Design Release Engineer - Seat Components

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

Job summary

General Motors in Warren, MI is hiring a design engineer focused on seating system components—head restraints, armrests, and seat heating/ventilation. The role emphasizes requirements definition, design, development, product release, launch, and technical leadership across vehicle programs, with hybrid onsite work.

Candidates should have a BS in engineering and experience in automotive seating, manufacturing, or operations, plus travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, or related engineering field.
• Experience in automotive seat development, engineering, manufacturing, or operations.
• Ability to travel up to 10% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and finalize design criteria and typical sections using vehicle math data.
• Develop and support Statements of Requirements for seat system components with subject matter experts.
• Lead and support component design and technical reviews, ensuring design fidelity and compliance with program requirements.
• Define Interface Control Document requirements, negotiate interface agreements, and resolve cross-functional issues.
• Lead or support Product Development Team activities, including timing, parts lists, Design for Manufacturing, and issue tracking.
• Evaluate design alternatives and provide program recommendations based on cost, mass, timing, assembly, complexity, and other commodity requirements.
• Release production designs on schedule and conduct engineering reviews to confirm 100% design fidelity.
• Communicate technical information across internal teams, external customers, suppliers, and manufacturing organizations.
• Lead launch activities for new vehicle programs at GM assembly plants, Tier 1 seating plants, and applicable Tier 2 suppliers.

Skills

Mechanical/Electrical Eng

Seat systems experience

Travel flexibility

Education

B.S. in Engineering

Job description

Job Description

This role is categorized as hybrid, meaning the selected candidate will be expected to work onsite 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 benefits

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:

Responsible for requirements definition, design, engineering development, product release, launch, and technical leadership for seating system components, including head restraints, seat armrests, and seat heating and ventilation systems. Applies creativity, initiative, and independent judgment to deliver robust designs across vehicle development programs. Experience developing and integrating seating systems or components through multiple vehicle launches is preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, refine, and finalize design criteria and typical sections using vehicle math data.
• Develop and support Statements of Requirements for seat system components with subject matter experts.
• Lead and support component design and technical reviews, ensuring design fidelity and compliance with program requirements.
• Define Interface Control Document requirements, negotiate interface agreements, and resolve cross-functional issues.
• Lead or support Product Development Team activities, including timing, parts lists, Design for Manufacturing, and issue tracking.
• Evaluate design alternatives and provide program recommendations based on cost, mass, timing, assembly, complexity, and other commodity requirements.
• Release production designs on schedule and conduct engineering reviews to confirm 100% design fidelity.
• Communicate technical information across internal teams, external customers, suppliers, and manufacturing organizations.
• Lead launch activities for new vehicle programs at GM assembly plants, Tier 1 seating plants, and applicable Tier 2 suppliers.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or another engineering discipline.
• Experience in automotive seat development, engineering, manufacturing, or operations.
• Ability to legally operate a motor vehicle and travel as needed, up to 10%.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years of post-graduation engineering experience.
• Experience with automotive interiors, seating systems, component integration, and packaging.
• Knowledge of GM engineering processes, automotive requirements, seating industry standards, FMVSS regulations, and GM technical specifications.
• Experience analyzing vehicle math data and reviewing designs using Vis-Mock-up.
• Experience working with automotive OEMs, interior or seat suppliers, vehicle assembly plants, JIT operations, and launch events.
• Knowledge of statistics, mechanics of materials, finite element analysis, vehicle and occupant packaging, integrated design, and Design for Manufacture and Assembly.
• Experience with DFSS, Red X, five-phase problem solving, GD&T, DFMEA, system integration, and component packaging.

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.)

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