Design Release Engineer - Exterior Trim & Lighting Accessories

General Motors; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors in Warren, MI, seeks a Design Release Engineer – Exterior Trim & Lighting Accessories. The role is hybrid, with on-site work at the Warren Tech Center at least three days per week and leadership from concept through production.

You will design, develop, and release exterior trim and lighting components, manage specifications, CAD models, GD&T, and tolerance analyses, and guide cross-functional teams to meet safety, regulatory, and quality requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is required.
• Three+ years of experience in product development engineering; exterior trim and/or lighting experience preferred.
• Knowledge of automotive exterior trim and lighting systems.
• Knowledge of automotive safety, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
• Experience with DFMEA, DRBFM, DFSS, GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Strong technical leadership, communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to apply structured problem‑solving techniques to design and manufacturing challenges.
• Ability to analyze complex engineering data and make sound technical decisions.
• Ability to learn and apply new technical information quickly.
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop exterior trim and lighting accessory components that meet vehicle, manufacturing, and customer requirements.
• Create and manage engineering specifications, CAD models, drawings, GD&T, and tolerance analyses.
• Lead component delivery from concept through launch and mass production.
• Manage engineering changes, deviations, and issue resolution throughout the product lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership to cross‑functional teams and suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Benchmark competitive designs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Analyze warranty and field data, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Apply DFMEA, DRBFM, DFSS, and structured problem‑solving methods.
• Use CAE and TcVis analyses to validate designs and predict performance.
• Track engineering data, monitor trends, and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Technical leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Structured problem solving

Engineering data analysis

Learning agility

Project management

DFMEA/DFSS/DRBFM

GD&T tolerance analysis

CAEs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related field

Job description

Job Description

This role is categorized as hybrid. The selected candidate will be expected to work on-site at the Warren Tech Center at least three days per week, or as otherwise determined by the hiring leader.

• This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

About the role:

As a Design Release Engineer – Exterior Trim & Lighting Accessories at General Motors, you will design, develop, and release exterior trim and lighting accessory components from concept through production. You will ensure that assigned components meet aesthetic, functional, manufacturing, quality, safety, regulatory, and warranty requirements.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and develop exterior trim and lighting accessory components that meet vehicle, manufacturing, and customer requirements.
• Create and manage engineering specifications, CAD models, drawings, GD&T, and tolerance analyses.
• Lead component delivery from concept through launch and mass production.
• Manage engineering changes, deviations, and issue resolution throughout the product lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership to cross-functional teams and suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Benchmark competitive designs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Analyze warranty and field data, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Apply DFMEA, DRBFM, DFSS, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Use CAE and TcVis analyses to validate designs and predict performance.
• Track engineering data, monitor trends, and drive continuous improvement.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience in product development engineering; exterior trim and/or lighting experience preferred.
• Knowledge of automotive exterior trim and lighting systems.
• Knowledge of automotive safety, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
• Experience with or understanding of DFMEA, DRBFM, DFSS, GD&T, and tolerance analysis.
• Strong technical leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to apply structured problem-solving techniques to design and manufacturing challenges.
• Ability to analyze complex engineering data and make sound technical decisions.
• Ability to learn and apply new technical information quickly.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Sponsorship:

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.)

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}. The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role. This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

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

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

From day one, we're looking out for your well‑being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment.

Accommodations

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