Head Of Business Development Jobs in Michigan

Role Overview

We are seeking a senior commercialization leader to drive growth and market adoption of an integrated automotive platform portfolio combining hardware, embedded software, electronics, and data solutions.

This leader will be responsible for platform commercialization with U.S. OEMs—starting with the Detroit 3 — while serving as the primary voice of the customer into product strategy and technology roadmaps.

This is not a traditional sales role and not a services or component-selling position. The role operates at an architecture and platform level, shaping long‑term OEM commitments and influencing internal technical direction. The platform business has a long‑term revenue ambition exceeding $500M.

Key Responsibilities

OEM Platform Commercialization

• Own OEM platform strategy and commercialization plans, with initial focus on the Detroit 3
• Drive platform adoption across multiple vehicle lines, programs, and model years
• Lead executive-level engagements with OEM CTO, Chief Engineer, Architecture, and Purchasing organizations
• Structure and negotiate long‑term platform agreements, including roadmap alignment and scalability commitments
• Expand platform adoption beyond Detroit 3 to additional OEMs as credibility is established

Voice of the Customer & Roadmap Leadership

• Serve as the primary conduit of OEM needs into internal product, engineering, and technology teams
• Influence platform roadmaps based on market demand, including:
• Feature prioritization
• Hardware / software partitioning
• Cost vs. capability tradeoffs
• Platform reuse vs. OEM‑specific customization
• Represent customer priorities in internal roadmap governance and investment decisions
• Proactively challenge internal assumptions to ensure platforms align with real‑world OEM requirements

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Operate as a peer to Product and Engineering leadership
• Align commercialization strategy with platform architecture, operations, and supply chain
• Help position the company as a strategic platform partner, not a traditional supplier
• Contribute to long‑term platform, portfolio, and ecosystem strategy

Scope of Platforms

• Multi‑layer software and data solutions
• Embedded electronics and control modules
• Power electronics and battery management/control systems (BMS)
• Sensors, controllers, and related vehicle electronics
• Hardware‑software integrated architectures

Required Qualifications

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in:
• Automotive Tier‑1 suppliers
• Silicon or reference platform providers
• System‑level automotive technology companies
• Direct experience commercializing integrated platforms that combine hardware, embedded software, and electronics
• Proven ownership of senior OEM relationships, preferably with GM, Ford, and/or Stellantis
• Track record selling architecture‑level or multi‑vehicle platforms, not one‑off programs or engineering services
• Experience operating at $100M+ platform scale, with exposure to broader portfolio growth

Skills & Capabilities

• Deep understanding of OEM electrical/electronic architectures
• Strong fluency across:
• Power electronics and control systems
• Embedded software platforms
• Hardware‑software tradeoffs
• Data and lifecycle value creation
• Ability to operate effectively across engineering, purchasing, product, and executive stakeholders
• Comfortable driving internal change and making difficult prioritization decisions
• Executive‑level communication and influence skills

Preferred Background

• Former Global Account VP / Director / Manager for a Detroit 3 OEM
• Platform GM / Manager or Head of Platform Commercialization
• Experience with centralized compute, powertrain electronics, ADAS, SDV, BMS, or cross‑domain architectures

What This Role Is Not

• Not a component sales role
• Not a tools, middleware, or SaaS‑only role
• Not a consulting or services commercialization role

Candidates whose experience is primarily manpower‑based engineering sales or fully custom, per‑program deals will not be a fit.

Level & Title Considerations

Title may range from Sr Manager to VP, depending on candidate background.

Regardless of title, this role requires:

• Authority to influence product and technology roadmaps
• Executive access internally and externally
• Ability to operate as a platform business leader

Why This Role Matters

This role will help shape:

• The company’s platform strategy
• Long‑term OEM partnerships
• How customer demand directly drives product and technology decisions

The right leader will fundamentally influence both market positioning and internal direction.