Tech talent collides in Detroit

DETROIT — Automakers and others in the global auto industry are striving to create a deeper bench of software development talent, and they often look to do so by fostering the same fast-paced mindset on innovation that tech companies have.

They've been searching in unique spaces outside Silicon Valley, but they still face competition from tech giants for software engineers and others who are needed to boost the auto industry's shift toward electrification and autonomy.

Some of these industry players start by looking in the heart of Detroit to bolster talent.

One way they can do this is through Altimetrik Collider: Detroit, a combination "hangout and collaboration hub" established by technology services company Altimetrik Corp., of nearby Southfield, Mich., this summer.

The Collider, staffed by Altimetrik employees, helps support and develop talent within various industries, but it could be especially key for the local automotive manufacturing and supply base. The space is meant to help identify software engineers and other tech talent already in or migrating to the city.

On any given day, there are 10 to 20 coders, developers, startup founders and others coworking in this 3,000-square-foot space above a high-end fashion store in downtown Detroit.

Since opening six months ago, the Collider has facilitated the hiring of 50 software developers in Detroit and southeast Michigan. Its now-weekly hiring sessions draw 10 to 15 candidates.

As general manager, Abhi Vattikuti can engage with those seeking help on a prototype or developers seeking instruction from the other full-time Altimetrik engineers stationed on-site.

Drawing in startups to connect with others at the space or initiate partnerships is also part of the Collider's vision.

Those in the industry can hire, or find a related career path, by attending community meetups, talks, workshops, hackathons and general social events at the Collider. Activities range from programming and coding workshops to sessions covering business matters in order to draw an array of tech professionals.

The Collider is meant to foster thought on future business models, car-sharing, remote integration, data and analytics and trends for automotive applications — despite what many in the industry say is a shortage of recruits.

Ryan Talbott, chief transformation officer for Altimetrik in the Midwest and Europe, told Automotive News that Collider engineers have experienced how the digital automotive shift will impact all industry players.

"The OEMs and the related suppliers have had a culture in the way that they're working, and the business around them is moving so fast, and it's uncertain as to exactly how that future looks," said Talbott. "They've got to start building a culture and a knowledge base around being able to move really fast."

Before joining Altimetrik, Talbott was vice president and chief information officer at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for North America and Asia-Pacific.

While Detroit is the first location, Altimetrik plans to launch the Collider brand in India and Uruguay at the start of 2020. The company wants to launch Collider spaces in San Francisco and St. Louis next year as well.

Altimetrik also works with Ford and Daimler on projects to help promote innovation.

The Detroit project is just one example of how the industry could seek makeshift tech hubs outside California to foster a reinvented work force.

Fresh talent is needed to help the industry weather the transition from being product-based to service-based, said Lakshmi Duvoor, Collider enterprise solutions architect.

"There is a product, but it's part of a service offering," Duvoor said. "Every automotive company now wants to provide the service of people moving from point A to point B, whether it is within the same city block using a scooter or across the continent using four different modes of transportation.

"Automotive companies' success is not going to be measured based on the number of units sold," Duvoor added. "Within the next few years, that is going to change because their revenue streams are going to expand beyond units sold."

Seating and electrical systems supplier Lear Corp. has an Innovation Center in Detroit, which also bolsters new mobility development and works to draw global talent to the city through innovation and entrepreneurship network Techstars.

The WeWork space, not far from the Collider and Innovation Center, is home to PlanetM, the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s mobility development program, which has provided grants for several mobility-related projects and startups in the state.

Bob Sundar, the Detroit Collider's vice president of business development, said those in the space expect to be true partners with local auto companies in these ongoing adjustments.

"They're looking at technology as a means of completely transforming the business," Sundar said. "If you look at any of the OEMs, they're not going to stay where they are — just manufacturing cars."