Engineering Director

At Tenneco, we don’t follow industry standards; we set them, and we don’t settle for being best-in-class because we hustle to be better than best-in-class. Whether it’s our Core Values – radical candor, simplify, organizational velocity, tenacious execution and win – or our Get Stuff Done (GSD) mindset, we’re determined to become the most trusted partner and best manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry.

With a product portfolio as expansive as it is innovative, an obsessive commitment to quality and excellence, and a global presence, we’re all about getting stuff done, so we can win.

How do we make it happen? Through the Tenneco Way. Fueled by our Core Values, a winning mindset and a relentless commitment to excellence, the Tenneco Way is how we win. It’s what keeps Team Tenneco bold, driven, and unapologetically focused on pushing past limits and redefining success.

Here, you’ll work alongside a team of relentless problem-solvers who are committed to making a tangible impact. If you’re ready to break boundaries, deliver results, and enjoy the ride along the way, you’ll thrive here.

Want to learn more about who we are? Check out our website to discover the Tenneco Way

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Global Director, Product Engineering Friction & Brake Technologies, you’ll be a key leader on the Global Engineering Team, driving innovation and technical excellence across our product portfolio. You’ll lead a high-performing team of Chief Product Engineers and Product Engineers worldwide, setting strategy and ensuring the flawless development of next-generation friction, emission, and acoustics control solutions. Your leadership will shape both core and customer-specific product development, foster cross-functional collaboration, and ensure manufacturability, cycle-time, and cost targets are achieved through advanced VAVE activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Empower technical experts and test supervisors to make decisions and drive results.
• Define the global product strategy for OE/S in partnership with OE/S Engineering and lead core/new product development from concept to launch.
• Lead the global team of Chief Product and Laboratory Engineers—driving teamwork, accountability, and innovation across continents and disciplines.
• Guide customer-specific product development for OE/OES programs, ensuring compliance with customer specifications and success in new business wins.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME), Purchasing, and EHS to drive process development, NPI, material evaluation, and cost reduction.
• Embed rigorous program management discipline, ensuring every project meets technical, cost, and timing targets.
• Leverage advanced test engineering methodologies to assure accuracy, reliability, and discipline in problem-solving.
• Drive adherence to Tenneco’s values, policies, and procedures in all aspects of product engineering and development.
• Foster global teamwork, forecast and schedule work, and ensure the seamless integration of product, process, and customer needs.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree or PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering required.
• 10+ years of experience in friction and/or brake engineering within the automotive industry.
• Demonstrated management experience with a structured, experimental approach to product development.
• Deep expertise in friction material formulation, processing, and product innovation.
• Proven record of winning customer programs, delivering new products, and driving VAVE/cost targets to completion.
• Strong experience leading cross-functional, cross-national teams and collaborating globally.
• Outstanding communication skills—able to influence at both working and senior leadership levels.
• Highly computer literate, skilled at maintaining accurate records, and recognized by customers for technical credibility.

We don’t want average. We want exceptional. We want someone who’s hungry to build, unafraid to challenge, and bold enough to lead with empathy, speed, and precision. Sound like you? Let us know.  

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities