Product Manager

Our Mission:

Driving technology always feels old. Not by a little bit. We believe vehicles can be a thousand times smarter, safer, and more connected to the world around us, and our mission is to see it happen. In 2019, we joined forces with Honda as their first startup acquisition, and now we’re expanding our vision into building the future of connected vehicles for millions of people around the world.

Why Drivemode:

Join Drivemode for an exciting startup environment and a vibrant culture that combines impactful work, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits. By becoming a part of our team, you'll contribute to a crucial mission that revolutionizes the way people engage with vehicles, addressing both business needs and the world's environmental challenges. This presents an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and drive Honda's success in the automotive market.

About the role

Drivemode is seeking a visionary Product Manager to lead the development and execution of world-class connected services at our Tokyo office. This role is strategically critical to positioning Honda as a global leader in the software-defined vehicle (SDV) revolution, focusing on defining and building the next generation of mobile experiences for future Honda vehicles. As a key member of our global product organization, you will bridge the gap between user needs and complex vehicle technology, shaping the future of mobility at one of the world's most iconic automotive brands.

What You Will Do:

• Define and Execute Product Strategy: Develop and own the product vision and roadmap for core connected features, ensuring direct alignment with Honda's broader strategic goals for software-defined vehicles.
• Drive Customer-Centric Innovation: Leverage deep data analysis, user research, and market insights to design intuitive and delightful mobile application experiences in collaboration with UX and business stakeholders.
• Connected Service Requirements Definition: Translate complex user and business requirements into technical data flows and system requirements, specifically utilizing vehicle data and APIs for mobile functions by working with Drivemode teams and various Honda vehicle and IT divisions.
• Strategic Global Alignment: Collaborate with stakeholders across Honda and Drivemode globally to align priorities and expectations, with occasional travel to regional offices as required.

What We Are Looking For:

• Experience: 8+ years of software product management experience, with a proven track record of delivering successful end-user facing software products. A mix of experience in both large corporations (or IT consultancies) and startups is highly preferred.
• Industry Expertise: Foundational technical understanding of vehicle architecture, embedded software, cloud services, and network communication protocols and/or mobile apps. Knowledge of automotive development practices like ASPICE is a plus.
• Driving Complex Projects: Expertise in requirement definition and project management for complex products involving multiple components and large-scale stakeholder environments.
• Analytical & Strategic: Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to balance long-term vision with short-term execution, and between UX/ business needs and technical constraints to drive innovative results.
• Bilingual Proficiency: Native-level fluency in spoken and written Japanese and business-level English are required for effective collaboration.
• Passion for Mobility: A strong interest in the future of transportation, electric vehicles, and software-defined vehicles. Knowledge of automotive development practices like ASPICE is a plus..