Lab Group Manager: Advanced Manufacturing R&D Leader

General Motors; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors seeks a Lab Group Manager to lead scientists and engineers in inventing and validating next-gen manufacturing technologies for GM’s factories. You’ll shape the research portfolio, manage projects, and collaborate across R&D, manufacturing, IT, and universities globally.

The role emphasizes leadership, safety culture, and delivering high-quality research with publications and evidence for deployment at scale. Hybrid work with relocation support available.

Qualifications

• PhD in Science or Engineering or Master’s + 5–7 years experience in related area.
• Proven experience as a technical leader and a people leader.
• Hands-on innovation management from ideation through deployment.
• Deep expertise in manufacturing technology, including design, build and testing in high-volume environments.
• Ability to drive collaboration across diverse teams, peers and partners.
• Strong critical-thinking skills in manufacturing and operations.

Responsibilities

• Set the vision and strategy for advanced manufacturing research across disciplines.
• Lead and grow a high-performing team of scientists and engineers.
• Design and oversee experiments and research programs to validate concepts.
• Turn insights into impact through reports, publications and disclosures.
• Build and manage a focused project portfolio addressing GM’s manufacturing challenges.
• Coordinate internal and external capabilities to accelerate learning and impact.
• Champion a strong safety culture in the lab and ensure proper PPE and procedures.
• Serve as a scientific specialist and communicate results to leadership.
• Expand skills and stay at the state of the art in robotics and automation.
• Help make GM R&D a workplace of choice by aligning with HR and people development.
• Partner with Director and peers to shape broader strategy.
• Communicate challenges and results to R&D leadership and executives.
• Shape and execute an IP strategy to protect GM’s advantage.
• Track industry trends and identify future skills.
• Build relationships across GM engineering and external partners.
• Bring entrepreneurial mindset and strong execution to turn ideas into value.

Skills

PhD in Science or Engineering

Technical leadership

People leadership

Innovation management

Manufacturing technology

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in Science or Engineering or Master’s + 5–7 years experience

Job description

General Motors seeks a Lab Group Manager to lead scientists and engineers in inventing and validating next-gen manufacturing technologies for GM’s factories. You’ll shape the research portfolio, manage projects, and collaborate across R&D, manufacturing, IT, and universities globally.

The role emphasizes leadership, safety culture, and delivering high-quality research with publications and evidence for deployment at scale. Hybrid work with relocation support available.