Engineer Sr – Accident Research

Role Summary:

This position is responsible for the assessment of US crash data provided by the NHTSA including: NASS-CDS (now NASS-CISS), NASS-GES (now NASS-CRSS), FARS, and CIREN. Additional data sources may also be required to be analyzed as available and necessary.

This position is responsible primarily for analyzing crash data to develop understandings for real-world accident scenarios which can be important for VW Group product development. Additionally, presentations of research finding to external partners is expected. Such research would be used for developing and/or validating positions toward NHTSA rulemaking proposals. Data can be used in VW Group comments or Trade Industry comments for such rulemaking or other NHTSA guidelines or proposals. As such, collaboration with government agencies (USDOT, NHTSA, Transport Canada), standards development organizations (SAE, IEEE, ANSI, UL, etc.), consumer advocacy groups (IIHS, HLDI, etc.), and trade organizations (e.g. Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, AIAMC, etc. should be expected.

This position will the responsible project manager for researching VW Group vehicle crashes in the field while interfacing with the 3 rd Party Research Entity, VW Group Accident Research, Audi AG Accident Research, VW AG and Audi AG Development, VWGoA Legal, VWGoA Product Analysis Group, and VWGoA Consumer Protection departments.

The initial training may require business trips to Wolfsburg and Ingolstadt, Germany, in order to master challenges of accident research work and statistical analysis

Role Responsibilities:

Expert for Accident Research Data Analysis:

• Serves as primary VW Group subject matter expert to query and analyze US crash data using computer coding techniques (e.g. R, SAS, SQL, Python) and statistical testing methods as needed to support VW Group development topics.
• Topics may include, but not be limited to occupant protection and potential injury causation and frequency, vehicle structural performance, pre-crash conditions (e.g. weather/lighting conditions, infrastructure, visibility), future automated vehicle function guidance, etc.
• Collaborate with VW Group Accident Research department in Germany and China to develop global conclusions for use in the vehicle development process.
• Derived analysis may be used to support VW Group comments to federal rulemaking (e.g. FMVSS), state laws, and/or consumer information testing programs (e.g. IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK , US NCAP, Consumer Reports).
• Serves as VWGoA representative to industry committees, governmental agencies, VW and Audi AG, and other internal and external entities; represents VW Group persuasively in external meetings and forums such as: NHTSA; Transport Canada; State regulatory authorities; trade associations; SAE/ISO; etc.).

Expert for Project Management for 3 rd Party Research Projects

• Serve as the project manager for a field study to collect and analyze field data from vehicle crashes in the US involving some VW Group vehicles. Expectation is to extend the pilot study to an annual project in order to provide feedback on real-world performance for consideration into the vehicle development process.
• Serve as the project manager for special research projects as identified collectively by VW Group Accident Research parties

Expert for Presentation of US Accident Research

• Author and/or present accident research findings either internally and/or externally in written and/or oral formats.
• Presentation of research findings at the annual Accident Research Day (aka UFO Tag) in Germany.
• Presentation of research findings at industry safety conferences (e.g. SAE Government Industry Meeting, Lifesavers, IRCOBI, Stapp Conference, etc.)

Represent VWGoA in Trade Associations and Standards Organizations

• Support VW Group positions with Accident Research data in Auto Innovators and/or Global Automakers of Canada Working Group meetings.
• Support VW Group positions with Accident Research data standards organizations (e.g. SAE, AVSC, ISO, etc.)

Qualifications:

Years of Experience:

• 10+ years of experience; specifically related to field of expertise

Education – Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Mechanical/Biomechanical Engineering, Computer Science or related field

Education – Desired:

• Advanced Degree in Statistics, Mechanical/Biomechanical Engineering, Computer Science or related field

Skills:

• Analytical and conceptual thinking – using logic and reason, creative and strategic

• Communication skills – interpersonal, presentation and written

• Project management – facilitating complex projects on time with cross-functional work groups

• Integration – joining people, processes or systems

• Influencing and negotiation skills

• Problem solving

• Resource management

Specialized Skills- Required:

• Knowledge of advanced statistical methods
• Understanding of automotive crash conditions and kinematics
• Computer programming in R,SAS, SQL, Python, or equivalent
• Demonstrated ability to write detailed, technical, and concise public documents in a legally sensitive manner
• Proven Project Management skills/experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (English language)

Specialized Skills- Desired:

• Previous automotive crash data analysis
• Human biomechanics and injury causation
• Integration – joining people, processes or systems
• Fluent in the German language

Work Flexibility:

• Travel requirement is approximately 10%-20%
• Travel requirements include flexibility for international/overseas travel
• Flexibility regarding starting time required due to early morning conference calls
• Flexibility for overtime/weekend work required due to workload demands and legal deadlines

Volkswagen Group of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

Source ⇲