Electrical Architect - GM Defense

General Motors (GM); Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

GM Defense is seeking a Vehicle Electrical Architect to define the vehicle-level power and signal distribution architecture. You will set requirements, partition functions, and ensure designs meet performance, reliability, and timing goals across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities include design of battery centers, pre-fuse strategies, harnesses, and schematics, plus driving FMEAs and technical reviews. Travel to Milford Proving Grounds may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical or related).
• 5+ years in electrical systems, vehicle electrical engineering, or related field.
• Experience releasing electrical components, harnesses, or designs.
• Proven ability to analyze and resolve complex problems.
• Experience with cross-functional Product Development teams and suppliers.
• Knowledge of power/signal distribution, battery centers, pre-fuse systems.

Responsibilities

• Define vehicle electrical requirements, partitions, and subsystem allocations.
• Develop energy-management strategies across generation, storage, loads.
• Design power/ground distribution and battery centers.
• Select wire gauges and circuit protection per standards.
• Create and review schematics, harness nets, and CAE outputs.
• Lead or support FMEAs, design reviews, and issue resolution.
• Mentor engineers and improve electrical architecture methods.

Skills

Electrical systems

Vehicle electrical

Design release

Harness design

Power distribution

Embedded systems

Cross-functional collaboration

FMEAs

Education

BS in Engineering

Tools

Capital Logic

Job description

Job DescriptionAbout GM DefenseGM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, autonomous systems, and connectivity solutions to defense, security, and government customers worldwide. We combine GM’s engineering and manufacturing strength with the mission focus and speed required by defense programs.The RoleThe Vehicle Electrical Architect is a senior engineering role responsible for defining vehicle-level power and signal distribution architectures. This includes establishing requirements, partitioning electrical functions, developing concepts, and ensuring designs meet performance, customer, reliability, packaging, cost, manufacturability, and timing objectives.Working across GM Defense, GM, and with partners in propulsion, interiors, exteriors, chassis, body/armor, software, and vehicle systems, the architect resolves complex technical issues, exercises independent judgment, and influences decisions across organizational boundaries.What You’ll DoDefine vehicle electrical requirements, functional partitions, and subsystem allocations.Develop energy-management strategies across power generation, storage, distribution, and loads.Design power and ground distribution, including battery electrical centers, pre-fuse strategies, and related components.Select wire gauges and circuit protection using engineering requirements, standards, and analysis.Create and review mechanizations, schematics, harness netlists, and other program deliverables.Use engineering analysis and CAE tools to identify deficiencies and drive corrective action.Lead or support FMEAs, design and technical reviews, and issue resolution.Provide technical requirements and input for sourcing and supplier reviews.Resolve interfaces, dependencies, and design conflicts with Design Release Engineers and cross-functional teams.Ensure architecture deliverables are complete, technically sound, and aligned with program milestones.Communicate technical risks, trade-offs, decisions, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.Mentor engineers and improve electrical architecture methods, tools, standards, and documentation.Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical, Mechanical, or a related engineering discipline.5+ years of relevant experience in electrical systems, vehicle electrical engineering, design release, controls, harnesses, power distribution, embedded systems, or a related field.Professional experience in automotive electrical engineering, vehicle electrical systems, power or signal distribution, or a related field.Experience releasing electrical components, distribution designs, schematics, harnesses, or related engineering content.Proven ability to independently analyze and resolve complex technical problems and drive issues to closure.Experience collaborating with cross-functional Product Development teams, engineering suppliers and leading vehicle-level electrical architecture decisions.Knowledge of vehicle power and signal distribution, battery electrical centers, pre-fuse systems, circuit protection, wire sizing, and energy management.Experience with Capital Logic or similar electrical design, schematic, or harness engineering tools.Experience leading technical reviews, supplier discussions, FMEAs, and issue-resolution teams.Working knowledge of engineering software, architecture standards, design guidelines, net lists, release processes, and change management.Strong written, verbal, presentation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.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).Preferred Qualifications:MS in Electrical/Mechanical EngineeringDFSS Black Belt CertificationExperience with developing electrical device logical modelingExperience with EMI mitigation to meet EMC requirements.#GMDGM 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.This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis and successfully complete a Motor Vehicle Report review.The position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).About GMOur 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 UsWe 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 OverviewFrom 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. 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