Love. It’s what makes Subaru, Subaru®. And as the seventh largest auto brand in the US, we strive to be More Than a Car Company®. Subaru believes in being a positive force in the communities in which we live and work, not just with donations but with actions that set an example for others to follow. That’s what we call our Subaru Love Promise®.

SUMMARY

Plan and implements Subaru’s future connected vehicle products (infotainment and telematics) across the Subaru product portfolio by working together with Subaru Corporation (SBR), Subaru of America (SOA) business partners, Subaru Research and Development (SRD) and outside vendors to support SBR/SOA product technology and business initiatives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research and studies the automotive and technology landscape; creates strategic proposals to achieve competitive connected vehicle products and services that satisfy customer needs and expectations while strengthening SOA’s position in the U.S. market.
• Facilitates and manages user clinics, focus groups and surveys to capture critical research.
• Maintains strong relationships with external business partners, vendors, and industry trade groups to facilitate identification of future products and technical trends.
• Collaborates with the product management and marketing departments to understand problems and needs. Ensures technology proposals and concepts are evaluated holistically with the rest of the vehicle development.
• Develops initial product requirements and business plans for connected vehicle products and services.
• In conjunction with SBR and Subaru Research & Development (SRD), manages the design of the UX of new infotainment and telematics products to ensure they meet the requirements SOA has established.
  

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong analytic and decision-making skills, especially with incomplete information.
• Ability to produce results effectively under significantly restricted time and resource constraints.
• Ability to be flexible with constantly changing and challenging business and technology conditions.
• Ability to identify gaps and opportunities in the Subaru technology roadmap and propose solutions.
• Strong understanding of the Subaru brand and how technology can strengthen its core values.
• Passion for all things technology and automotive
• Independent thinking and idea generation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for a diversity of audiences and competency in cultural sensitivity, in part due to extensive interaction and coordination with SBR staff (at SOA and in Japan), multi-national suppliers, and executive members at SOA and SBR.
• Ability to build consensus across multiple departments with different business priorities and objectives.
• Strong understanding of SOA business operations, the automotive industry, and consumer electronics.
• Creativity and insight to manage short- and long-range planning cycles.
• Advanced technical skills and experience in order to effectively communicate with SBR and partner development engineers.
• Detailed operational knowledge of product planning and Microsoft Office software.
• Japanese language skills preferred.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Physical Demands: Occasional setting up and teardown of displays at marketing and/pr field events (approx. 25lbs.)
  

CERTIFCATION/LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a driving record that is acceptable or probationary under the SOA Driving Record Evaluation Criteria Policy. Must be approved as an “authorized driver” by Risk Management to operate company vehicles.
  

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: BA/BS with 6 to 8 years of relevant experience

TRAVEL: 20%

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SALARY RANGE: The recruiting base salary range for this full-time position is $86,700 - $123,800. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.