Design Release Engineer - Interiors - GM Defense

General Motors Corporation; Pontiac (MI); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors Defense is hiring an Interior Design Release Engineer to own the cockpit systems from requirements through release and launch. You will translate program requirements into clear engineering criteria, define interfaces, and guide cross-functional teams, including suppliers, to ensure robust, manufacturable solutions.

The role requires 5+ years in interior systems, strong documentation, and design release experience, with periodic travel to Milford Proving Grounds and potential

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering or similar discipline required.
• 5+ years of experience in interior systems, such as Instrument Panels, Floor Consoles, Door Trim, Interior Garnish and/or Seats.
• Experience owning design release engineering from requirements through release and production launch.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical problem-solving and work with suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Independently own interior systems from requirements through design, validation, release, launch, and continuous improvement.
• Translate customer, vehicle, regulatory, and program requirements into engineering requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Define and maintain component requirements, SORs, interface documentation, engineering criteria, and product data.
• Lead integration with adjacent vehicle systems, resolving packaging, fit-and-finish, dimensional, and manufacturing concerns.
• Lead design reviews, interface control, and engineering documentation including specs, BOMs, data, and release packages.
• Coach peers and coordinate with suppliers to ensure product readiness and issue resolution.

Skills

Interior systems

Design release

Cross-functional teamwork

Supplier collaboration

Engineering documentation

DFMEA/DRBFM

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

BS in Engineering or similar discipline

Job description

Design Release Engineer - Interiors - GM Defense### Design Release Engineer - Interiors - GM DefenseApply: Hybrid: Pontiac, Michigan, United States of America: Full time: Posted Today: JR-202623583**Job Description****About GM Defense** GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, and autonomy & connectivity solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. GM Defense combines General Motors’ proven engineering and manufacturing capabilities with the mission focus and execution speed required by defense customers. **The Role** GM Defense is seeking an Interior Design Release Engineer to independently own the design, development, testing, release, and continuous improvement of vehicle cockpits, including but not limited to Instrument Panels, Floor Consoles, Overhead and Hard Trim, Door Trim and Seats. This role is accountable for converting customer and program requirements into robust, manufacturable, serviceable, and validated solutions. The Interior DRE will work cross-functionally across engineering, program, design studio, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and customers to align priorities and deliver results. Success requires comfort operating in ambiguity, adapting to evolving requirements, making sound decisions with incomplete information, and driving issues to closure across the full product lifecycle—from concept and design through build, validation, launch, and field support. **What You'll Do*** Independently lead assigned interior systems and components from requirements definition through design, validation, release, launch, and continuous improvement.* Translate customer, vehicle, regulatory, and program requirements into clear engineering requirements and acceptance criteria.* Define and maintain component requirements, Statements of Requirements (SORs), interface documentation, engineering criteria, and product data.* Lead integration with adjacent vehicle systems and functions, resolving packaging, fit-and-finish, dimensional, functional, manufacturing, and serviceability concerns.* Lead design reviews, technical decisions, interface control activities, and engineering documentation, including specifications, bills of material, design data, and release packages* Guide supplier design and execution; review technical proposals, risk analyses, validation evidence, and production readiness.* Lead or coordinate DFMEA, DRBFM, design reviews, structured problem-solving, and corrective-action closure across related components.* Manage engineering changes, release documentation, component content, and program timing through applicable GM processes and systems.* Drive readiness for prototype, pre-production, and launch builds; coordinate issue triage and recovery plans with cross-functional teams.* Communicate subsystem status, trade-offs, risks, and decisions clearly to engineering and program leadership.* Coach peers and less-experienced engineers while helping reuse lessons learned across programs.**Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)*** BS in Engineering or similar discipline* 5+ years of relevant experience in interior systems, such as Instrument Panels, Floor Consoles, Door Trim, Interior Garnish and/or Seats* Demonstrated ability to independently own technical work from requirements through design, validation, release, build, and issue resolution.* Demonstrated experience in design release engineering, product engineering, or a comparable automotive engineering role* Experience taking components or systems through design, validation, change control, and production launch.* Ability to lead cross-functional technical problem-solving and work effectively with suppliers.* Strong communication, prioritization, and technical decision-making skills.* Ability to manage multiple priorities, make timely decisions with limited direction, and escalate risks appropriately.* Demonstrated ability to solve design/manufacturing issues quickly as part of a cross-functional team* Familiarity with manufacturing processes and vehicle launch experience.* Ability to work periodically at the Milford Proving Grounds, travel as required and legally operate a motor vehicle.* Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).**What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)*** Defense Industry Experience* Familiarity with GM product development, engineering change, product data, and issue-management tools* MS in Mechanical Engineering* DFSS Black Belt Certification