Body Structures and Closures Vehicle Systems Engineer

generalmotors; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is seeking a Body Structures and Closures Vehicle Systems Engineer to lead integration across Body in White, sealing solutions, sheet metal, door seals, and related structures. You will own design intent, drive technical imperatives, and influence across purchasing, manufacturing, design, and program teams to deliver on time, within budget, and with top-tier quality.

The role demands strong technical judgment, program stewardship, and the ability to navigate a matrixed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or related Engineering required; Master’s preferred.
• 5+ years of Design Release Engineer experience in Body Structures/Closures.
• Demonstrated executive-level communication and cross-functional influence.

Responsibilities

• Own Body Structures and Closures SMT coordination across systems and vehicle interfaces.
• Define technical imperatives aligned to program targets and customer promises.
• Lead structured problem solving, risk management, and data-driven decisions.

Skills

Design Release Engineer experience

Executive-level communication

Scope and frame work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or related Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

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 theBody Structures and Closures Vehicle Systems Engineer (VSE), you are thechief integratorfor Body Structures and Closures Systems – spanningBody in White, Body Sealing Solutions, Closures sheet metal, Chassis Structure, Door Seals, and frunk black plastics.

Youowndesign intent and technical execution, ensuring every subsystem decision rolls up intocompelling vehicle-level performance, quality, timing, and cost. This is a highly visible, high-impact role where you connect the dots betweenengineering rigor, customer experience, and business outcomes.

You are thevoice of the Body Structure and Closures SMT, partnering closely withPurchasing, Manufacturing, Studio, Compartment Integration, Program Teams, and Performance & Validationto deliver arobust, on-time, and cost-competitive product. Success in this role requiresstrong 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 shapehow customers experience the structure, feel, and functionof our vehicles.

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

• Have the opportunity toset the technical direction, build alignment, and help definethe next generation of GM vehicles.

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

What You’ll Do

System Integration & Program Leadership

• OwnBody Structure and Closures SMTcoordination across systems, subsystems, and vehicle interfaces.

• Define and drivetechnical imperativesthat align to program targets, milestones, and customer promises.

Technical Decision-Making & Problem Solving

• Leadstructured problem solving, root-cause analysis, and trade-off decisionsthat protect vehicle performance.

• Definemust-be-true conditions, set contingencies, and maketimely, data-driven decisionsto protect program metrics.

Vehicle-Level Technical Acumen

• Identifyand resolve issues at bothcomponentand vehicle levels.

• Balancecustomer experience, manufacturability, cost, and enterprise constraintsthrough clear, grounded technical communication.

Executive & Cross-Functional Communication

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

• Prioritize and tailor information forleaders, DREs, EGMs, and functional partnersto enable fast, confident decisions.

• Clearlyscope andframe workso teams can execute efficiently and with alignment.

Influence, Negotiation & Alignment

• Align stakeholders withcompetingobjectivesand removeenterprise-level roadblocks.

• Secure durable agreements withBOM leaders, TEDs, suppliers, and Program Teamsthat keep the program on track.

Planning, Prioritization & Risk Management

• Develop and manage30/60/90-day andlong-range plansthat are realistic and transparent.

• Appropriatelypush back on scope, delegate effectively, andidentifyand mitigate risks early.

Cost, Budget & Imperative Management

• Lead Body Structures and Closures SMT delivery tocost, quality, and timing targetsalong theVDP/GVDP glidepath.

• Synthesize detailed technical inputs intocredible forecasts and clear aggregate status.

Engineering Execution & Supplier Readiness

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

• Co-leadsupplierselection, tooling kick-off, and PPAP readinessto ensure launch success.

Change, Validation & Launch Leadership

• Anticipate risk and leadengineering changes and validation activitieswith discipline and speed.

• SupportDREs and IRTsthrough development andvehicle launch, ensuring issues are resolved before they reach the customer.

Engineering with Simplicity (EwS) & Innovation

• ChampionEngineering with Simplicity (EwS)throughsimplification, standardization, and smart reuse.

• Develop and communicate apipeline of Body Structures and Closures SMT improvement ideasthat raise the bar across programs.

Technology & Competitive Awareness

• Monitoremerging technologies and competitive products.

• Translate insights intopragmatic design and execution strategiesthat keep GM products competitive and differentiated.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degreein Mechanical, Automotive, or related Engineering discipline (Master’spreferred).

• 5+ yearsof experience as aDesign Release Engineerwithin Body Structures and/or Closures (e.g., sheet metal stampings and assemblies, chassis structures, door seals, functional black plastics).

• Lead DRE experiencein Body Structures and Closures Systemsstronglypreferred.

• Manufacturing experienceor a demonstrated strongBIW manufacturing knowledge basepreferred.

• IRT experiencepreferred.

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

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

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

• Strongtrack recordofstructured problem solving, risk management, and decisive execution.

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

• Results-driven mindsetwithdemonstratedimpact onEwSor other enterprise imperatives.

• Familiarity withGM Vehicle Program processes, tools, and deliverables.

• Consistent demonstration ofGM Behaviors, includingintegrity, 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

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

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Benefits Overview

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