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Type Approval Manager

  • Location
    • Shinagawa Ku, Tokyo
  • Job Type Full time
  • Posted
  • Job Requisition JR-202619844

Description

Work Arrangement
This role is categorized as on-site. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to GM Japan Headquarter office in Tokyo, Japan full time.

The Role -

  • Lead type approval and homologation activities for imported GM vehicles in Japan.
  • Ensure all required approvals, certifications, recycling-related compliance requirements, and legal notifications are completed in time to support product launches and ongoing regulatory compliance.
  • Act as GM Japan focal point for type approval and end-of-life related matters with internal stakeholders, global teams, and external authorities, operating with a high degree of autonomy.

What You’ll Do -

  • Lead type approval and homologation activities for all imported GM products in Japan to support launch timing, Start of Sales, and ongoing compliance.
  • Define homologation requirements with source plants and work directly with global certification, product, engineering, quality, and program teams to coordinate approval plans, submissions, documentation, and issue resolution.
  • Represent GM Japan as the primary interface with MLIT/JMLIT, JAIA, and other relevant authorities and industry bodies on type approval, certification, recycling, and related regulatory matters.
  • Independently manage required submissions and notifications related to vehicle approvals, running changes, organizational changes, and other matters affecting type approval or compliance status.
  • Lead Japan end-of-life compliance activities, including recycle fee calculation and management, disassemble manual development, and related records management and publication requirements.
  • Support source plant and VPC-related audits, completion inspection requirements, and sampling inspections as required for approval and compliance activities.
  • Provide recommendations to the Product Director on type approval, recycling, and regulatory implications for launch strategy, timing, portfolio planning, and business risk.
  • Monitor changes in Japanese automotive regulations, approval requirements, and recycling-related obligations, translate them into actionable business requirements for GM Japan, and drive necessary actions with limited supervision.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)​

  • Minimum 10 years of experience in type approval, homologation, or vehicle certification within an automotive manufacturer; experience and background in an importer automotive company is highly preferable.
  • Strong knowledge of Japanese automobile regulations, approval processes, recycling-related requirements, and the related regulatory framework.
  • Good understanding of vehicle technical and engineering topics relevant to homologation, as well as the automotive retail environment in Japan.
  • Ability to work autonomously and lead cross-functional coordination with local and global stakeholders.
  • Business-level Japanese and English required, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate effectively on regulatory and technical matters.

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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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.

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