Engineering Technical Leader - Interiors

General Motors Company; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle program

Job summary

General Motors is seeking an Engineering Technical Leader to guide IP/Console/Decorative Trim programs with safety, quality, and cost discipline. You’ll lead a ~10-person team of DREs and Technical Specialists, driving robust design and disciplined execution across GM vehicle platforms.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in automotive engineering, strong leadership and global collaboration skills, and a track record of launching complex IP systems with cross‑functional partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in engineering required; advanced degrees preferred.
• 10+ years automotive engineering, IP/Deco/Floor Console experience.
• Sub-system design in IP, decorative trim, and related systems.
• Strong understanding of requirements, regulations, and vehicle trade-offs.
• Proven product development from concept to launch; cross-functional impact.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and drive program alignment.

Responsibilities

• Lead IP/Console/Deco/Mechanisms DREs across programs to meet milestones.
• Act as technical expert for IP/Console/Deco/Mechanisms and components.
• Drive design reviews ensuring alignment with BOM strategies and requirements.
• Collaborate with ETLs for coherence, robustness, and cross-program consistency.
• Promote DFSS, DFMEA quality, peer reviews for quality improvements.
• Lead analytical decisions and data-driven robustness validation.
• Resolve escalated technical issues with global teams and stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Design Studio, Vehicle Architecture, SMT and Manufacturing.
• Support innovation in IP Trim and ambient lighting via partnerships.

Skills

People leadership

Cross-functional comms

Technical leadership

DFMEA quality

System integration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Master of Science – Engineering

MBA

Job description

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.

Every day, our products move millions of peopleas we aim to makedriving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale..

Company Vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.

The Role

As an Engineering Technical Leader (ETL) you will be a leader and expert in Interior IP, Console, Mechanisms and Decorative Trim programs with an unwavering focus on safety, quality, technical excellence, and flawless execution. You will be responsible for setting the future of the commodity while enabling disciplined delivery to all GVDP milestones while enabling beautiful design execution and achieving cost, quality, and performance targets across GM the vehicle portfolio. This role serves as a people leader for approximately 10 Design and Release Engineers (DREs) and Technical Specialists (TS), bringing strong engineering fundamentals, system thinking, and technical rigor to all interior system releases.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

Program & Technical Leadership

• Lead a high‑performing team of IP/Console/Deco/Mechanisms DREs across multiple programs to deliver GVDP milestones with discipline and engineering excellence.
• Be the technical expert for anything related to IP/Console/Deco/Mechanisms and it’s components.
• Conduct and drive technical design reviews , ensuring solutions are aligned with BOM row strategies, meet functional/performance requirements, and uphold GM engineering fundamentals.
• Partner closely with other ETL’s to maintain technical coherence, design robustness, and cross‑program consistency.
• Champion DFMEA quality, robust design, peer reviews, and DFSS methodology to achieve “read‑across” improvements that lift global quality.

Systems Engineering, Robustness & Issue Resolution

• Drive an analytical foundation for design decisions, enabling data‑driven engineering and robustness validation.
• Lead escalated technical issue resolution and partner with ETLs, TS, VSEs, Validation, and global teams to ensure timely and technically sound solutions.
• Ensure smooth alignment with System Safety, GPSC, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Program Leadership .

Strategic Collaboration & Innovation

• Collaborate with the Design Studio , Vehicle Architecture, SMT Leadership, and Manufacturing to balance customer experience, feasibility, craftsmanship, and cost.
• Support innovation and new technology introduction for IP Trim, Floor Console, and Deco/Ambient Lighting systems through supplier partnerships and enterprise technology roadmaps.
• Understand and implement use of automation on Manufacturing when applicable/appropriate.
• Maintain a Technology Roadmap demonstrating future direction of the commodity

Operational Excellence & Enterprise Alignment

• Actively contribute to business strategic initiatives including CAE‑driven design, virtual execution, automation, faster development and enhanced supply chain.
• Lead supply chain evaluation and technical assessment.
• Maintain process discipline through the hardware operating system, including documentation, lessons‑learned read‑across, risk management, and disciplined engineering execution.

People Leadership

• Inspire, coach, and develop DREs and technical specialists, guide career growth, talent acceleration, and technical maturity.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, psychological safety, and development.
• Strengthen knowledge management, drive global alignment, and build technical depth across the broader team.

What You’ll Need (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering
• 10+ years of automotive engineering experience, preferably in Instrument Panel, Deco and Floor Console development with demonstrated levels of outstanding performance.
• Demonstrated sub-system expertise in injection molded trim, foam-in-place, thermoformed skins, and cut and sew wrapping of substrates.
• Detailed knowledge of Instrument Panel, Decorative Trim, and Floor Console performance requirements including applicable regulations and best practices.
• Demonstrated early product development to launch expertise and capability.
• Thorough understanding of Instrument Panel, Floor Console system requirements and potential vehicle trade-offs
• Demonstrated expertise in component/subsystem design and development , with strong proficiency in design execution, engineering fundamentals, and vehicle integration.
• Proven people leadership skills with ability to motivate, develop, and manage engineering talent.
• Strong cross‑functional communication skills, with ability to explain complex technical topics across SMTs and global teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity , make timely decisions, and drive program alignment.
• Success working with global counterparts and balancing diverse regional requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with composure, discipline, and executional excellence.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master of Science – Engineering
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• 15+ years of automotive engineering experience, preferably in Instrument Panel, Deco and Floor Console development with demonstrated levels of outstanding performance.
• DFSS Green Belt and Black Belt
• Previous experience in IP, Console, Decorative Trim or Interiors engineering leadership roles
• Experience partnering with Technical Leaders and Technical Specialists to drive system‑level engineering excellence
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑program technical strategy, quality read‑across, and enterprise alignment
• Recognized technical knowledge through patents and recognitions from forums of expertise

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