Design and Release Engineer -Seat Structure

RiseMe; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is seeking a Senior Rear Seat Structure Design Release Engineer at our Warren Tech Center. You will be the technical owner for rear seat structures from concept through launch, defining system requirements and leading design and integration with independence and creativity.

The role requires at least five years in product development, strong reading of 3D data, and collaboration across safety, CAE, manufacturing, and suppliers.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering required; Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in product development, preferably with seating or structural components.
• Ability to read 3D math data and review designs with tools like Vis-Mock-up.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and integration of rear seat structures for large-scope vehicle programs.
• Own and develop SORs for rear seat subsystems with cross-functional teams.
• Lead design reviews ensuring safety compliance and target alignment.
• Define ICDs for interfaces and negotiate interfaces.
• Lead PDT for components/subsystems including timing, BOM, DFMA, risk mitigation.
• Conduct trade-off studies on cost, mass, timing, manufacturability, safety, quality.
• Release production designs on time meeting requirements.
• Conduct design reviews to ensure 100% design fidelity at GVDP milestones.
• Act as primary technical interface to internal/external orgs.
• Lead the launch of new vehicle programs at plants and supplier facilities.
• Lead problem-solving on cost, quality, safety and warranty.

Skills

3D math data

Engineering fundamentals

Independent judgment

Tactical planning

Travel up to 15%

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering or related)

Tools

Vis-Mock-up

Job description

Job Description

This role is categorized as hybrid, meaning the selected candidate will be expected to work on-site at the Warren Tech Center at least three days per week (or other frequency determined by their manager).

• This role is not eligible for relocation assistance

At General Motors, we are redefining mobility through human-centered design and advanced engineering. Our teams create vehicles and experiences that go beyond transportation - delivering safety, intelligence, and connectivity at scale

About the Role

The Senior Rear Seat Structure Design Release Engineer is the technical owner for rear seat structures and key components from concept through launch and into production. You will define system requirements, lead design and integration, and drive robust execution with a high level of independent judgment, creativity, and technical leadership. Prior experience leading seating structure and/or component development across multiple vehicle launches is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and integration of highly complex rear seat structures for large-scope vehicle programs.
• Own and develop SORs (Statement of Requirements) for rear seat structure subsystems, partnering with safety, CAE, manufacturing, durability, NVH, and other subject-matter teams.
• Lead design and technical reviews for rear seat structures and subsystems, ensuring design robustness, safety compliance, and alignment to program targets.
• Define and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for component and subsystem interfaces; negotiate and finalize interface agreements with interfacing systems and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Lead the Product Development Team (PDT) for assigned components/subsystems, including timing, parts lists, DFM/DFMA considerations, issue tracking, and risk mitigation.
• Conduct trade-off studies and recommend directions based on cost, mass, timing, manufacturability, complexity, safety, and quality imperatives.
• Release production designs on time, ensuring they meet all commodity, regulatory, performance, and quality requirements.
• Conduct engineering and design reviews to help ensure 100% design fidelity and readiness at each GVDP milestone.
• Act as the primary technical interface, clearly communicating information to and from internal and external organizations (program teams, plants, suppliers, CAE, validation, purchasing, quality).
• Lead the launch of new vehicle programs for rear seat structure subsystems at assembly plants and supplier facilities, including build support, issue resolution, and change management.
• Lead focused problem-solving efforts on significant cost, quality, safety, and warranty issues on seat programs, driving permanent corrective actions and lessons learned.

Required Education, Experience & Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in product development, preferably with structural components or seating systems.
• Demonstrated ability to read, analyze, and interpret 3D math data and review designs using tools such as Vis-Mock-up or equivalent.
• Strong foundation in engineering fundamentals and mechanics, with the ability to connect system-level performance to component-level design decisions.
• Proven ability to work independently, make sound technical judgments, and drive issues to closure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and tactical planning skills (macro/micro/personal) to manage multiple programs and deadlines.
• Ability to travel up to 15% (plant builds, supplier visits, test events, and launch support).

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Product Design Release experience with ownership of components or systems through multiple GVDP cycles.
• Working knowledge of product development processes, FMVSS regulations, and vehicle-level requirements, including familiarity with GVDP milestones, deliverables, and sign-off criteria.
• Prior experience with automotive OEM product development (seating or body structures strongly preferred).
• Experience applying DFSS tools for component selection and design robustness; DFSS certification is a plus.
• Demonstrated capability with structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., Red-X, 8D, root-cause analysis).
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence decisions and align diverse stakeholders around a technical direction.

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., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

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