Senior Design Release Engineer – Vehicle Closures

generalmotors; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is seeking a Senior Design Release Engineer to lead the design, engineering, and release of closure systems across vehicle programs. The role requires strong technical judgment, cross‑functional leadership, and the ability to deliver an integrated subsystem from development through launch.

You will collaborate with Design, Manufacturing, CAE, Dimensional Engineering, and program teams to balance innovation with manufacturing constraints, ensuring quality and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• 5+ years as a DRE or equivalent in full‑cycle product development.
• Strong understanding of engineering operations, release processes, and vehicle program phases.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and program management skills.
• Ability to make decisions in ambiguous environments.
• Experience with global OEMs/suppliers and body manufacturing processes (stamping, welding, hemming, tolerancing, surface quality, Body/Closure Dimensional metrics).

Responsibilities

• Lead closure subsystem development and integration with Design, Manufacturing, CAE, Dimensional Engineering, and program teams.
• Balance innovation, engineering requirements, manufacturing constraints, and program imperatives.
• Guide theme development, dimensional strategy, and interface alignment to ensure quality execution.
• Communicate effectively across internal and external partners.
• Provide technical leadership in closure system design, integration, and best‑practice application.
• Drive subsystem innovation while managing risk, timing, and quality.
• Understand manufacturing processes across Stamping, Body, Paint, and General Assembly.
• Lead the PDT (Product Development Tram) to meet all deliverables on time with strong integration and design fidelity.
• Execute quality chain elements, system design reviews, and program milestones.
• Manage releases, sourcing, validation plans, and build readiness through the VDP (Vehicle Development Plan).
• Apply robust engineering tools (DFSS, OPEX) to optimize design and enable high‑quality launches.
• Develop and execute dimensional strategy, including BIW assessments, fit strategy, capability analysis, and validation plans.
• Ensure GD&T aligns with assembly strategy and dimensional capability.
• Identify root causes of dimensional issues and partner with Manufacturing on process validation.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical skills

Program management

Decision making in ambiguity

Global OEMs/suppliers experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

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.

The Role

The Senior Design Release Engineer (DRE) leads the design, engineering, and release of closure systems across vehicle programs. This role requires strong technical judgment, cross‑functional leadership, and the ability to deliver an integrated, balanced subsystem from early development through launch.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

Subsystem Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Lead closure subsystem development and integration with Design, Manufacturing, CAE, Dimensional Engineering, and program teams.
• Balance innovation, engineering requirements, manufacturing constraints, and program imperatives.
• Guide theme development, dimensional strategy, and interface alignment to ensure quality execution.
• Communicate effectively across internal and external partners.

Technical Ownership

• Provide technical leadership in closure system design, integration, and best‑practice application.
• Apply knowledge of closure components, materials, regional differences, and competitive benchmarks.
• Drive subsystem innovation while managing risk, timing, and quality.
• Understand manufacturing processes across Stamping, Body, Paint, and General Assembly.

Product Development Team Leadership

• Lead the PDT (Product Development Tram) to meet all deliverables on time with strong integration and design fidelity.
• Execute quality chain elements, system design reviews, and program milestones.
• Manage releases, sourcing, validation plans, and build readiness through the VDP (Vehicle Development Plan).
• Apply robust engineering tools (DFSS, OPEX) to optimize design and enable high‑quality launches.

Dimensional Strategy & Issue Resolution

• Develop and execute dimensional strategy, including BIW assessments, fit strategy, capability analysis, and validation plans.
• Ensure GD&T aligns with assembly strategy and dimensional capability.
• Identify root causes of dimensional issues and partner with Manufacturing on process validation.

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• 5+ years as a DRE or equivalent in full‑cycle product development.
• Strong understanding of engineering operations, release processes, and vehicle program phases.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and program management skills.
• Ability to make decisions in ambiguous environments.
• Experience with global OEMs/suppliers and body manufacturing processes (stamping, welding, hemming, tolerancing, surface quality, Body/Closure Dimensional metrics).

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master of Science or other Advanced Degree.
• DFSS Black Belt Certification and Red X Journeyman.
• Experience in fixture design and product validation.

• Experience in budget plan development.
• Working knowledge of global regulations and physics‑based problem solving.
  

#LI-KM2

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. A company vehicle will only be provided for this role by passing the Motor Vehicle Report review.

About GM

Our 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.

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