Senior Exterior Performance Designer

generalmotors; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is seeking a Lead Creative Designer – Performance Studio in Warren, MI to lead exterior performance design for GM performance vehicles. You will guide a small design team, shape brand DNA, and collaborate with Engineering, Aerodynamics, and Marketing to balance aesthetics with feasibility.

You will develop sketches, renderings, and digital models with a strong sense of emotion and performance authenticity, while staying ahead of trends in motorsports and enthusiast communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation Design or related field from an accredited institution.
• 7+ years of professional automotive exterior design experience with a strong portfolio.
• Proven experience leading design themes or sub-programs from concept through production in close partnership with clay/digital sculpting and engineering.
• Expert sketching and visualization abilities (traditional and digital) plus proficiency in key design/visualization tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Alias, Blender, VRED or similar).
• Deep understanding of proportion, surfacing, aeroprinciples, and performance design language, with strong communication, collaboration, mentoring skills, and ability to work on-site in Warren, MI.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development of exterior performance design concepts for new and existing GM performance vehicles, programs, and accessories, from early ideation through production implementation.
• Define and communicate a compelling performance design vision that aligns with each brand’s DNA and GM’s overall design strategy.
• Generate high-quality sketches, renderings, and digital models that explore proportion, surface development, graphics, and aero elements with a strong sense of emotion, stance, and performance authenticity.
• Direct, mentor, and inspire a small team of creative designers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence in craft.
• Partner closely with Studio leadership, Clay and Digital Sculpting, Engineering, Aerodynamics, Performance Engineering, Marketing, and Program Management to balance design intent with feasibility, performance targets, cost, and timing.
• Champion brand-appropriate performance graphics, color-breaks, and visual signatures that reinforce vehicle identity on both road and track, leveraging GM’s digital design workflows to refine quality and accelerate decision-making.
• Monitor industry, motorsports, and cultural trends related to performance, customization, and enthusiast communities and advocate for the customer and enthusiast perspective in all design decisions.

Skills

Exterior design

Performance design

Leadership

Mentoring

Sketching & visualization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Transportation Design

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Alias

Blender

VRED

Clay/Digital Sculpting

Job description

General Motors is seeking a Lead Creative Designer – Performance Studio in Warren, MI to lead exterior performance design for GM performance vehicles. You will guide a small design team, shape brand DNA, and collaborate with Engineering, Aerodynamics, and Marketing to balance aesthetics with feasibility.

You will develop sketches, renderings, and digital models with a strong sense of emotion and performance authenticity, while staying ahead of trends in motorsports and enthusiast communities.