Electrical Engineering Systems Lead - GM Defense

General Motors LLC; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

GM Defense is seeking an Electrical System Engineer to define and integrate electrical systems for government programs and special projects. You will translate requirements into vehicle‑level electrical solutions spanning high- and low‑voltage power distribution, interfaces, wiring, and subsystems.

You’ll work with cross‑functional teams to ensure compliant, safe, and effective designs. Responsibilities include leading architecture definition, developing schematics and interfaces, and evaluating

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Mechanical/Systems Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in electrical systems, vehicle electrical engineering, controls, harnesses, power distribution, embedded systems, or a related field.
• Experience with high‑voltage and/or electrified vehicle systems, including power distribution, interfaces, cables, protection, grounding, and safety.
• Experience developing or reviewing electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, interface documents, or system block diagrams.
• Working knowledge of vehicle communications and networked systems, such as CAN, CAN‑FD, LIN, or Ethernet.
• Strong problem‑solving, technical writing, presentation, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical architecture definition for new and derivative defense vehicle platforms.
• Translate government, customer, mission, and vehicle requirements into electrical system requirements, architecture decisions, and interface definitions.
• Define vehicle‑level electrical topologies, power distribution, network architecture, system boundaries, and low‑voltage power‑management concepts.
• Architect and integrate high‑voltage systems, including batteries, power conversion, propulsion interfaces, high‑voltage cables, contactors, service disconnects, grounding, shielding, and safety features.
• Define interfaces among ECUs, sensors, actuators, power electronics, controllers, displays, communication networks, and mission equipment.
• Define low‑voltage power distribution, circuit protection, wake‑up and shutdown behavior, grounding, connector strategy, and electrical load‑management concepts.
• Develop and review schematics, wiring concepts, interface control documents, netlists, block diagrams, and architecture specifications.
• Evaluate COTS and custom technologies, balancing technical performance, mission suitability, supply risk, integration complexity, cost, and schedule.
• Identify and resolve cross‑functional electrical issues, including interface conflicts, power‑quality concerns, EMC risks, network limitations, thermal constraints, and packaging conflicts.
• Ensure architecture decisions support automotive, defense, functional‑safety, cybersecurity, EMC, and export‑control requirements.
• Support proposals, statements of work, technical volumes, compliance matrices, and customer presentations while providing technical leadership.

Skills

Electrical systems

High‑voltage systems

CAN/CAN‑FD/Ethernet networks

Systems thinking

Cross‑functional collaboration

Technical writing

Problem solving

Motor vehicle operation knowledge

Education

BS in Electrical/Mechanical/Systems Engineering or related

Tools

INCA

Vspy

Simulink

Capital Tools

Job description

Job Description About GM Defense GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, and autonomy and 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

The Electrical System Engineer (SE) defines and integrates electrical systems for incoming government programs and special projects. This role translates customer, government, and mission requirements into practical vehicle-level solutions spanning high- and low-voltage power distribution, interfaces, wiring, controls, communications, and subsystem integration. A combination of technical theory and hands‑on skills with the confidence and ability to be self-directed in a small team environment will be needed. This role will work with SE's from multiple domain areas (Propulsion/Electrification, Thermal, Survivability, Autonomous, Body, Interior, Chassis, etc.) to develop the entire vehicle design solution that meets the requirements of the Business Development proposal. If the proposal is selected to move forward into production, the SE will guide the team through execution of the project and support the DREs to release parts as needed to support the launch. In addition, key engagement is expected between the internal product owners and vehicle program management.

We are seeking Systems Engineers with priority in the areas of Electrical Architecture Systems Engineering.

What You’ll Do

• Lead electrical architecture definition for new and derivative defense vehicle platforms.
• Translate government, customer, mission, and vehicle requirements into electrical system requirements, architecture decisions, and interface definitions.
• Define vehicle‑level electrical topologies, power distribution, network architecture, system boundaries, and low‑voltage power‑management concepts.
• Architect and integrate high‑voltage systems, including batteries, power conversion, propulsion interfaces, high‑voltage cables, contactors, service disconnects, grounding, shielding, and safety features.
• Define interfaces among ECUs, sensors, actuators, power electronics, controllers, displays, communication networks, and mission equipment.
• Define low‑voltage power distribution, circuit protection, wake‑up and shutdown behavior, grounding, connector strategy, and electrical load‑management concepts.
• Develop and review schematics, wiring concepts, interface control documents, netlists, block diagrams, and architecture specifications.
• Evaluate commercial off‑the‑shelf (COTS) and custom technologies, balancing technical performance, mission suitability, supply risk, integration complexity, cost, and schedule.
• Identify and resolve cross‑functional electrical issues, including interface conflicts, power‑quality concerns, electromagnetic compatibility risks, network limitations, thermal constraints, and packaging conflicts.
• Ensure architecture decisions support applicable automotive, defense, functional‑safety, cybersecurity, electromagnetic compatibility, and export‑control requirements.
• Support proposals, statements of work, technical volumes, compliance matrices, and customer presentations while providing technical leadership to engineers and suppliers.
• Ensure designs meet applicable automotive, defense, functional‑safety, cybersecurity, EMI/EMC, export‑control, and ITAR requirements, support component packaging and design studies.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• BS in Electrical/Mechanical/Systems Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in electrical systems, vehicle electrical engineering, controls, harnesses, power distribution, embedded systems, or a related field.
• Experience with high‑voltage and/or electrified vehicle systems, including power distribution, interfaces, cables, protection, grounding, and safety.
• Experience developing or reviewing electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, interface documents, or system block diagrams.
• Working knowledge of vehicle communications and networked systems, such as CAN, CAN‑FD, LIN, or Ethernet.
• Experience analyzing requirements, managing interface dependencies, and making technical decisions in ambiguous or complex environments.
• Strong problem‑solving, technical writing, presentation, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Electrical circuit board experience (Breadboarding, robotics, Arduino, etc. [Design/troubleshooting]).
• Deep understanding of Alternating Current (AC) theory and principles (Power Factor, Rectifiers, Inverters, etc.).
• Advanced/execution‑level DRE, VSE, and/or architecture experience, with a thorough understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Extensive level of analytical ability where problems are unusual, difficult or complex.
• Ability to work as needed 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)

• MS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience with defense or tactical vehicle platforms, mission equipment, or military standards.
• EMI/EMC design, mitigation, analysis, and testing experience.
• Experience with wire schematics, Capital Tools, net‑list generation, and electrical component or harness packaging.
• Familiarity with Global A, Global B/VIP, and SDV electrical architectures.
• Serial Data MAC knowledge/application (Method Authentication Code).
• Experience in INCA, Vspy and Simulink DFSS Black Belt certification.
• Vehicle Launch Experience.
• #GMD 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. 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).

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