Description
The Role:
The Principal Engineer – Propulsion Mechatronic Hardware provides technical leadership and system-level ownership for vehicle propulsion systems across advanced development and production programs. This role understands the end-to-end propulsion architecture, integrates mechanical, electrical, software, and control subsystems, and drives execution of highly complex, multi-domain mechatronic electrical control units engineering challenges that directly impact vehicle performance, safety, cost, and customer experience.
Operating as a principal-level technical authority across Propulsion, this role influences hardware strategy with vehicle, propulsion and electrical architecture decisions and partners closely with software, manufacturing, safety, and supplier ecosystems to shape GM’s future propulsion technologies. The role also will oversee overall in house design activities and partner with product teams to develop strategies.
What You'll Do:
Propulsion Architecture & Technical Leadership
• Define and evolve vehicle propulsion mechatronic hardware, interface with electric drive systems, power electronics, energy delivery, thermal interactions, and controls integration.
• Set technical vision and strategy for propulsion mechatronic hardware, balancing performance, efficiency, durability, scalability, safety, and cost.
• Lead overall in house design strategy and ensure cross functional execution and problem solving are resolved on time with quality
• Serve as a technical authority in design reviews, issue resolution forums, product/safety investigations, and program decision checkpoints.
System Integration & Execution
• Own end-to-end propulsion system integration, ensuring alignment across mechanical, electrical, software, embedded compute, and control domains.
• Drive resolution of system-level issues that span propulsion, vehicle systems, E/E architecture, suppliers, or multiple vehicle programs.
• Support vehicle development from concept through launch, including requirements definition, validation, calibration, and system sign-off.
• Ensure propulsion architectures meet global regulatory, safety, and quality standards.
E/E & Embedded Architecture Alignment
• Partner with hardware and software architects to align propulsion requirements with vehicle compute, networking, and ECU strategies.
• Translate propulsion mechatronic hardware performance and control needs into hardware, network, and ECU design requirements working with cross functional teams
• Influence semiconductor, product team, and supplier roadmaps to support long-term propulsion strategy.
Cross-Functional Influence
• Collaborate with vehicle architecture, software, safety, manufacturing, quality, program management, and supply chain.
• Provide technical guidance to internal teams and suppliers and influence sourcing and technology decisions.
• Represent propulsion engineering in enterprise-level initiatives and executive forums.
Culture & Capability Building
• Act as a technical mentor and advisor to senior engineers.
• Champion best practices, lessons learned, and standardization.
• Foster a culture of engineering excellence and continuous improvement.
Y our Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in propulsion or vehicle systems engineering.
• Deep expertise in internal combustion engines and electric or hybrid propulsion systems, controls, or system architecture.
• Experience in house design execution, schematic layout, hardware I/O development, electrical hardware development
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-platform engineering efforts
What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):
• Experience as a system owner or architecture lead on production programs.
• Deep expertise and experience executing
• Knowledge of automotive regulatory and functional safety standards.
• Track record of influencing enterprise-level technical direction.
Impact & Scope
• Decisions influence multiple vehicle programs and future propulsion platforms.
• Broad responsibility for vehicle performance, safety, reliability, and business outcomes.
• Recognized as a principal-level propulsion systems leader.
This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.
This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Total Rewards | Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us [email protected] or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
