The Role
The Thermal Cabin Comfort (TCC) HVAC Duct and Outlet Architect’s primary responsibility is to provide technical leadership for the development and integration of HVAC ducts and outlets through the advanced vehicle development phases. This candidate must be knowledgeable of all internal and external components of the HVAC system. They must understand how the components of the HVAC system work together to deliver the performance and quality requirements set per the vehicle and subsystem level technical specifications. The HVAC Duct and Outlet Architect must drive a consistent design execution across all platforms while balancing subsystem level tradeoffs to achieve a high-quality low-cost execution. This candidate must be knowledgeable of and able to execute all the TCC best practices, technical specialist component strategies and GMWs.
The Candidate must hold self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost-effective results, without compromising the integrity, safety and quality of work. Is comfortable providing technical presentations to system and program leadership. Exercises technical direction over other engineers or engineering support personnel and may have work direction responsibilities over a small group with specific engineering objectives. Consult with supervisor as required.
What you'll do:
Technical
- Confirm packaging requirements are feasible and balance with Integration team and Studio Design direction.
- Proficient use of trade matrices to study/communicate alternatives while considering impacts such as customer satisfaction (performance), cost, mass, timing, design for assembly, dimensional variation and other program imperatives.
- Provide consistent support in CITs, SDITs, VCITs and PDTs. Emphasize technical direction within these forums.
- Collaborate with ETL / Tech Specialist on HVAC ducts and outlets and cross-system ideas related to engineering with simplicity (WwS, EwS) and manufacturing efficiency (DFA).
- Responsible to provide expert judgement and analysis for the definition of requirements, design, development, and implementation of HVAC ducts, grilles & Outlets.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the customer and competition by monitoring JD Power, Compass, and GART data, to comprehend design shortcomings and feed lessons learned into future designs
- Conduct benchmarking of HVAC ducts, grilles & outlets to evaluate competitor designs, performance, and integration strategies, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, comfort and cost-effectiveness in our system.
- Collaboration with the Ducts and Outlets technical specialists to define, develop and execute advanced technologies and Cabin Comfort innovation.
- Understand and execute/enhance the Brand Strategies, Technology Roadmaps, ETL Subsystem BOM Strategies (BSET), and EWS.
- Collaboration with technical specialists to execute/enhance the reuse strategies for Ducts and Outlets that are balanced with flexibility to enable our creative design partners to deliver interior appearance excellence.
- Set program execution strategy through IBR/FBR for HVAC ducts, grilles & Outlets aligned with BSET and EwS strategies.
- Support AVD VSE’s and DREs in DCR/DCTA, CRVs, Peer Review development.
- Collaborate with Desing Studio and program teams to balance design criteria, apply lessons learned, guide solutions that achieve thermal comfort while optimizing quality, mass and cost.
- Escalate timing concerns
- Escalate design issues
- Must be approachable and eager to help
- Demonstrate strong TCC knowledge that inspires confidence
Leadership and Communication
- Lead cross-functional teams to resolve highly complex technical issues, leveraging advances research, benchmarking and available knowledge base. Aligning with duct/outlet tech specialists
- Build relationships with design studio staff, integration team and program leadership, providing an open mind and a vision for what could be while keeping the customer in the center of design decisions.
- Coordination and communication of engineering criteria glidepath with Integration team (CAM’s/SAM’s, studio, and underbody design staff) to streamline the design process and support Studio design with minimal rework.
- Supporting and encouraging DREs to be bold in speaking up and defending their designs.
- Collaborate with Advanced program team, Advanced VSEs, EGM’s, DRE’s, GSSLT’s, and SMT Leadership; Design, Vehicle Architecture, Manufacturing and Program Team to ensure key program deliverables are met
- Coordinates and consults with departments outside engineering
- Effectively facilitate meetings and publish necessary documentation
Your Skills & Abilities (Qualifications):
- BS in Mechanical Engineering
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in HVAC module design release and or development
- Knowledge and understanding of GM duct and outlet best practices and design guidelines preferred
- Demonstrated the ability to make complex ideas simple to understand
- Demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate ideas to peers and executives.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and with others
- High level of interpersonal skills to work effectively with others
- Working knowledge of Vis Mock-Up and team center
- Working Knowledge of DRBFM, DFMEA, and PFMEA processes
- Demonstrated ability of “dealing with ambiguity” to enable timely decision making.
- DFSS Black Belt Certification
What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):
- MS in Mechanical Engineering
- Demonstrated technical and professional skills in TCC design and integration
- Completed DFSS projects pertaining to HVAC module performance
- Working Knowledge of CFD Analysis
- Knowledge of GM program timing system and VDP deliverables
