Lead Design Release Engineer - Thermal

Description

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.  

Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

The Role

Responsible for leading product development and integration activities for thermal systems components and subsystems for a given vehicle program, inclusive of both underhood and in-cabin thermal components.

This posting is seeking a Lead DRE for the Thermal Team. The Lead DRE will be expected to lead a team of thermal component DREs in the on-time development, release, validation, and production of thermal subsystems and related components for their assigned program(s). This role may also include direct release responsibility for one or more thermal components or subsystems.

This position would be a great opportunity for an engineer seeking a role with a strong system-level design and performance focus; team leadership responsibilities; regular interaction with the program team; visits to GM and supplier assembly plants; and opportunities to work with people from numerous different organizations within GM, including Design, Safety/Crashworthiness, Propulsion, HVAC, Electrical, Vehicle and GPS Integration, Manufacturing Engineering, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Validation, and others.

The engineer selected for this position will join a strong team that offers support, as needed, from Technical Specialists, the EGM, and DRE peers.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)

• Lead your Subsystem PDT (product development team) for the program(s) assigned to you, and work with the component DREs to ensure all key deliverables are met on time and with good quality
• Utilize engineering tools and processes to successfully develop thermal components and systems for vehicle programs
• Effectively achieve program milestones through thorough and rigorous program management
• Coach and lead DREs and suppliers to timely execution of program deliverables with excellence
• Perform appropriate design studies, including alternative analyses, and make recommendations based on performance, cost, mass, timing, packaging, energy efficiency, and vehicle integration
• Own subsystem-level thermal performance and system-level issue management (JIRA PRTS), including support for cabin comfort, powertrain thermal management, cooling performance, and related attribute delivery
• Act as the primary conduit between the VSE, LDE, and the DRE team, and provide support as needed for DREs in CITs, VAPIRs, VPITs, CPITs, and other meetings
• Lead the integration of the thermal subsystem into the total vehicle, ensuring effective coordination across underhood and in-cabin interfaces
• Understand and ensure documented compliance to all CTS (component technical specification) requirements, SSTS (subsystem technical specification) requirements, VTS (vehicle technical specification) requirements, and Design Best Practices related to your parts
• Lead your team in the on-time completion of required Peer Reviews and Routing Quality Assessments (RQAs)
• Coordinate engineering activities with other functions and departments, including Suppliers, Supplier Quality, Purchasing, Validation, Manufacturing, Safety, Electrical, HVAC, Propulsion, and Vehicle Integration, to ensure your parts meet requirements and interface appropriately with surrounding components and systems
• Lead problem-solving efforts for JIRA PRTS issues relating to your subsystem, and provide the necessary guidance to component DREs as needed
• Communicate information to and from internal and external customer organizations as required
• Review current product warranty data and address emerging issues
• Develop and implement cost optimization changes to process and/or product
• Stay abreast of new thermal technologies, components, and system integration approaches
• Communicate lessons learned with the GSSLT (global subsystem leadership team) to enhance corporate knowledge
• Domestic travel, up to 5%, as required

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Familiarity and demonstrated competence in GM tools and processes, especially eMERGE, JIRA, Teamcenter/VAS, VIS Mockup, UGNX, or CAE
• Competency in MS Office tools, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Ability to work well both independently and with others
• High level of oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated project management skills and/or leadership experience
• Familiarity and experience working through the elements of the GM Quality Chain
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, component or vehicle
• High level of analytical ability where problems are unusual or difficult

What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as engineering or business
• Experience working with thermal systems components, HVAC, cooling systems, heat exchangers, refrigerant systems, pumps, valves, ducts, or other related commodities
• Basic understanding of specifications and release terms and systems
• Familiarity and experience with component and subsystem validation test methods and reporting

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 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.

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