Engineering Director Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan
Engineering director roles in Michigan draw strong interest from international candidates, with major employers like Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, and Bosch providing visa sponsorship across metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids. The state's deep roots in automotive and advanced manufacturing create consistent demand for senior engineering leadership with specialized expertise.
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Get Access To All JobsWho We Are
VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world's leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML's global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.
VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.
About the Role
We're seeking a Executive Director of Data Engineering to lead the architecture, infrastructure, and engineering standards that power our global marketing intelligence capabilities. Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Intelligence Officer, this leader will modernize our AI infrastructure, accelerate how we build and deliver, and set global data standards across every domain we touch — creative, CX/site, CRM, audience, and media data. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technologist and a strategic leader who can build best-in-class engineering practices at global scale while driving the move toward agile, automated, and AI-native data delivery.
AI Infrastructure & Engineering Modernization:
- Design and evolve scalable AI and data infrastructure that supports predictive, prescriptive, and generative use cases across the function.
- Establish standards and tooling for accelerated delivery and faster coding — including AI-assisted development, reusable components, and automation that compresses time-to-value.
- Evaluate and introduce new technologies that enable innovation across creative, CX/site, CRM, audience, and media data domains.
- Mature our MLOps and deployment practices so models and data products move from prototype to production reliably and repeatably.
Data Standards, Taxonomies & Governance:
- Develop comprehensive, future-proof data taxonomies and data standards that bring consistency and interoperability across domains and regions.
- Set and govern global data standards — architecture, quality, lineage, documentation, and metadata — that scale across the network and agency partners.
- Embed data governance, privacy, and security by design, ensuring compliance with global regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and responsible AI practices.
- Create a single, trusted foundation for data that improves accuracy, accessibility, and reuse across teams.
Delivery Excellence & AI Integration:
- Drive continuous progress toward agile, automated, and effective data delivery, embedding DevOps/DataOps practices and CI/CD across engineering workflows.
- Define and uphold best-in-class standards for AI integration, from data pipelines through model deployment and monitoring.
- Build and lead a high-performing, globally distributed engineering organization, raising the bar on technical excellence, velocity, and reliability.
- Partner with product, analytics, and agency teams to ensure infrastructure and standards translate into faster, higher-quality outcomes.
What You'll Bring
- 20+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or platform engineering, including senior leadership of global or distributed engineering teams.
- Deep expertise in modern data infrastructure, cloud platforms, and AI/ML engineering, with hands-on command of scalable pipeline and platform design.
- Proven success establishing data taxonomies, standards, and governance frameworks across complex, multi-domain environments.
- Experience modernizing engineering practices toward automation, agile delivery, and AI-assisted development.
- Strong understanding of marketing and media data domains — creative, CX/site, CRM, audience, and media — ideally within automotive, broader industry, or agency/media agency contexts.
- Track record of integrating AI responsibly and at scale, with fluency in MLOps, DataOps, and data governance.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills at the executive level.
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.
Who We Are
VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world's leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML's global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.
VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.
About the Role
We're seeking a Executive Director of Data Engineering to lead the architecture, infrastructure, and engineering standards that power our global marketing intelligence capabilities. Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Intelligence Officer, this leader will modernize our AI infrastructure, accelerate how we build and deliver, and set global data standards across every domain we touch — creative, CX/site, CRM, audience, and media data. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technologist and a strategic leader who can build best-in-class engineering practices at global scale while driving the move toward agile, automated, and AI-native data delivery.
AI Infrastructure & Engineering Modernization:
- Design and evolve scalable AI and data infrastructure that supports predictive, prescriptive, and generative use cases across the function.
- Establish standards and tooling for accelerated delivery and faster coding — including AI-assisted development, reusable components, and automation that compresses time-to-value.
- Evaluate and introduce new technologies that enable innovation across creative, CX/site, CRM, audience, and media data domains.
- Mature our MLOps and deployment practices so models and data products move from prototype to production reliably and repeatably.
Data Standards, Taxonomies & Governance:
- Develop comprehensive, future-proof data taxonomies and data standards that bring consistency and interoperability across domains and regions.
- Set and govern global data standards — architecture, quality, lineage, documentation, and metadata — that scale across the network and agency partners.
- Embed data governance, privacy, and security by design, ensuring compliance with global regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and responsible AI practices.
- Create a single, trusted foundation for data that improves accuracy, accessibility, and reuse across teams.
Delivery Excellence & AI Integration:
- Drive continuous progress toward agile, automated, and effective data delivery, embedding DevOps/DataOps practices and CI/CD across engineering workflows.
- Define and uphold best-in-class standards for AI integration, from data pipelines through model deployment and monitoring.
- Build and lead a high-performing, globally distributed engineering organization, raising the bar on technical excellence, velocity, and reliability.
- Partner with product, analytics, and agency teams to ensure infrastructure and standards translate into faster, higher-quality outcomes.
What You'll Bring
- 20+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or platform engineering, including senior leadership of global or distributed engineering teams.
- Deep expertise in modern data infrastructure, cloud platforms, and AI/ML engineering, with hands-on command of scalable pipeline and platform design.
- Proven success establishing data taxonomies, standards, and governance frameworks across complex, multi-domain environments.
- Experience modernizing engineering practices toward automation, agile delivery, and AI-assisted development.
- Strong understanding of marketing and media data domains — creative, CX/site, CRM, audience, and media — ideally within automotive, broader industry, or agency/media agency contexts.
- Track record of integrating AI responsibly and at scale, with fluency in MLOps, DataOps, and data governance.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills at the executive level.
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.
Engineering Director Job Roles in Michigan
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Search Engineering Director Jobs in MichiganEngineering Director Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for engineering directors in Michigan?
Michigan's automotive and technology sectors include some of the most active visa sponsors for engineering director roles. Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Stellantis, Bosch, Aptiv, and Magna International have all filed H-1B visa petitions for senior engineering positions in recent years. Large tech employers with Michigan offices, including Google and Microsoft, also sponsor at the director level, though automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers represent the largest share of sponsorships in this state.
Which visa types are most common for engineering director roles in Michigan?
The H-1B is the most common visa category for engineering directors in Michigan, as these roles typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific engineering discipline, meeting the specialty occupation standard. Candidates with extraordinary recognition in their field may qualify for the O-1A. Senior professionals transferring within a multinational corporation, such as from a German or Japanese automotive parent company, often come through on L-1A intracompany transferee visas instead.
Which cities in Michigan have the most engineering director sponsorship jobs?
Metro Detroit, including Dearborn, Auburn Hills, and Troy, concentrates the highest volume of engineering director sponsorship activity given the headquarters presence of Ford, GM, and Stellantis along with their dense Tier 1 supplier networks. Ann Arbor is a secondary hub with a strong mix of automotive R&D, University of Michigan spinouts, and technology firms. Grand Rapids sees smaller but steady demand, particularly in medical device and advanced manufacturing engineering leadership.
How to find engineering director visa sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it straightforward to search for engineering director roles across Michigan without sorting through positions that don't offer sponsorship. You can narrow results by location to focus on metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, or Grand Rapids. Because engineering director positions are senior and competitive, reviewing active listings on Migrate Mate regularly gives you a clear picture of which employers are actively hiring and sponsoring at this level.
Are there any Michigan-specific considerations for engineering directors seeking visa sponsorship?
Michigan's prevailing wage requirements for H-1B sponsorship reflect the high seniority of engineering director roles, so employers must certify that the offered compensation meets Department of Labor wage levels for this occupation in the relevant metro area. The state's strong university pipeline, particularly through University of Michigan and Michigan State, means employers are accustomed to sponsoring engineering talent. Candidates in automotive software and electrification are seeing particularly active hiring as OEMs accelerate their EV development programs.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored engineering director jobs in Michigan?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.