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.
The Role
The Assistant Chief Engineer (ACE) – Engine Programs is a senior technical and program execution leader responsible for leading product execution for assigned engine programs and variants. This role is accountable for delivering technical requirements and business objectives, serving as a key interface across functions, ensuring execution quality and timing across design, development, validation, calibration, certification, launch, cost, quality and production.
The ACE is supported by direct team typically comprised of two Design Systems Engineers (DSEs), a Lead Engineer (LE) and an Application Engineer (AE) and bears people-leadership responsibilities for this team.
Success in this role requires deep engine-system expertise, problem-solving skills, strong business acumen, launch experience, and the ability to align technical, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, validation, calibration, and vehicle teams around a common plan.
What You'll Do
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Own product-integrated execution deliverables for assigned engines and vehicle applications, including design, development, validation, calibration, certification, launch readiness, and delivery to timing, cost, performance and quality targets
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Drive resolution of technical, build, test, and launch issues by surfacing risks early, framing clear options, and coordinating recovery actions across functions and regions
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Balance engine performance, combustion, emissions, durability, drivability, NVH, manufacturing feasibility, quality, and cost to deliver the right customer and vehicle outcome
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Lead product and process reviews, support change approval decisions, and ensure content changes, validation plans (AVDP&R), and ensure technical analyses are robust
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Partner closely with Manufacturing, Purchasing, Finance, Quality, Validation, Calibration, Vehicle Teams, and suppliers to drive aligned decisions and remove roadblocks
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Use DFMEA, PFMEA, warranty, field, and test data to drive containment, corrective action, and long-term robustness improvements across assigned engine programs leveraging the Quality-led CPIT (Continuous Product Improvement Team)
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Lead value engineering, reuse, simplification, and DFM/DFA tradeoffs to achieve cost targets without compromising key customer attributes or launch readiness
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Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and clear direction to Design System Engineers, Application Engineers, Lead Engineers, and extended cross-functional teams; build bench strength and future technical leaders
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Communicate clearly and succinctly in technical and executive forums, using data to influence decisions and keep leadership informed on status, risk, and required actions
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
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Broad experience across several of the following areas: engine development/validation, calibration, design release, lead engineering, design systems engineering, manufacturing interface, and program execution
What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
Leadership Profile
A successful Assistant Chief Engineer in the engine space is expected to operate beyond single-thread technical execution. They bring system-level engine mastery, strong cross-functional influence, disciplined risk management, customer-and-vehicle mindset, and the ability to grow future ACE and Chief-level talent while delivering high-stakes programs.
