Fleet Operations Lead – Electric Vehicles (Automotive)

Job description

Join Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc. Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc. is a proud subsidiary of Sony Honda Mobility Inc., a 50/50 joint venture between Sony and Honda, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Our American headquarters in Culver City, California, established in March 2023, is at the forefront of bringing the innovative electric vehicle, AFEELA, to the US market. AFEELA embodies the essence of "FEEL," creating an interactive relationship where people and mobility connect through advanced sensing and network technologies. At Sony Honda Mobility of America, we are dedicated to moving people through innovative solutions inspired by diversity. Join us in shaping the future of mobility with creativity, technology, and a commitment to excellence. Apply now to make a difference! Position Summary The Fleet Operations Lead is responsible for end-to-end operational readiness, compliance, and performance of SHMA’s vehicle fleet. This includes pre-production vehicles, production vehicles, demo vehicles, and internal employee-use vehicles. This is a highly cross-functional, execution-focused leadership role. You will ensure that every vehicle in the fleet is safe, digitally enabled, insured, licensed, compliant, and operational across testing, storage, transportation, demonstrations, and employee use. You will partner closely with Engineering, IT, Customer Service, Quality, Legal, Finance, People Operations, and Retail/Studio Operations to build scalable, compliant, and efficient fleet processes as SHMA moves toward commercialization. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys building structure where none exists, and takes pride in operational ownership. Job Responsibilities **Fleet Maintenance & Vehicle Readiness** - Own fleet maintenance strategy across pre-production, production, demo, and employee-use vehicles - Oversee preventive maintenance, repairs, inspections, and vendor coordination - Partner with Engineering and IT to manage OTA software updates to ensure vehicles remain current, secure, and operational - Track maintenance schedules, issue resolution, and downtime metrics - Ensure vehicles are fully operational and presentation-ready for demos, testing, internal use, and events **Internal Employee Fleet Program Management** - Own end-to-end operations for SHMA’s internal employee vehicle fleet - Develop and enforce fleet usage policies, including eligibility, access controls, safety standards, and acceptable use - Coordinate employee onboarding and offboarding for fleet participation, including assignment, provisioning, and vehicle return - Partner with People Operations, Legal, and Finance to ensure compliance with labor, insurance, and risk policies - Monitor utilization, costs, and vehicle condition to optimize program performance **Payments, Accounts & Digital Services** - Manage fleet-related accounts and subscriptions including insurance, charging services, and connected vehicle applications - Oversee digital services subscriptions and integrations for fleet vehicles - Partner with Finance to manage renewals, budgeting, invoice tracking, and cost controls - Ensure accurate documentation and cost transparency across fleet operations **Fleet Compliance & Operational Controls** - Oversee vehicle licensing and registration, including manufacturer plates and standard plates - Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations across all fleet categories - Manage geofencing and vehicle location controls for testing, storage, transportation, and employee use - Establish operational standards, access protocols, and documentation requirements - Coordinate storage, transportation, and logistics for fleet vehicles **Cross-Functional Leadership & Process Development** - Serve as primary fleet operations point of contact across internal departments - Develop and maintain SOPs, policies, reporting frameworks, and performance metrics - Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and scale fleet processes - Support operational readiness as AFEELA transitions into full commercialization Required Qualifications for Position - 6+ years of experience in fleet operations, vehicle operations, mobility operations, or automotive operations - Hands-on experience managing vehicle maintenance, vendors, and logistics - Strong understanding of licensing, registration, insurance, and regulatory compliance - Experience developing operational processes and controls - Proven ability to work cross-functionally in fast-paced or growth-stage environments - Strong ownership mindset with high attention to detail - Excellent communication and organizational skills Preferred Qualifications for Position - Experience supporting EV fleets or connected vehicle programs - Familiarity with OTA systems, telematics, or geofencing technologies - Experience managing demo fleets, test fleets, or employee vehicle programs - Background in automotive OEM or startup mobility environments - Experience working within global or matrixed organizations Additional Details - **Work Arrangement:** Primarily on-site in Torrance, CA - **Travel Requirements:** Approximately 20% travel, including support for storage facilities, retail locations, events, and operational needs - **Visa Sponsorship:** Not available for this position Benefits - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits - Flexible Working Policy - Paid parental leave - 401k Program - “Take What You Need” time off policy, with a minimum of 15 days off per year, and holiday breaks - Yearly bonuses (subject to eligibility) - Company phone (subject to eligibility) - Company swag - A brand new laptop and monitor - Special discounts on Sony products - Learning and Development quarterly stipend - More to come! *The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $110,000-$125,000. This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.* Sony Honda Mobility of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, military status, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or family status, genetic information, medical condition, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. **Disability Accommodation for Applicants** Sony Honda Mobility of America provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact us by email at [SHMA-Recruiting@sony-honda-mobility.com](mailto:SHMA-HR@sony-honda-mobility.com) Please indicate the position you are applying for. #LI-LS1