Description

General Motors Defense has multiple positions open! Please apply to be considered for a role in: Chassis, Body, Interior, Electrical, Software, Powertrain/RESS

About GM Defense

GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles and mobility solutions to defense, government, and security customers by leveraging the best of General Motors’ commercial technologies. We rapidly adapt proven architectures, components, and processes from GM’s global portfolio to meet demanding military and government requirements for performance, survivability, reliability, and total lifecycle cost.

The Role

GM Defense is seeking Design Release Engineers (Level 6) to support the design, release, integration, validation, and lifecycle management of key vehicle subsystems on current and future defense programs.

Open roles support the following domains:

Chassis (frame, suspension, steering, brakes, wheels/tires, driveline)
Body / Exterior / Structures (BIW, closures, armor integration, exteriors, glazing, underbody)
Interior (seating, restraints, IP/console, trim, HVAC interfaces, human factors)
Electrical (low-voltage distribution, harnesses, controllers, sensors/actuators, power management)
Software / Controls (embedded software, vehicle features, diagnostics, cybersecurity, integration of COTS and defense-specific software)
Powertrain / RESS (engine integration, transmission/driveline interfaces, cooling, fuel systems, propulsion packaging, high-voltage battery systems, battery controls, charging interfaces, energy management)

In this role, you will support end-to-end engineering delivery for assigned components and subsystem areas, working closely with subsystem leads and cross-functional teams to ensure GM Defense solutions meet performance, safety, quality, cost, schedule, and compliance targets.

What You'll Do

Design & Release

Own the design and release of assigned components and subsystem elements from concept through production and sustainment
Translate system, customer, regulatory, and military requirements into component- and subsystem-level design requirements
Develop and maintain engineering deliverables including BOMs, drawings, specifications, CAD data, DFMEAs, and DVPRs
Execute formal SOR, ICD creation and part release and change management in GMD systems,
Support packaging, integration, manufacturability, serviceability, and maintainability of assigned designs

Validation & Issue Resolution

Support definition, development and execution of validation plans across bench, vehicle, and field test environments
Drive issue identification, root cause analysis, containment, and corrective action using structured problem-solving methods
Support safety, durability, EMC, environmental, and survivability testing as applicable to the subsystem
Resolve design, test, build, and field issues in partnership with integration, quality, manufacturing, and supplier teams

Cross-Functional Integration

Work closely with systems engineering, vehicle integration, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management teams
Coordinate with suppliers and technical partners to review designs, analyses, validation results, and issue resolution plans
Support build events at GM and partner sites, helping resolve integration and launch issues in real time
Collaborate across adjacent subsystems to ensure robust technical interfaces and compatible designs

Program Execution

Support engineering timing, deliverables, risk tracking, and mitigation planning for assigned work scope
Provide clear technical status and issue updates to subsystem and program leadership
Support RFI/RFP responses and engineering planning activities as needed
Contribute technical recommendations based on data, analysis, and test results

Compliance & Configuration

Ensure assigned designs comply with relevant military standards, regulations, and customer requirements
Maintain accurate configuration management across program phases, variants, and engineering changes
Support export control, security, and customer-specific compliance requirements as applicable

Domain-Specific Focus Areas

Chassis DRE

Support design and release of frame, tie down and sling load points, suspension, steering, braking, wheels/tires, and driveline components
Help balance ride/handling, payload, towing, mobility, durability, and survivability requirements
Integrate commercial chassis content with defense-specific payloads, armor, and mobility upgrades
Support validation and issue resolution related to vehicle dynamics, braking, durability, NVH, and rollover performance

Body / Exterior DRE

Support design and release of body-in-white, closures, exteriors, glazing, underbody systems, and armor integration interfaces
Develop solutions that support crew protection, mission payloads, manufacturability, and maintainability
Ensure robust sealing, corrosion protection, and environmental performance
Support packaging and integration of antennas, external sensors, racks, and mission equipment on body structures

Interior DRE

Support design and release of seating systems, restraints, interior trim, IP/console, stowage, and crew interface elements
Help ensure interior designs meet ergonomics, safety, human factors, and mission-effectiveness targets
Integrate HVAC, communications, displays, controls, and power/data interfaces into the interior environment
Support trade-offs across comfort, durability, cleanability, and rapid reconfiguration for mission flexibility

Electrical DRE

Support design and release of power distribution, harnesses, junction boxes, controllers, lighting, sensors/actuators, and subsystem interfaces
Develop electrical solutions that support mission systems, robustness, redundancy, and serviceability
Ensure compliance with EMC/EMI, environmental, safety, and cybersecurity requirements in partnership with specialists
Coordinate with software & controls to ensure robust electrical and data interfaces

Software / Controls DRE

Design, develop, and test complex embedded vehicle controls utilizing C hand code, MATLAB, and Simulink.
Integrate control algorithms and troubleshoot serial data communications (VIP, CAN, Ethernet) across vehicle subsystems and controllers.
Develop and release software within an Agile framework, utilizing GM’s CI/CD, development, and testing toolchains (Optimus, Git, Jenkins, Jira, ETAS, VSpy).
Execute hardware/software integration and issue resolution through vehicle builds, HIL/SIL testing, and data logging analysis.
Translate SORs and P-Specs into functional code, balancing GM commercial best practices with strict defense specifications.

Powertrain / RESS DRE

Support propulsion system integration, including engine, transmission, driveline interfaces, cooling, fuel systems, mounts, and subsystem packaging
Support Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) design release and integration, including battery pack, mounting, thermal interfaces, serviceability, and protection strategies
Help balance performance, range, mobility, survivability, thermal performance, packaging, mass, and reliability requirements
Support validation and issue resolution for propulsion and RESS-related requirements including durability, thermal performance, environmental robustness, safety, diagnostics, and vehicle-level integration

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
3+ years of relevant product engineering experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, defense, aerospace, or a closely related industry
Demonstrated experience in design release, product development, or subsystem engineering for complex engineered products
Experience supporting work through concept, design, validation, launch, and field support
Experience working in CAD/CAE and PLM environments, including formal change management and part release processes
Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and issue resolution skills in a fast-paced engineering environment
Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams
Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline
Direct experience with military or government vehicle programs, standards, or acquisition processes
Familiarity with GM engineering processes, systems, and tools, including bills of material, release systems, and vehicle development processes
Experience in one or more of the following:
- Chassis: vehicle dynamics, durability, off-road mobility, heavy payloads
- Body: crashworthiness, armor integration, blast/ballistic considerations, advanced materials
- Interior: human factors, safety systems, occupant packaging, ruggedized interiors
- Electrical: high-demand power distribution, EMC/EMI, ruggedized harness design
- Software: embedded controls, AUTOSAR or similar architectures, diagnostics, cybersecurity
- Powertrain / RESS: propulsion integration, thermal management, battery systems, energy management, charging interfaces, high-voltage safety, diagnostics
Prior work in low- to medium-volume, highly configured products and/or rapid prototyping environments
Experience supporting build events, fielding, or sustainment for defense or commercial fleets

Work Location & Travel

Primary work location: GM Global Technical Center (Warren, MI) or other GM Defense-designated engineering sites
Regular on-site presence expected to support labs, builds, and cross-functional collaboration
Ability and willingness to travel domestically, and occasionally internationally, to test sites, supplier locations, and customer facilities as required

#GMD

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

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}.

The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role.

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis and successfully complete a Motor Vehicle Report review.

The position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee)

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