Spark Minda Hiring: Automotive Product Manager / Senior Manager – Vehicle Access System (Hinjewadi Phase-1, Pune)

Spark Minda, a leader in the automotive electronics domain, is looking for a highly skilled Automotive Product Manager / Senior Manager – Vehicle Access Systems to join the Product Management team at Hinjewadi Phase-1, Pune. This is an exceptional opportunity for professionals with strong techno-commercial, product strategy, and automotive electronics experience.

🔷 Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and self-driven Product Manager / Senior Manager with 8 to 14 years of experience in automotive electronics or vehicle access systems. The ideal candidate will play a key role in driving product strategy, supporting customer interactions, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring profitable and competitive product execution.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

Pre-Quotation & Customer Engagement

• Support Key Account Managers in pre-quotation activities including technical qualification, feature–benefit mapping, and RFQ alignment

• Act as the voice of the customer throughout the Design & Commercial (D&C) stages

• Ensure product requirements are accurately captured, evaluated, and translated into project decisions

Product Strategy & Market Intelligence

• Develop product roadmap using customer insights, regulatory requirements, and emerging market trends

• Conduct detailed competitive benchmarking, feature comparisons, and technology gap analysis

• Provide guidance to costing teams with pricing benchmarks and market-driven inputs

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Support Engineering Change Note (ECN) discussions with engineering and design teams

• Collaborate with CFT teams to ensure timely preparation and submission of RFQs and quotations

• Align with internal stakeholders to ensure robust product feasibility and delivery timelines

🧠 Required Competencies

Behavioral Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Leadership qualities with strong self-motivation

• Ability to work across cross-functional teams effectively

• Strong analytical and decision-making ability

Functional Competencies

• Techno-commercial understanding of automotive electronics

• Hands-on experience in Product Management / Product Owner roles

• Understanding of BOM, costing, and pricing

• Basic financial and commercial analysis skills

🔌 Preferred Product Exposure

Candidates with experience in the following domains will have a strong advantage:

• Automotive Electronics

• Vehicle Access Systems

  • Advanced Keys

  • Keyless Entry Systems

  • Bluetooth / Mobile-based Access Solutions

🔌 Preferred Skill Set

• Product Management

• Product Strategy

• Techno-Commercial Expertise

• Techno-Sales

• Product Ownership and Roadmap Planning

💼 Compensation & Benefits 

The compensation for this role is competitive and aligned with industry benchmarks for mid to senior-level product management positions.
Final CTC will depend on:

• Experience level (8–14 years)

• Technical and functional expertise in automotive electronics

• Product ownership and customer-facing capabilities

• Overall suitability for the role and internal structures

Spark Minda offers a performance-driven work culture, attractive benefits, and long-term career growth opportunities.

📩 How to Apply

Interested candidates can share their updated resume at:
📧 rakesh.rai@mindacorporation.com

Top 10 Interview Questions & Detailed Answers (Automotive Product Manager – Vehicle Access System)

1. Can you explain the core components of a Vehicle Access System and how they interact?

Answer:

A Vehicle Access System (VAS) typically includes components such as RF Key Fob, Immobilizer, BCM (Body Control Module), RF Antenna, LF Antenna, Door Lock Actuators, and software algorithms for encryption/authentication.

Interaction flow:

1. User presses button / passive entry sensor detects signal

2. LF antenna triggers key response

3. Key fob transmits encrypted RF signal

4. BCM validates the rolling code / crypto algorithm

5. Immobilizer validates engine start authorization

6. Door lock/unlock or engine start is executed

In advanced systems like PEPS, communication involves near-field authentication + RF confirmation.
Bluetooth systems work via mobile app authorization, BLE handshake, and cloud token validation.

2. How do you approach pre-quotation activities for an RFQ from an OEM?

Answer:

Pre-quotation involves a structured approach:

1. Understand Customer Technical Needs

   • Study RFQ, DVP, DFMEA, functional specs, and design constraints.

2. Feasibility Assessment

   • Validate compatibility with existing platform / future roadmap.

3. Cost and BOM Alignment

   • Work with engineering and costing teams for realistic BOM.

4. Risk Assessment

   • Highlight timing risks, design gaps, or supplier constraints.

5. Value Proposition

   • Identify technical advantages, cost benefits, differentiation.

6. Pricing Strategy

   • Benchmark competitors, calculate target price, and finalize margin.

7. Customer Discussion

   • Present clarifications, alternatives, and final offer strategy.

This process ensures both customer alignment and profitability.

3. What KPIs do you track as a Product Manager for an Automotive Electronic product?

Answer:

Key KPIs include:

• Product profitability & contribution margin

• Project milestone adherence (SOP/PPAP timelines)

• RFQ win ratio

• ECN closure time

• Customer satisfaction score

• Product cost reduction achievements

• Defects per million (DPM)

• Market share and feature penetration

These KPIs track technical excellence, financial health, and customer value.

4. How do you perform competitive benchmarking for Vehicle Access Systems?

Answer:

Benchmarking includes:

1. Technical Benchmarking

   • Frequency band (315/433 MHz)

   • Encryption standards (AES, Rolling Code)

   • Range performance

   • BLE protocol efficiency

   • Antenna placement and power consumption

2. Cost Benchmarking

   • BOM cost

   • Supplier pricing

   • Feature bundles

3. Market Benchmarking

   • OEM adoption trends

   • Regulations on safety and security

   • Competitors: Valeo, Hella, Continental, Minda, Pricol, Tokai Rika

Outcome: Identify opportunities for differentiation through range improvement, battery life, security algorithms, or value engineering.

5. How do you handle customer escalations during the Development & Commercialization (D&C) phase?

Answer:

My escalation handling approach:

1. Listen & Understand the issue clearly from OEM.

2. Data Collection using 5W1H, RCA inputs, defect logs.

3. Cross-Functional Engagement (Design, Hardware, Software, Testing).

4. Immediate Containment (quick fixes/temporary action).

5. Long-Term Solution through structured 8D or FMEA-based correction.

6. Transparent Communication with OEM, ensuring regular updates.

7. Verification & Validation before closure.

Objective is to maintain trust while ensuring issue-free product launch.

6. Explain how you support ECN processes.

Answer:

Support includes:

• Reviewing impact of ECN on cost, functionality, tooling, and timing

• Aligning with CFT teams for feasibility

• Updating BOM and technical documentation

• Preparing revised quotations

• Updating OEM on price/timeline impacts

• Ensuring proper validation before implementation

This ensures smooth change management without affecting SOP timelines.

7. What is your approach to defining a Product Roadmap for Vehicle Access Systems?

Answer:

Steps:

1. Market Trends – Passive entry, BLE, Digital Key 3.0

2. Customer Feedback + Pain Points

3. Technology Roadmap – hardware miniaturization, battery optimization

4. Regulatory Compliance – data security, cybersecurity mandates

5. Cost Roadmap – VA/VE opportunities

6. Platform Standardization – modular designs for scalability

The roadmap aligns business goals with future customer needs.

8. Describe a scenario where you improved product cost or margins.

Answer:

Example:

• Identified BLE module cost higher than market

• Re-benchmarked with alternate suppliers

• Proposed PCB redesign to reduce antenna material cost

• Negotiated volume-based pricing

• Achieved 12–15% BOM cost reduction, improving program margin

This demonstrates techno-commercial decision-making.

9. How do you ensure RFQ submissions are on time and error-free?

Answer:

• Prepare RFQ tracker with clear ownership (Engineering, Costing, SCM, Validation)

• Weekly touchpoints with CFT

• Pre-validation of costing sheets

• Review tech specs against customer RFQ

• Internal sign-off from Product Head

• Submit with supporting documents (layout, assumptions, risks, timing plan)

Accuracy + Timeliness = Higher RFQ win rate.

10. What qualities make a successful Product Manager in Automotive Electronics?

Answer:

• Strong communication & customer handling

• Techno-commercial thinking

• Ability to translate market needs into product specs

• Knowledge of hardware, software, testing, and BOM

• Quick decision-making

• Strong analytical skills for cost and pricing

• Leadership in cross-functional coordination

These qualities ensure both technical excellence and business success.