Defect Issues Manager - Process Optimization

Lead the transformation and optimization of software defect management across the STLA Brain platform while driving defect resolution operations, capacity management, and software baseline quality. This role is responsible for the end-to-end operational management of defect resolution activities, ensuring defects are effectively triaged, prioritized, planned, tracked, and resolved across engineering teams. The position will also revisit, streamline, and continuously improve the defect management process to increase efficiency, predictability, and alignment with software roadmap and PI Planning objectives. The role ensures defect remediation activities are prioritized, adequately staffed, and integrated into software release planning, requirements baselines, and quality objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive the day-to-day defect resolution operation, ensuring timely closure of defects, removal of blockers, coordination across engineering teams, and adherence to defect resolution targets and release commitments.
• Assess, redesign, and optimize the defect management process to improve efficiency, transparency, prioritization, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Drive defect triage, prioritization, urgency assessment, and resolution planning.
• Develop defect inflow forecasts and capacity assessments across engineering teams.
• Balance defect resolution activities with new software content and feature development.
• Ensure defect remediation plans are incorporated into software requirements baselines and release roadmaps.
• Partner closely with TPMs to integrate defect forecasts and quality objectives into PI Planning.
• Monitor defect trends, risks, and resolution performance through metrics and dashboards.
• Establish KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defect cycle times and increase resolution effectiveness.
• Provide executive visibility on defect health, resource needs, process effectiveness, and release readiness.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in software development, software architecture, requirements management, technical program management, software quality, or process optimization.
• Strong understanding of Agile/SAFe development methodologies and PI Planning.
• Experience with defect tracking and requirements management tools (Jira, RTC, Azure DevOps, Polarion, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience leading process improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong analytical, planning, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Automotive software platform experience is highly desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• AUTOSAR, Linux, or middleware platforms.
• Software quality management, technical debt management, release planning, and process optimization.
• Functional Safety (ISO 26262) awareness is a plus.

Our Benefits — Designed With You In Mind

Comprehensive Health & Well-being Coverage

From your very first day, you’ll have access to medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage — ensuring you and your family stay healthy and protected. Also, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support for personal and professional challenges, always ready when you need it.

Family Building Benefit

We proudly support all paths to parenthood- including fertility and infertility treatments, adoption services, and gestational surrogacy.

Generous Paid Time Off

We believe in work-life balance. That’s why we offer: 17+ paid holidays, including shut-down from December 24th through New Years Day every year. Vacation, float & wellbeing days, sick time and fully paid parental leave when your family needs you most.

Competitive Retirement Savings Plans

We Help You Plan For The Future With

• An employer match on contributions to your 401k, Roth, and Catch-Up plans
• An employer contribution, even if you don’t contribute

Income Protection & Insurance Options

Benefit from both employer-provided and voluntary plan offerings, including life insurance, group accident, critical illness, etc. - supporting the needs of you and your family and ensuring peace of mind.

Company Vehicle Lease Program

Eligible employees and their immediate families can participate in the company vehicle lease program, providing access to Stellantis vehicles with insurance, maintenance, and unlimited miles included. Plus, take advantage of exclusive discounts on Stellantis products.

Support for Your Growth and Giving Back

We believe in investing in your future and your passions:

• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan refinancing programs
• 18 paid volunteer hours each year to make a difference in your community

And so much more!

When you join us, you’re not just building a career — you’re joining a company that supports you, inside and outside of work.

At Stellantis, we assess candidates based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome applications from all people without regard to sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any characteristic protected by law. We believe that diverse teams reflect our identity as a global company, enabling us to better address the evolving needs of our customers and care for our future.

EOE / Disability / Veteran