Our Engineering team is where bold ideas meet rigorous execution, building machines that are as durable and capable as the people who drive them. You'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with brilliant minds across disciplines, turning complex challenges into elegant, scalable solutions that meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and user experience. This is a place where your fingerprints are found on metal – where what you design gets built, driven, and remembered. If you're hungry to engineer something that matters, Scout Motors is where that ambition finds its highest gear.    Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following: Whole Vehicle Issue Management (Core Responsibility)  Own and manage the central issue tracking for complete vehicle programs  Drive structured issue management processes (Schadentisch) across all vehicle domains  Ensure all issues are:   Clearly documented  Properly categorized and prioritized  Assigned to responsible owners  Maintain full visibility of issue status, progress, and resolution  JIRA-Based Execution (Mandatory Core Tool)  Use JIRA as the single source of truth for all issue tracking  Define and maintain:   Issue structures and taxonomy  Workflows and status logic  Dashboards and reporting views  Ensure strict adherence to traceability, data quality, and update discipline  Drive consistent and scalable use of JIRA across all stakeholders  Schadentisch Coordination & Governance  Lead and prepare regular Schadentisch / issue review meetings  Ensure clear communication of:   Critical issues  Escalations  Blocking topics  Track decisions, actions, and follow-ups  Drive accountability across engineering, validation, and supplier teams  Cross-Functional Alignment  Act as central interface between:   Engineering (all domains)  Validation & test teams  Prototype / garage operations  Suppliers  Ensure alignment on:   Issue understanding  Root cause direction  Resolution timing and priorities  Escalation & Risk Management  Identify and escalate risks impacting:   Vehicle functionality  Test readiness  Program milestones  Ensure transparency of high-risk topics  Support leadership decision-making through structured issue insights  Root Cause & Resolution Follow-Up  Ensure issues are properly investigated (not only symptom-based fixes)  Track root cause identification and corrective actions  Verify closure quality and prevent recurrence  Promote structured problem-solving approaches across teams  AI & Digital Initiatives (Key Differentiator)  Proactively identify and implement AI-driven improvements in issue management processes  Leverage AI tools to:   Automating issue categorization and prioritization  Generate summaries of large issue datasets  Identify patterns, recurring failures, and systemic risks  Improve JIRA usage efficiency through:   Automation rules  Smart workflows  Data structuring and optimization  Develop or support dashboards and insights that enhance real-time visibility  Reduce manual reporting efforts through automation and AI-assisted workflows  Act as a driver of digital transformation within V&V / integration operations  Expected mindset: Not just using tools — finding better ways of working  Location & Travel Expectations: This role may be based out of the Scout Motors corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC.  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