Design Release Engineer - Hard Trim & Overhead Systems

General Motors Company; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is seeking a Design Release Engineer for Interior Hard Trim and Overhead Systems to lead development and integration of injection molded components into vehicle interiors. This role requires coordinating cross-functional teams to define requirements, balance cost, fit, finish, and DFx, and to release components through validation.

The ideal candidate has a BS in Engineering and 4+ years in automotive design release, with experience in 3D CAD, GD&T, and prototype builds.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering or US-equivalent (mechanical preferred).
• 4+ years of entry-level automotive experience.
• Experience using engineering problem-solving processes to define requirements, evaluate concepts, document decisions, and support testing or validation.
• Experience with 3D CAD, engineering drawings, GD&T, and dimensional evaluation.
• Hands-on prototype builds, measurements, fit, finish, ergonomics, or testing.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development activities across the vehicle lifecycle, including requirements definition, design execution, and component release.
• Balance fit, finish, DFA/DFM, cost, and other imperatives in design execution.
• Approve validation results and ensure successful release of hard trim and overhead components.
• Collaborate with Engineering Interior Restraints, Adjacent Interior Components, and other groups; work with Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality and suppliers.

Skills

3D CAD

Engineering drawings

GD&T

Dimensional evaluation

Cross-functional teamwork

Data analysis

Excel

PowerPoint

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

NX/Unigraphics

Teamcenter

Vis Mockup

Job description

Job Description Design Release Engineer - Interior Hard Trim and Overhead Systems

At General Motors, we are building on our momentum and are changing the way we do things. We translate breakthrough technologies into vehicles and experiences that people love. We are seeking experienced, motivated engineers to support the next generation of industry-leading Interior Systems.

About the Interior Role

As a Hard Trim and Overhead Systems Design Release Engineer (DRE), you will be responsible to develop and integrate injection molded hard trim and overhead components into the vehicle interior. Specific component integration that you will be responsible for include:

• Injection molded hard trim components.
• Headliner substrate.
• Overhead system components (lights, coat hooks, assist handles, etc.)

This position involves responsibility for development activities throughout a vehicle’s lifecycle including:

• Definition of requirements
• Design execution balancing imperatives (fit, finish, DFA, DFM, cost, etc.)
• Release of all components
• Approval of validation results

This role requires an engineer to lead and drive a cross-functional product development team including collaboration with the following groups:

• Within Engineering – Engineering Design Interior Restraints Systems Adjacent Interior Components Body Systems CCC Overhead and Hard Trim components Electrical System HVAC System Cargo Management System
• Outside of Engineering – Creative Design Purchasing Ergonomics Manufacturing Value Added Assembler Quality Suppliers

Education Required

Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or U.S. Equivalent (mechanical preferred)

Required Experience

• 4+ years entry-level automotive experience
• Strong interest in learning about plastic materials, compression molding, and injection molding processes
• Experience using an engineering problem-solving process to define requirements, evaluate concepts, document decisions, and support testing or validation.
• Experience with 3D CAD, engineering drawings, basic GD&T, and dimensional evaluation.
• Hands-on experience with prototype builds, physical measurements, component fit, finish, ergonomics, or testing.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and communicating technical information clearly to engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, or other stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and present technical recommendations using tools such as Excel or PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, accountability, and willingness to learn within a structured engineering development environment.

Preferred Experience

• Injection molding, compression molding, plastic materials, or interior trim experience.
• Automotive vehicle development, build, launch, or supplier experience.
• NX/Unigraphics, Teamcenter, Vis Mockup, or similar engineering tools.
• Exposure to DFMEA, PFMEA, DFSS, Red-X, structured problem solving, or PRTS.
• Experience evaluating fit, finish, tolerance variation, assembly ergonomics, or manufacturing feasibility.
• Experience supporting vehicle programs or collaborating with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and suppliers.

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).

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

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