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.
Product Design Release Engineer – Vehicle Closures, Compartment Access System Engineer
The Role
The candidate’s primary responsibility is to design, engineer and release of Closure Access Systems across multiple vehicle programs. Closure Access Systems include; manual/power Closure Actuators, Switches and Lock-sets for Front (e-Trunk), Rear (Lift/Tail/Swing/End Gates) and Side Closures (Doors). As a Closures Access System engineer, the candidate will utilize leadership skills, creativity, initiative, and independent judgment to lead product development teams and collaborate with cross functional teams to deliver integrated and balanced solutions.
What You'll Do
- Collaborates with cross-functional partners to achieve a robust solution with balanced imperatives
- Supporting System Architects and Lead Integrators and System Leads to guide the Integrated Suppliers, Software and Services partners, Program Teams and Manufacturing partners to develop integrated solutions that balance innovation, content and imperatives within manufacturing constraints, engineering requirements and best practices
- Negotiates with cross-functional partners to balance solutions
- Collaborates extensively with Closures Engineers, Software and Services Engineers, Suppliers, General Assembly and VDDV/CAE Engineers to balance component requirements, SSTS requirements, along with packaging and dimensional requirements
- Ensuring criteria development enables quality on time execution.
- Ensuring software Controls and Electrical requirements are developed, communicated and delivered
- Develops studies/alternatives, and supports Program direction based upon cost, mass, timing, DFMEA, quality, and other program imperatives
- Communicates information to and from internal and external customer organizations
- Technical capability in closure subsystem development
- Understands SSTS to enable adaptation to new vehicles
- Some technical knowledge of Closures and system integration with basic working knowledge of Closure components (Latches, Hinges, Counterbalance, Power Actuators, Handles, Sensors)
- Works with System Leads to balance risk and reach with quality and on-time execution
- Knowledge of competitive benchmarks and trends in subsystem space
- Engaged with TS team and active participant in GSSLT’s
- Understands and implements subsystem best practices and can quickly and effectively share learning’s with other programs/platforms/AVD
- Familiar with manufacturing process for Closures across Stamping, Body, Paint and GA
- Leads the Product Development Team enabling the subsystem to meet all deliverables on time while managing imperative and providing integrated solutions across multiple programs
- Running effective subsystem PDT
- Execute Quality Chain elements with rigor and excellence
- Co-Lead System Design Reviews, Peer reviews, DRBTR reviews ensure 100 percent design fidelity and best practice compliance– with focus on interfaces and integration issues, specifically in the software Controls domain.
- Completion of the key deliverables thru the VDP utilizing PDT and component timing plans, including math releases, SOR’s, Sourcing, Tool Kick Offs, Test-Ready Properties, Validation/Verification, ICDm/e, CRV’s, MRD’s for build events, and PPAP,
- Working knowledge of GM system and processes (ECR, PRTS, eMerge, PPAP, TWO’s etc.)
- Leads in the development, execution and approval of Verification plans for subsystems
- Supports the PDT, SQ and Purchasing team to enable on-time sourcing of qualified Suppliers
- Uses Robust Engineering tools (DFSS, OPEX, etc) to optimize product design
- Enables a a high-quality on-time launch
- Determines the root cause of build issues.
- Understands Controls logic and intended customer-facing Closure system behavior
- Work with Manufacturing to develop closure system process validation plans
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
- Bachelor of Science – Engineering
- 3+ years' of experience in Design Release Engineering
- Familiar with engineering operations, Specification and release processes, and best practices
- Strong interpersonal skills enabling ability to work effectively with cross functional and cross-cultural teams
- Extensive level of analytical ability where problems are complex or difficult.
- Demonstrated ability of ‘dealing with ambiguity’ to enable timely decision making.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent program management skills
- Excellent physics based and methodical problem solving skills
What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
- Master of Science or other Advanced Degree
- DFSS Black Belt Certification and Red X Journeyman
- Knowledge and use of VSpy diagnostic applications
- MATLAB and Simulink modelling capability
