Body Structures System Architect

Jobtailor; Missouri; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior leader for global body structures engineering, overseeing architectures and advanced development across programs. You will shape strategies, mentor teams, and drive cross-functional alignment with CAE, Manufacturing, Design, and Architecture teams to deliver high-quality vehicle solutions.

You will balance performance, mass, cost, and manufacturing complexity while shaping best practices, standards, and deployment of innovative technologies, reporting to executive

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Engineering, Math, Physics, or other relevant degree.

Responsibilities

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Effective communication

Mentorship

Problem solving

Manufacturing knowledge

CAE understanding

Vehicle architecture integration

Engineering software tools

Education

Bachelor degree in Engineering

Tools

CAE tools

Metal forming

Joining techniques

Tooling development

Simulation tools

Job description

• Provide global technical leadership for body structures design across all AVD programs, shaping next‑generation vehicle architectures.
• Define and drive structural strategies that deliver performance, enable brand‑aligned styling, and address systemic and legacy challenges.
• Champion advanced technologies and innovation across body and RESS structures, influencing best practices, manufacturing requirements, and solution deployment.
• Lead advanced technology development in partnership with ATW, GM Research, suppliers, and industry collaborators.
• Balance performance, cost, mass, investment, and manufacturing complexity in strategic and day‑to‑day decisions.
• Serve as a global technical authority, leveraging competitive benchmarking to guide design reviews, enterprise standards, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Establish and evolve global best practices, technical specifications, and CAE methodologies to ensure consistent, high‑quality execution worldwide.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in Engineering, Math, Physics, or other relevant degree
• 8 years of relevant engineering experience in advanced vehicle development or other relevant field experience
• Proven leadership and recognized subject‑matter expert in vehicle body structures and advanced vehicle engineering.
• Independently solves complex, non‑routine engineering problems using strong analytical skills and sound business judgment.
• Leads technically complex projects or workstreams with significant visibility and measurable impact.
• Expert‑level knowledge of body structure engineering at the complete vehicle level, including compliance with Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and internal requirements.
• Deep experience with production and manufacturing processes, including metal forming, joining, body shop processing, and tooling development.
• Strong cross‑functional collaborator with CAE, Safety, Formability, Manufacturing, Design, Chassis, Packaging, and Architecture teams to deliver practical engineering solutions.
• Proven ability to manage interfaces between body structures and adjacent systems (battery systems/enclosures, chassis, fuel, restraints, electrical, interior and exterior trim).
• Thorough understanding of the Advanced Vehicle Development Process, surface/theme development, and vehicle architecture integration.
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence across technical, program, and functional teams.
• Acts as a technical mentor and resource, supporting capability development and best practices.
• Proficient with engineering and standard office software tools.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expert‑level knowledge in Body Structure Engineering and Advanced Vehicle Development, with a strong focus on compliance with Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and effective cross‑functional collaboration. Proven ability to lead complex projects and mentor teams while driving innovation and best practices in vehicle architecture.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Expert-Level Knowledge Of Body Structure Engineering
• Advanced Vehicle Development Process
• Leadership In Complex Engineering Projects
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Proficient With Engineering Software Tools

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Body Structure Engineering
• Advanced Vehicle Development
• Analytical Problem Solving
• Production And Manufacturing Processes
• Metal Forming
• Joining Techniques
• Tooling Development
• Compliance With Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
• CAE Methodologies
• Vehicle Architecture Integration

Soft Skills

• Effective Communication
• Influencing Across Teams
• Technical Mentorship

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree In Engineering

Industry Keywords

• Vehicle Body Structures
• Advanced Technologies
• Global Technical Leadership
• Best Practices
• Systemic Challenges