Mark E. Birac, P.E. Automotive Engineer & ADAS Expert

Provide technical investigations, crash prevention and mitigation engineering, and electrical engineering analysis.

Motor Vehicle Design, Development and Testing – from requirements, concept through validation field-testing of complete vehicles, including manufacturing. Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) for products & process, DVP&R development, Fault tree analysis, ISO 26262 Functional Safety case development, as well as writing trouble shooting and service procedures. Testing pre-production and production vehicles in extreme environments at or above rated capabilities. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS), Euro NCAP/Global vehicle NCAP standards, and other regulatory requirement compliance. Internal due care requirements.

Motor Vehicle System Design, Development and Testing – Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) including electronic driver aids, Level 2+ autonomous vehicle systems, including front camera module, radar, ultrasonic sensors, domain controller, driver monitoring systems, surround view systems; systems include Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Automated Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW), Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW), and automated parking. Augmented reality (AR), Heads-up Display (HUD), E-mirror, Driver monitoring cameras, Smart Mono-camera and Smart Tri-camera modules, lidar systems, GPS/GNSS, Navigation, Digital cockpit systems, instrument cluster, infotainment systems, battery management systems for high-voltage and 12V Li-ion batteries, High-voltage isolation design techniques, Start-Stop modules, On-board Charger modules for hybrid vehicles, Interior LED lighting and lighting controllers, Body Electronics, Memory Seat Module, Remote Keyless Entry, Vehicle Immobilizer, Smart Junction boxes, Universal Garage Door Opener systems, Fuel-fired engine-independent heaters for buses/trucks/automotive; Engine-independent phase-change cooling system for trucks, automotive switch design, automotive electrical connector design, Human Machine Interface (HMI), vehicle multiplexing, CAN bus, LIN bus, Ethernet, data collection, annotation and reprocessing, UNIX system administration, Android for automotive, Linux, software-defined vehicle, vehicle compute platform, software engineering and validation, ERP/MRP systems, database management systems. Worst case circuit analysis, Cybersecurity, ISO 21448 Safety of the Intended Function (SOTIF), Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Design for Manufacturability and Assembly, Root Cause Analysis, Structured Problem Solving, Project and Program Management, Product Management, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), System Architecture, System Integration, System/Vehicle Verification and Validation, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)/Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Validation, New Product Introduction (NPI), Industrialization and Launch, Laboratory Management, signal integrity, environmental reliability validation.

Motor Vehicle Failures – ADAS, driver and occupant monitoring, defect management, warranty analysis, electrical system failures, electrostatic discharge (ESD) failures, electrical overstress of electronic components, thermal issues, solder issues, conformal coat issues, EMC issues, high-voltage battery failures, electrical and electronic component failures and root cause analysis, supporting plant launch and quality issues.

Motor Vehicle Repair – diagnosis and/or repair of ADAS, sensing systems, over-the-air updates, software updates, driver and occupant monitoring, camera systems, radar systems, memory seat modules, remote keyless entry, tire pressure monitoring systems, vehicle immobilizer, smart junction boxes, LED lighting systems, integrated center stacks, HVAC systems, vehicle communication issues, electrical and electronic component issues, CAN/vehicle issues, software issues, water sealing, lighting/electrical, interior/exterior components and systems, interaction of dealers and manufacturers, and safety recall repairs. Proper use of service repair tools and equipment, repair procedures and shop operations for electrical/electronic vehicle components.

Manufacturing Process and Equipment – Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) prevention, Automated Optical Inspection (AOI), In-circuit test (ICT), End-of line Functional testing,
Strain-gauge analysis, incoming inspection, safe launch, APQP, PPAP, control plans, Surface mount devices, solder reflow, wave solder, conformal coating, injection molding, tooling engineering, die cast components, burn-in, VA/VE, molding; pneumatic and DC powered tools, hand tools, fit and finish control, statistical process control (SPC), adhesives; machining, mistake and error proofing, poka-yoke, kaizen activities, operator protection means and methods, and operator ergonomics.

Professional Experience

Provide technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of commercial and personal injury litigation involving ADAS systems, crash prevention and mitigation, product liability, defects and malfunctions of vehicle and electrical systems.

• Responsibilities included Systems Engineering/Architecture, System Integration, System/Vehicle Verification and Validation Test, Systems Qualification Test, Vehicle Test, Functional Safety, Product Cyber Security, Functions Engineering, Function Performance Test, and Change/Configuration/Defect Management.
• Developed and launched Magna’s first two full Level 2+ ADAS systems for Fisker Ocean and Stellantis DT.
• Responsible for development and testing system-level and component-level specifications for multiple customers, including VW, Ford, Rivian, Fisker, Stellantis, Toyota, Mazda, and GM.
• Led multi-month task force to enable and improve ADAS function performance test capabilities, including data collection, annotation, and KPI generation. Restored functional performance testing and delivered KPI reports used to validate and tune ADAS features, including FCW, AEB, ACC, and LKA.
• Led the development and implementation of comprehensive safety cases for ADAS system launches, achieving ISO 26262 ASIL B certification for Domain Controllers, Front Camera Module, Mid-Range Radar, and Ultrasonic Sensors.
• Developed and launched VW MIK Driver Monitoring System.
• Developed Critical Success Factors (CSF), Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and other metrics for the department and projects, presenting them to senior management monthly, ensuring performance monitoring to drive informed decision-making.
• Championed internal due care requirements development initiative to drive quality improvements and ensure implementation of best design practices across programs. Performed read across to 4 awarded customer programs, contributing to overall quality improvements.
• Authored advanced Product Roadmap and Product Definition Document for next-generation driver-facing camera. Monitored regulatory requirements and industry standards to ensure product compliance.
• Site lead of new Rochester Hills, Michigan ADAS system/vehicle test facility, overseeing launch to expand and improve vehicle and bench test capabilities.
• Directed a global multidisciplinary organization of 300 engineers in ADAS system and component development, fostering a culture of innovation and cross-functional collaboration across North America, Asia, and Europe.
• Served as Product Manager for Driver Monitoring Systems. Authored advanced Product Roadmap and Product Definition Document for next-generation driver-facing camera. Monitored regulatory requirements and industry standards to ensure product compliance.

• Championed the development of system requirements on twelve automotive digital cockpit/infotainment customer programs, including Audi HCP3, Stellantis R1, Tata Motors Gen3, Subaru Gen 3.1, and Ford Phoenix Audio Controller, as well as platform requirements to support multiple OEM customers and advanced product roadmap.
• Collaborated across business units to establish a new product line to integrate ADAS features into Harman’s Digital Cockpit Vehicle Compute platforms. Features included Driver/Occupant Monitoring, 3D Surround View, Augmented Reality, and E-Mirrors. Resulted in production award of Surround View business on Tata Motors Gen3 infotainment system.
• Developed and maintained ADAS-Digital Cockpit product roadmap, including hardware/software platforms, virtualization, and functional safety ASIL targets.
• Collaborated with Marketing team to create study of consumer acceptance of ADAS features user experience.
• Led corporate initiative to adopt Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) in Systems/Software development process.
• Established a new global organization responsible for Systems Requirements Engineering, growing the team to 51 members across USA, India, Germany, and Italy, and implementing best practices integral to the development of complex digital cockpit systems, overseeing a $3.9M annual budget.

Chief Engineer/Senior Manager, ADAS 2016-2017
Engineering Manager, DAS Core Platform 2014-2016

• Pioneered implementation of new technologies including Mobileye EyeQ4 (first Tier 1 implementation), new SerDes chipset, LPDDR4 memory, new datalogging/HIL reinjection concept, and advanced PCB technologies.
• Led development of two generations of forward-facing Mono- and Tri-Cam ADAS cameras designed to meet Euro NCAP 5-star ratings, enabling FCW, AEB, LKA, ACC, pedestrian/cyclist detection and other ADAS features. Achieved BOM cost reduction targets and ASPICE Level 2 compliance.
• Instrumental in winning, developing and launching $1.2 billion Mono- and Tri-Cam business award from BMW (KAFAS 4 Camera system).
• Managed the full product lifecycle, from concept through production, while nurturing partnership with key Mobileye supplier and delivering technical presentations to major automotive OEMs.
• Main point of contact for technical resolution of all issues on forward model and current series production ADAS camera products.
• Directed global multidisciplinary organization of 63 engineers in the design and development of advanced safety-critical ADAS camera systems to support multiple OEM customer applications. Grew and strengthened the team through hiring and mentoring key employees. Managed an annual engineering labor budget of $14.5M.

• Led a multidisciplinary engineering organization in the design and development Integrated Center Stack/Display Units and HVAC Control Units.
• Served as main GM customer interface, leading weekly PDT meetings, technical presentations, and issue resolution, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and expectations.
• Drove root cause analysis and issue resolution to achieve full PPAP on GM K2XX Integrated Center Stack and HVAC Control Units, securing over $500,000 in production tooling reimbursements.

• Led design, validation and implementation of two generations of automotive high-voltage battery management systems and lithium-ion 12V starter batteries.
• Created, established, and executed the Hardware Engineering Design Process.
• Championed the resolution of numerous technical integration and validation issues utilizing Structured Problem Solving (8D) methodology.
• Managed customer relationships, serving as the primary technical interface for next-generation high-voltage battery management system with GM (lead customer).
• Managed a team of engineers in the design and development of lithium-ion battery management systems for the automotive market. Grew team to more than double initial size.

Platform Manager 2006-2010

• Led accelerated development program to design and launch diesel ignition module for Ford; completed under budget in record 100 days from award to PPAP/launch, earning customer and internal accolades.
• Initiated and executed redesign of GMX272 LED interior lighting electronics product.
• Directed global cross-functional team for Chevrolet Volt On-Board Charger Module, managing $10.7M program budget, as well as scope, financials, timing, industrialization and issue resolution. Primary contact for GM customer interface and Delta supplier partnership. Presented program status weekly to customer and senior management. Instrumental in quoting and winning production business award.
• Led design, development and launch of Voltage Quality Module for Jaguar/Land Rover and OnStar Vehicle Interface Module for 2009 Pontiac Vibe.
• Spearheaded the production transfer of 8 products from Tampa, Florida to Apodaca, Mexico. Developed and managed schedules, led customer interface and issue resolution, coordinated Production Trial Runs (PTRs), championed EDI and logistics setup.

Electronics Engineering Supervisor  2003-2006

• Supervised and mentored a team of 14 engineers in the design and launch of 21 automotive electronics products.
• Analyzed RF product failures and designed immediate corrective action, preventing plant shutdowns and saving Lear $1 million in material obsolescence costs.
• Utilized statistical methods in leading Six Sigma Green Belt team to develop and implement process changes to improve the quality of end-of-line tester specifications, resulting in 86% reduction in defects. Achieved Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

Senior Electronics Engineer  1998-2003

• Developed Lear's first RFID-based vehicle immobilizer. Reduced material cost by 9% prior to launch.

• Designed and developed new vehicle heating and cooling products and adapted German products to North American market, including both electrical and mechanical components and systems.
• Established drawing standards, document control, part number, and engineering change systems.
• Updated, revised, and restructured all Bills of Material in company product line in order to commonize products and part numbers between US and Canadian locations.
• Member of coordination team to relocate Webasto operations from Madison Heights, MI to Lapeer, MI.
• Created electrical and mechanical drawings using AutoCAD.
• Wrote software for MC68HC05 embedded microcontroller.
• Planned, coordinated and performed tests and interpreted data using IOTech data acquisition system.

• Designed automotive interior switch components using Unigraphics CAD system.
• Performed mechanical tolerance stack-ups.

• Designed automotive electrical connection systems.
• Created 3-D models and drawings using Unigraphics CAD system.

Professional Credentials

Professional Engineer: Michigan
Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, 2008

Education

Master of Business Administration, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor, Michigan

B.S., Engineering (Electrical Engineering), University of Michigan, College of Engineering, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Continuing Education

• Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Training, Agilest, 2018
• NAA Leadership Training, Methode Electronics, 2014
• Analog Simulation with PSpice, EMA Design Automation, 2013
• ISO 26262 Functional Safety Training, Omnex, 2012
• The Proper Interpretation and Implementation of GMW3172 for Electronics, General Motors, 2004
• Supervisory Workshop Series, Lear Corporation, 2003
• Design for Six Sigma Training Program, Lear Corporation, 2003
• Dale Carnegie Course, Dale Carnegie & Associates/Ralph Nichols Group, 2003
• Design FMEA Training, Eastern Michigan University Center for Quality, 2003
• Electronics Packaging: Thermal and Mechanical Design & Analysis, SAE, 2001
• Fault Tree Analysis Training, Lear Corporation, 2000
• Fundamentals of Vehicle Multiplexing, SAE, 1998
• Professional Engineer’s Licensing Review, Part I: EIT review course, Engineering Society of Detroit, 1995
• Design of Injection Molded Plastic Components, Delphi Packard Electric Systems, 1995
• Unigraphics Training, EDS, 1995

Professional Memberships

• Beta Gamma Sigma (international business honor society) – 2009 to present (lifetime membership)
• Society of Automotive Engineers, 2001-2002, 2026 to present
• Engineering Society of Detroit, 1995-1996, 2026 to present

v. 04/14/26