Systems Lead UX (f/m/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Systems Lead UX (f/m/d)

Company: Aptiv

Location: Wuppertal, Germany

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Systems Engineering / Solution Architecture

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive new business wins by leveraging platform assets and reusable solutions to meet customer requirements.

• Serve as a technical authority during RFI/RFQ activities, securing technical content agreement and leading technical negotiations.

• Ensure successful project initiation through effective platform adaptation and definition of technical solution architectures.

• Partner with regional teams and stakeholders to proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities in the automotive technology sector.

• Manage the transition from pursuit to development to delivery by creating comprehensive technical documentation and conducting knowledge transfer sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Aptiv's "Technical Pursuits" team, a strategic function focused on business development and pre-sales technical engagement. While the title includes "UX" (User Experience), the core responsibilities and required background heavily lean into Systems Engineering and Solution Architecture within the automotive technology domain. The emphasis is on technical pre-sales, solution design, and ensuring successful project handoffs, rather than direct user interface design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Business Development & Customer Engagement: Proactively partner with regional teams to identify and pursue new business opportunities, acting as a technical authority to understand customer architecture and technology needs through deep-dive sessions.

• Technical Solution Development: Analyze customer requirements, ensuring their approval with all stakeholders, and create compelling technical proposals that articulate the solution approach, differentiators, and value proposition.

• Platform Adaptation & Solution Architecture: Evaluate existing platform capabilities against customer requirements to conduct fit/gap analyses, determine necessary adaptations, and define robust technical solution architectures that balance needs with optimal platform utilization.

• Project Transition & Initialization: Ensure smooth project transitions by creating comprehensive technical documentation, conducting knowledge transfer sessions with implementation teams, and establishing technical governance and architectural guardrails for new projects.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with Regional Engineering, Product Management, and Delivery teams, providing crucial feedback on market needs to platform teams and ensuring alignment between customer expectations and solution design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic business development and deep technical expertise. The role requires not only defining technical solutions but also actively engaging in the sales pursuit process, influencing business wins, and ensuring the technical feasibility and successful adoption of Aptiv's platform assets for new customer projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.

Experience: 8+ years of experience in systems engineering, solution architecture, or similar technical roles within the automotive technology sector.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in Systems Engineering and Solution Architecture, with a strong understanding of automotive technologies (e.g., e-mobility, autonomous driving, connectivity, safety systems).

• Demonstrated ability in RFI/RFQ response development and technical proposal writing, effectively articulating complex technical solutions.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain intricate technical concepts to diverse audiences, including customers, internal engineering teams, and management.

• Experience in analyzing customer requirements, performing fit/gap analyses, and defining technical solution architectures.

• Strong understanding of platform adaptation and the ability to identify necessary modifications to meet specific customer needs.

• Experience in leading technical discussions and negotiations with customers and internal stakeholders.

• Proficiency in creating technical documentation and conducting knowledge transfer sessions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with system engineering estimations (EFIT) and ensuring their reliability.

• Knowledge of technical governance and architectural guardrails.

• Familiarity with continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) principles in a systems context.

• Experience working with global OEMs.

• Fluency in German, in addition to English.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description specifies "8+ years", Aptiv's AI analysis indicates "10+" years of experience, suggesting a preference for candidates with more extensive, senior-level experience in the specified domains. The "UX" in the title is likely a legacy or internal naming convention, as the core requirements are firmly rooted in systems engineering and solution architecture, not direct UX design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 significant projects where you were instrumental in defining and architecting complex technical solutions, preferably in the automotive or related technology sectors.

• Provide clear examples of your contribution to winning new business through RFI/RFQ responses or technical proposal development, highlighting your role in securing technical content.

• Demonstrate your ability to adapt existing platforms or reusable solutions to meet unique customer requirements, including specific examples of fit/gap analysis and proposed adaptations.

• Include documentation examples (sanitized if necessary) such as solution architecture diagrams, technical proposal excerpts, or requirement analysis summaries that illustrate your process and impact.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of structured requirement analysis and approval processes, ensuring stakeholder alignment.

• Examples of creating comprehensive technical documentation for RFI/RFQ responses and project handoffs.

• Documentation of solution architecture design, including rationale for choices and consideration of platform adaptation.

• Records of knowledge transfer sessions conducted for implementation teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of systems engineering and solution architecture skills in a business development context is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process for requirement analysis, solution design, platform adaptation, and project transition, backed by concrete examples.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the role's seniority (8+ years experience, Lead Systems Engineer), location (Wuppertal, Germany), and industry (Automotive Technology), a competitive salary range for a Systems Lead UX (f/m/d) in Germany would typically fall between €75,000 and €105,000 gross per year. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar technical leadership roles in Germany, considering the cost of living in North Rhine-Westphalia and Aptiv's position as a global automotive supplier.

Benefits:

• Attractive compensation package.

• 30 days of vacation per year.

• Overtime compensation.

• Secure, permanent employment relationship.

• Opportunities for continuous internal and international development.

• Access to internal and external training, coaching, and certifications for ongoing education.

• Recognition for innovation and excellence.

• Highly international and collegial work environment with collaboration among technical experts.

• Opportunity to get involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.

• Active role in shaping the future of mobility (e-mobility, autonomous driving) in partnership with global OEMs.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with provisions for overtime compensation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical German compensation for similar roles and experience levels. Actual compensation will be determined by Aptiv based on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and performance during the interview process. The listed benefits are comprehensive and reflect Aptiv's commitment to employee development and well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Technology / Mobility Solutions. Aptiv is a global technology company that develops safer, greener, and more connected solutions for the mobility industry, focusing on advanced safety systems, electrification, and connectivity. They work closely with nearly all global OEMs, positioning them at the forefront of industry advancements like e-mobility and autonomous driving.

Company Size: Aptiv is a large, publicly traded company with thousands of employees worldwide, indicated by its broad operational reach and significant market presence. This size suggests a structured environment with ample resources and established processes, while also offering opportunities for global collaboration and career advancement.

Founded: Aptiv was formed in 2017 following the Delphi Automotive spin-off, building on a long history of innovation in automotive technology. This legacy provides a foundation of expertise and market understanding, while the more recent formation as Aptiv signifies a forward-looking approach focused on future mobility trends.

Team Structure: The role is part of a "newly formed Technical Pursuits team." This implies a dynamic, agile team structure focused on strategic business development and pre-sales technical engagement. The team likely works closely with regional engineering, product management, and delivery teams, suggesting a matrixed reporting structure where individuals collaborate across different functional groups to achieve project goals.

Methodology: The team's methodology is centered on driving new business wins through leveraging platform assets and reusable solutions. This involves proactive customer engagement, in-depth technical analysis (RFI/RFQ), solution architecture design, platform adaptation, and ensuring smooth project transitions. Emphasis is placed on technical authority, reliable estimations (EFIT), and securing technical content agreement.

Company Website: https://www.aptiv.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Technical Pursuits" team is a strategic initiative, suggesting that Aptiv is actively investing in growing its market share and securing future projects by strengthening its pre-sales technical capabilities. This role is critical in bridging the gap between customer needs and Aptiv's technological offerings.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Lead Systems Engineer," indicating a senior individual contributor or technical leadership track. It requires a deep understanding of systems engineering principles, solution architecture, and a proven track record of successfully translating customer needs into technical proposals and winning business. The "Lead" aspect implies a responsibility for technical guidance, mentorship within the team, and serving as a primary technical point of contact for pursuits.

Reporting Structure: The role is part of the "Technical Pursuits" team and will work closely with "Regional Engineering, Product Management, and Delivery teams." While direct reporting lines are not specified, it suggests a collaborative structure where the Systems Lead UX will report to a manager within the Technical Pursuits function and will interact extensively with various cross-functional teams, potentially reporting to different leads for project-specific endeavors.

Operations Impact: The Systems Lead UX has a direct and significant impact on Aptiv's revenue and business growth. By securing new business wins through effective technical proposals and solution architectures, this role is instrumental in driving the adoption of Aptiv's advanced mobility solutions. Their ability to accurately assess requirements, propose viable solutions, and ensure successful project initiation directly influences the company's market position and financial performance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of automotive technology such as e-mobility, autonomous driving, or advanced safety systems, potentially leading to Principal Engineer or Chief Architect roles.

• Leadership Development: Transition into management roles within the Technical Pursuits team or other engineering functions, leading larger teams or strategic initiatives.

• Business Development Acumen: Further develop skills in sales engineering, strategic account management, and business strategy, potentially moving into roles with broader commercial responsibilities.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Gain exposure to product management, program management, and delivery leadership, opening doors to diverse career paths within Aptiv's global organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title and the strategic nature of the "Technical Pursuits" team suggest that Aptiv views this role as a key contributor to their future growth. Career progression can be expected along both deep technical specialization and broader leadership/business development paths.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the "Wuppertal Tech Ctr." in Germany, indicating a dedicated technology and engineering hub. This suggests a professional, modern office environment designed for technical collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This location is a significant industrial and technological center in Germany, offering good connectivity and access to a skilled workforce.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a highly collaborative workspace, fostering interaction with diverse engineering disciplines, product managers, and sales teams. The "Technical Pursuits" team structure emphasizes cross-functional teamwork.

• Tools and Technology: Access to state-of-the-art tools and technologies relevant to automotive systems engineering, solution architecture, and project management will be available.

• Innovation Focus: The environment is geared towards innovation, with opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge mobility solutions like e-mobility and autonomous driving.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, with the benefit of overtime compensation. This structure allows for focused workdays while acknowledging the potential need for extended hours during critical RFI/RFQ periods or project transitions. Flexibility may be present, but the primary mode is on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aptiv's Wuppertal Tech Center likely serves as a hub for innovation and engineering excellence. The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of face-to-face collaboration, client interactions, and team synergy in this technically demanding role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect multiple rounds of technical interviews focusing on systems engineering principles, solution architecture design, RFI/RFQ process, technical proposal development, and experience with automotive technologies. These may involve case studies or problem-solving exercises.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to review your submitted portfolio. Be prepared to walk through your most relevant projects, explaining your role, the challenges faced, the solutions you designed, and the outcomes achieved, particularly focusing on business wins and technical leadership.

• Cross-Functional/Managerial Interview: Interviews with hiring managers and potential cross-functional collaborators (e.g., from Product Management or Delivery) to assess leadership potential, collaboration style, and strategic thinking.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final interview with a senior leader to confirm fit and discuss overall contribution.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project presented, clearly articulate your specific contributions and the measurable impact (e.g., secured business, efficiency gains, technical feasibility confirmed). Use metrics wherever possible.

• Showcase Process: Detail your approach to requirement analysis, solution architecture, platform adaptation, and stakeholder management. Explain how you arrived at your solutions.

• Highlight Business Acumen: Emphasize your role in securing new business, understanding customer needs, and articulating value propositions. This is key for a "Pursuits" team role.

• Technical Depth: Be ready to dive deep into technical details of your proposed solutions, demonstrating a strong grasp of systems engineering and architectural design principles.

• Tailor to Aptiv: Research Aptiv's current technology focus (e-mobility, autonomous driving, safety, connectivity) and tailor your examples to demonstrate relevant experience and understanding.

Challenge Preparation:

• RFI/RFQ Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical RFI/RFQ scenario where you might be asked to outline your approach to responding to a customer request, including requirement analysis, solution ideation, and proposal structuring.

• Solution Design Exercise: A common exercise might involve designing a high-level solution architecture for a given automotive technology challenge, requiring you to consider trade-offs, platform capabilities, and customer requirements.

• Communication & Negotiation: Practice articulating complex technical concepts concisely and persuasively, and be ready to discuss how you would handle technical negotiations with customers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Technical Pursuits" means that interviewers will be looking for candidates who can not only design technically sound solutions but also effectively "sell" those solutions and contribute directly to business development objectives. A strong, well-curated portfolio is essential for demonstrating this capability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Requirements Management Tools: Tools like IBM DOORS, Jama Connect, or similar for capturing, analyzing, and managing complex customer and system requirements.

• Modeling & Simulation Tools: Potentially tools like MATLAB/Simulink, PSpice, or specific automotive system modeling platforms for system design, analysis, and simulation.

• Project Management & Collaboration: Tools such as Jira, Confluence, Microsoft Project, or similar for project tracking, documentation, and team collaboration.

• Diagramming Tools: Visio, Lucidchart, or draw.io for creating architecture diagrams, flowcharts, and technical documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• System Estimation Tools: Potentially internal tools or methodologies for generating System Engineering Estimations (EFIT).

• Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in analyzing data related to project feasibility, resource estimation, and performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) from a business development perspective, understanding how technical pursuits integrate with sales pipelines.

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack for daily communication and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role's nature in systems engineering and solution architecture within a large tech company implies proficiency with standard industry tools for requirements management, system modeling, project tracking, and documentation. The ability to "leverage platform assets and reusable solutions" suggests familiarity with how these are cataloged and managed.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A core value at Aptiv, encouraging the pursuit of novel solutions for future mobility challenges like e-mobility and autonomous driving.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork, working closely with diverse engineering disciplines, product teams, and sales.

• Excellence: A commitment to high standards in technical solutions, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Aptiv recognizes innovation and excellence.

• Safety: A paramount value, aiming for zero fatalities, zero injuries, and zero accidents in transportation. This influences the design and engineering approach.

• Integrity: Operating with a strong ethical foundation in all business dealings and technical decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with regional engineering, product management, and delivery teams, fostering an integrated approach to business development and project execution.

• Stakeholder Management: Effective communication and negotiation skills are vital for managing expectations and aligning diverse stakeholders, from customers to internal technical experts.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, lessons learned, and technical insights to continuously improve processes and solutions.

• Proactive Engagement: The "Technical Pursuits" team operates proactively, engaging with customers and internal teams to identify opportunities and shape technical roadmaps.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aptiv's stated values, particularly around innovation, safety, and collaboration, are highly relevant to this role. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they embody these values in their professional conduct and decision-making, especially within the context of developing advanced mobility technologies.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Customer Needs with Platform Capabilities: Effectively translating unique customer requirements into technical solutions that leverage existing platforms while identifying and justifying necessary adaptations.

• Technical Proposal Complexity: Developing comprehensive, accurate, and persuasive technical proposals under tight RFI/RFQ deadlines, often involving complex, multi-disciplinary automotive systems.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring alignment and buy-in from various internal teams (engineering, product, sales) and external stakeholders (customers, OEMs) throughout the pursuit process.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying abreast of the fast-paced advancements in automotive technology (e.g., AI, autonomous driving, electrification) to ensure solutions are cutting-edge and competitive.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Training: Access to specialized training and certifications in areas like autonomous systems, e-mobility, cybersecurity, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

• Business Development & Sales Skills: Opportunities to enhance skills in technical sales, negotiation, strategic account management, and proposal strategy.

• Leadership Development Programs: Potential to participate in leadership programs designed to cultivate future technical leaders and managers within Aptiv.

• Exposure to Global OEMs: Gaining deep insights into the strategic technology roadmaps and needs of major global automotive manufacturers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a fast-paced, high-stakes role in the automotive technology sector. Aptiv's commitment to employee development suggests that support will be available to help individuals overcome these challenges and grow their careers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for analyzing a complex customer requirement set for an RFI/RFQ. What are the key steps you take to ensure all needs are captured and understood?" (Focus on structured requirement analysis, stakeholder engagement, and documentation.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to adapt an existing platform or solution to meet a unique customer need. What was your approach, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, platform adaptation skills, and impact.)

• "How do you ensure technical proposals accurately reflect the capabilities and limitations of a proposed solution, while also presenting a compelling value proposition?" (Highlight proposal writing skills, technical accuracy, and business acumen.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Aptiv, what do you see as our key strengths in the current automotive technology landscape, and how would you leverage them in your role?" (Demonstrate research and strategic thinking.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with diverse teams like product management, regional engineering, and delivery? Can you provide an example?" (Assess teamwork and cross-functional skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a clear structure: Challenge > Your Role/Solution > Process > Outcome/Impact.

• Quantify Achievements: Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the scale and success of your contributions (e.g., "secured €X million in new business," "reduced adaptation effort by Y%").

• Focus on Business Wins: Since this is a "Technical Pursuits" role, emphasize how your technical expertise directly contributed to winning new business.

• Highlight Technical Leadership: Showcase your ability to act as a technical authority, guide teams, and make critical architectural decisions.

• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your technical choices, the trade-offs you made, and how your solutions align with Aptiv's strategic goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely heavily scrutinize your ability to bridge the gap between technical design and business objectives. Candidates should prepare to articulate their contributions in terms of both technical rigor and commercial impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Aptiv's careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight your experience in Systems Engineering, Solution Architecture, RFI/RFQ response development, technical proposal writing, and business development within the automotive or related technology sectors. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that demonstrate your ability to analyze requirements, design solutions, adapt platforms, and contribute to winning new business. Prepare concise, quantifiable summaries for each.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice explaining your portfolio projects clearly and concisely, focusing on your specific contributions, the technical challenges, the solutions you implemented, and the business outcomes achieved. Be ready to discuss your process.

• Research Aptiv: Thoroughly understand Aptiv's mission, core technologies (e-mobility, autonomous driving, safety systems, connectivity), and recent news or achievements. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.