Principal Engineer – Propulsion Mechatronic Hardware

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.