Lab Group Manager

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.

Who We Are  

Energy and Propulsion Systems Research identifies, invents, develops, and implements propulsion and vehicle efficiency research and technology to deliver disruptive value to General Motors and our customers. 

Key areas of research include: 

• Electric Drives & Power Electronics 

• Hybrid and Electric Propulsion, Battery & Thermal Architectures and Systems 

• Multi-disciplinary Optimization & Integration (Propulsion, Aero, Thermal, Electrical) 

• Controls & Optimization, including latest AI/ML approaches 

• Vehicle Health Management (i.e., Diagnostics and Prognostics) 

• Virtual Design and High-fidelity Measurements  

Who You Ar e  

As the leader of the Energy & Propulsion Controls Group within the Energy & Propulsion Systems Research Lab, you will manage a team of researchers and oversee the planning and execution of research across key areas of energy and propulsion controls. The group also brings strong expertise in AI/ML, with ongoing development and application of these methods to propulsion control systems. 
 
Your immediate focus will be to lead innovation across several core technical domains, including: 

• Electrification and propulsion system controls for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles 

• Battery Management Systems (BMS) 

• Optimal energy management systems 

 
Research in the team emphasizes adaptive, connectivity‑enabled controls and digital twin–based development to improve vehicle efficiency, applying both data‑driven and classical control techniques at the component and system levels. 
 
In this role, you will drive the definition, development, and verification of advanced control technologies as an integral part of energy and propulsion innovations supporting a future of zero emissions, zero crashes, and zero congestion. 
 
You will also lead the group in publishing research results in peer‑reviewed journals and conferences, and build a strong external partnership network across suppliers, research institutes, startups, and advanced technology laboratories to leverage investments and amplify GM’s internal efforts. 

 
What You Do  
Manage activities of researchers, including setting objectives, managing results, evaluating individual performance, coaching/mentoring, and career planning for a positive engagement 
Support and encourage corporate initiatives of diversity, employee enthusiasm and culture change (Workplace of Choice) 
Recruit talent and grow and diversify personal skills and proficiency base 
Engage the team to accomplish projects with high quality, high impact, and fast delivery 
Celebrate wins and seek recognition internally and externally for accomplishments of team members 
Lead corporate technology needs and chart overall strategy through active collaboration with stakeholders across the GM enterprise 
Provide technology leadership in hybrid and electrification propulsion controls and de 
velop strategic roadmaps in collaboration with key stakeholders 
Develop and execute R&D project portfolio that provides actionable options to address GM needs 
Optimize internal and external capability to execute the project portfolio including leveraged funding (including academia, government labs, supplier, and other external collaborations) 
Drive innovation and documentation of research developments through records of invention, internal reports, and external publications 
Develop a global network with key universities, government labs, and industrial labs to access the world’s best technology 
Lead cross-functional discussion, leadership reviews and communicate results and progress across the organization 
Grow and diversify personal skills and proficiency base 
Consistently demonstrate critical thinking and strong collaboration 
Be a champion for safety in the workplace 

What You Need  

• Masters or multiple advanced degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related field plus 10+ years relevant work experience 

• Track record of research or technology implementation 

• Experience as technical leader & individual contributor 

• Strong, charismatic, leader with excellent people skills 

• Research and development project planning/management/budget responsibility 

• Ability to execute multiple projects spanning different technical areas in parallel 

• Demonstrated ability to break through barriers to execute plans 

• Multidisciplinary engineering skill set 

What Would Be Even Better  

• PhD or multiple advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering plus 5+ years of people leadership/team leadership experience 

• Experience in Propulsion Controls (ICEs, EVs) 

• Experience as a people leader  

• Strong business acumen 

• Demonstrated performance in a position requiring both high creativity and engineering technical excellence 

• Strong evidence of career performance excellence in positions of ever-increasing levels of responsibility, challenge, and leadership