Director, Test Architecture

The Role

The DirectorTest Architectureis asenior individual contributorleadershiproleresponsible for defining thefuture technicaldirection ofVerification & Validation test architecture. This role will serve as the principal technical authority for AI-Assisted and AI-Led testing innovation test framework architecture and next-generation V&V operating models across on-board and off-board software products.

Working through technical influence rather than direct people management this person will architect scalable test frameworks reusable automation assets AI-assisted test design patterns intelligent regression strategies and closed-loop analytics that transform V&V from a reactive execution function into a predictive automation-first data-driven software first engineering capability.

The ideal candidate is self-driven deeply technical and future-facingable to look beyond immediate process gaps and define how Ford should model optimize and scale testing operations around AI. This includes leading AI-Assisted value stream mapping for human-in-the-loop analysis and AI-Led operating-model design for autonomous optimization identifying high-value intervention points across the V&V lifecycle and translating emerging AI/ML capabilities into practical architecture standards governance and measurable quality outcomes.

This role will partner across V&V software engineering systems engineering DevSecOps data analytics simulation lab infrastructure and product teams to establish a common AI-Led test architecture that improves coverage cycle time defect detection effectiveness traceability reuse and release confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• AI Test Architecture Leadership: Define and own the reference architecture for AI-Assisted and AI-Led V&V test frameworks including reusable patterns common libraries data interfaces orchestration models reporting integration and governance standards.

• Future-State V&V Operating Model: Shape how Ford models testing operations around AI moving beyond tactical automation fixes to a predictive closed-loop intelligence-driven V&V capability.

• AI-Assisted Value Stream Mapping and AI-Led Optimization: Lead technical value stream mapping across requirements test design test planning execution defect triage analytics and release readiness to identify where AI-Assisted workflows can augment engineering decisions and AI-Led capabilities can automate repeatable data-driven interventions to reduce waste improve flow and increase engineering leverage.

• Test Framework Modernization: Architect scalable frameworks for test automation AI-assisted Gherkin authoring automated test code generation smart regression selection failure pattern detection coverage heat maps and reusable test assets.

• Technical Strategy & Roadmap: Develop multi-year technical roadmaps for AI-Assisted and AI-Led V&V innovation including pilots reference implementations adoption milestones KPI targets and convergence plans across teams and toolchains.

• Cross-Functional Technical Influence: Lead through influence across V&V software engineering systems engineering DevSecOps simulation lab infrastructure analytics and product teams to drive adoption of common technical standards without relying on direct reporting authority.

• Data Analytics & Closed-Loop Intelligence: Define how test data defect data requirements traceability execution evidence and release metrics should be structured and connected to enable AI-Assisted insights AI-Led closed-loop recommendations and measurable improvements in quality outcomes.

• Governance Standards & Reuse: Establish technical standards for framework design repository structure data quality model usage evidence capture traceability configuration management security and responsible AI practices within V&V.

• Innovation Incubation: Identify prototype and scale high-impact AI-Assisted and AI-Led use cases such as autonomous test exploration requirements-to-test generation anomaly detection root-cause assistance test optimization and predictive release readiness.

• Executive Technical Communication: Translate complex AI data and test architecture concepts into clear technical recommendations business cases implementation plans and leadership-ready narratives tied to quality speed cost and risk reduction.

What Youll Bring (Qualifications)

Must-Have Qualifications:

• Senior Leadership Experience:Proven experience at a Director or senior leadership level within software software architecture test management systems integration software quality or automotive product development.
• Global Team Leadership:Demonstrated ability to lead mentor and inspire global teams of managers and technical leaders establish operating models and drive execution across complex vehicle programs and software release plans.
• Modern Tool Proficiency:Experience with enterprise lifecycle and test management tools such as Jira Test Case Management Program Management dashboards KPI reporting and end-to-end traceability methodologies.
• Executive Communication:Exceptional communication and presentation skills with a track record of articulating complex technical risks bottlenecks status and recommendations clearly to senior executives and external partners.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications:

• V&V Expertise:Strong deep knowledge of test planning test execution governance defect management risk mitigation software release readiness milestone reviews and quality escalation processes.
• Advanced Testing Innovation:Experience integrating test automation AI-enabled testing methodologies process optimization and advanced data analytics into test management practices.

• Advanced Testing Innovation:Experience integrating test automation AI-Assisted testing methodologies AI-Led optimization patterns process optimization and advanced data analytics into test management practices.

Role Evaluation Criteria

• Communication:Requires executive-level communication skills to present highly technical data execution bottlenecks risk assessments and readiness status as clear actionable strategic updates to senior leadership chief reviewers and cross-functional forums.
• Discretion / Latitude:Exercises high latitude and decision-making authority over the global software test management strategy setting validation baselines gating software releases and determining the deployment of department budgets and supplier resources.
• Influence:Exerts broad influence across VV organizations software development teams program steering committees and quality forums to ensure digital integrity standards and robust validation protocols are prioritized.
• Impact:Directly impacts the quality reliability and security of Fords on-board and off-board digital products preventing software escapes and ensuring seamless vehicle launches.
• Problem Solving:Solves highly complex multi-variable engineering challenges related to defect tracking resource constraints system bottlenecks and software integration issues across global programs.
• Scope:Global oversight covering test planning and management across all designated vehicle platforms on-board/off-board software products and global program execution.
• Strategy:Drives the long-term roadmap for V&V tool modernization and engineering toolchain integration (e.g. Jira Test Case Management automated KPI reporting).
• Technical Expertise:Combines deep technical proficiency in modern software development methodologies (Agile SAFe) and toolchain environments.