Body Structures and Closures Vehicle Systems Engineer

Descrição

Body Structures and Closures Vehicle Systems Engineer 

Shape how our customers experience the vehicle – every time they open a door, close a hatch, or step inside. 

Role Overview 

As the Body Structures and Closures Vehicle Systems Engineer (VSE), you are the chief integrator for Body Structures and Closures Systems – spanning Body in White, Body Sealing Solutions, Closures sheet metal, Chassis Structure, Door Seals, and frunk black plastics. 

You own design intent and technical execution, ensuring every subsystem decision rolls up into compelling vehicle-level performance, quality, timing, and cost. This is a highly visible, high-impact role where you connect the dots between engineering rigor, customer experience, and business outcomes. 

You are the voice of the Body Structure and Closures SMT, partnering closely with Purchasing, Manufacturing, Studio, Compartment Integration, Program Teams, and Performance & Validation to deliver a robust, on-time, and cost-competitive product. Success in this role requires strong technical judgment, disciplined program stewardship, and the ability to influence across a complex, matrixed organization. 

Why This Role Matters 

In this role, you will: 

• Directly shape how customers experience the structure, feel, and function of our vehicles. 

• Sit at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, design, and business, with a clear line of sight to program and enterprise outcomes. 

• Have the opportunity to set the technical direction, build alignment, and help define the next generation of GM vehicles. 

If you are energized by complex systems, visible impact, and leading through influence, this role gives you a platform to make a meaningful difference for our customers, our teams, and our future products. 

What You’ll Do 

System Integration & Program Leadership 

• Own  Body Structure and Closures SMT  coordination across systems, subsystems, and vehicle interfaces. 

• Define and drive  technical imperatives  that align to program targets, milestones, and customer promises. 

Technical Decision-Making & Problem Solving 

• Lead  structured problem solving, root-cause analysis, and trade-off decisions  that protect vehicle performance. 

• Define  must-be-true conditions , set contingencies, and make  timely, data-driven decisions  to protect program metrics. 

Vehicle-Level Technical Acumen 

• Identify and resolve issues at both  component and vehicle levels . 

• Balance  customer experience, manufacturability, cost, and enterprise constraints  through clear, grounded technical communication. 

Executive & Cross-Functional Communication 

• Deliver  concise, executive-ready updates  (written, verbal, and visual). 

• Prioritize and tailor information for  leaders, DREs, EGMs, and functional partners  to enable fast, confident decisions. 

• Clearly  scope and frame work  so teams can execute efficiently and with alignment. 

Influence, Negotiation & Alignment 

• Align stakeholders with  competing objectives  and remove  enterprise-level roadblocks . 

• Secure durable agreements with  BOM leaders, TEDs, suppliers, and Program Teams  that keep the program on track. 

Planning, Prioritization & Risk Management 

• Develop and manage  30/60/90-day and long-range plans  that are realistic and transparent. 

• Appropriately  push back on scope , delegate effectively, and  identify and mitigate risks early . 

Cost, Budget & Imperative Management 

• Lead Body Structures and Closures SMT delivery to  cost, quality, and timing targets  along the  VDP/GVDP glidepath . 

• Synthesize detailed technical inputs into  credible forecasts and clear aggregate status . 

Engineering Execution & Supplier Readiness 

• Drive  design deliverables, benchmarking, cost management, HVI, interface requirements, and financial/quality imperatives . 

• Co-lead  supplier selection, tooling kick-off, and PPAP readiness  to ensure launch success. 

Change, Validation & Launch Leadership 

• Anticipate risk and lead  engineering changes and validation activities  with discipline and speed. 

• Support  DREs and IRTs  through development and  vehicle launch , ensuring issues are resolved before they reach the customer. 

Engineering with Simplicity (EwS) & Innovation 

• Champion  Engineering with Simplicity (EwS)  through  simplification, standardization, and smart reuse . 

• Develop and communicate a  pipeline of Body Structures and Closures SMT improvement ideas  that raise the bar across programs. 

Technology & Competitive Awareness 

• Monitor  emerging technologies and competitive products . 

• Translate insights into  pragmatic design and execution strategies  that keep GM products competitive and differentiated. 

What You Bring 

• Bachelor’s degree  in Mechanical, Automotive, or related Engineering discipline ( Master’s preferred ). 

• 5+ years  of experience as a  Design Release Engineer  within Body Structures and/or Closures (e.g., sheet metal stampings and assemblies, chassis structures, door seals, functional black plastics). 

• Lead DRE experience  in Body Structures and Closures Systems strongly preferred. 

• Manufacturing experience  or a demonstrated strong  BIW manufacturing knowledge base  preferred. 

• IRT experience  preferred. 

• Deep technical knowledge of  sheet metal components and vehicle-level integration . 

• Proven  executive-level communication skills  – clear, concise, and action-oriented. 
   

• Demonstrated ability to  influence, negotiate, and align cross-functional stakeholders . 

• Strong track record of  structured problem solving, risk management, and decisive execution . 

• Experience managing  program scope, timelines, budgets, and VDP/GVDP milestones . 

• Results-driven mindset  with demonstrated impact on  EwS or other enterprise imperatives . 

• Familiarity with  GM Vehicle Program processes, tools, and deliverables . 

• Consistent demonstration of  GM Behaviors , including  integrity, collaboration, resilience, accountability, and continuous learning . 

Additional Job Details:

Lateral opportunity only

Sponsorship Eligibility:

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).

Remote Type:

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}.

Travel Requirements (If applicable):

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

Relocation Eligibility:

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

Work Related Driving Requirements (If applicable):

This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis. A company vehicle will only be provided for this role by passing the Motor Vehicle Report review.

Export Controls (If Applicable):

Management Level:

7

Informações sobre diversidade

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Declaração de Igualdade de Oportunidades de Emprego (EUA)

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Adaptações (EUA e Canadá)

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