Subsystem Architect - GM Defense

General Motors; Milford Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

GM Defense is seeking a Subsystem Architect to identify and evaluate subsystem building blocks for new defense products, lead trade studies, and drive data-based architectural recommendations across engineering teams. The role supports concept demonstrator builds and ensures alignment with program objectives and vehicle integration goals.

The successful candidate will have deep domain experience in one or more areas (Interior/Occupant, Chassis, Thermal, or Electrical Architecture) and a proven

Qualifications

• BSE or BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Systems Engineering (or equivalent).
• 8+ years of professional engineering experience in vehicle, subsystem, or product engineering.
• Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).
• Demonstrated experience in vehicle integration, subsystem architecture, or system-level engineering.
• Deep experience across the full breadth of a subsystem, including requirements, interfaces, packaging, performance, cost, validation, and implementation.
• Proven ability to evaluate multiple technical alternatives and make data-driven recommendations based on cost, mass, performance, packaging, and timing.
• Strong understanding of engineering theory and the principles of operation of mechanical and/or electrical systems.
• Experience leading or supporting structured trade studies, decision matrices, and technical reviews.

Responsibilities

• Identify subsystem architecture options and building-block alternatives for new GM Defense vehicle and product applications.
• Lead trade studies that compare technical alternatives using packaging, performance, cost, mass, and timing as primary evaluation criteria.
• Translate product and customer needs into subsystem-level architectural requirements, assumptions, and decision criteria.
• Partner with design, systems, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, finance, and program teams to assess solution feasibility and integration risk.
• Develop recommendation packages that clearly communicate trade-offs, key assumptions, risks, and proposed path forward.
• Support early concept development by evaluating carryover, modified, and new-design subsystem solutions.
• Assess subsystem compatibility with overall vehicle and product architecture, including physical integration and interface impacts.
• Drive alignment on subsystem decisions by facilitating technical reviews and cross-functional discussions.
• Support issue resolution when subsystem architecture decisions affect program execution, integration, build, or test outcomes.
• Assist in developing build instructions and related technical documentation to enable efficient concept demonstrator assembly.
• Resolve build issues during concept demonstrator execution by working with engineering and build teams to identify root cause and implement corrective actions.
• Assess and address subsystem and vehicle performance issues observed during concept demonstrator builds and evaluations, driving improvements into future architectural recommendations.
• Create and maintain engineering analyses, comparison matrices, and decision documentation to support leadership reviews and program checkpoints.
• Contribute to program planning by identifying architecture-related timing risks, dependency impacts, and decision gates.
• Assist Chief Engineers, Program Engineering Managers, and engineering leaders with technical recommendations, scenario analysis, and product definition decisions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of overall vehicle and program success.

Skills

Subsystem architecture

Trade studies

Systems engineering

Vehicle integration

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Education

BSE or BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Systems Engineering

Job description

The Role

GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, and autonomy and connectivity solutions for global defense, security and government customers. By leveraging GM's advanced commercial vehicle platforms, engineering expertise and large-scale manufacturing, GM Defense rapidly adapts proven technologies into military-grade, mission-ready solutions that help customers improve mobility, readiness and sustainment while managing cost and complexity.

The Subsystem Architect is responsible for identifying and evaluating alternative subsystem building blocks for new GM Defense products for global military and government customers, as well as industry partners, while also supporting the planning and execution of concept demonstrator builds. This role leads structured trade studies to compare feasible solutions and recommend the best overall product approach based on packaging, performance, cost, mass, and timing. In addition, this role helps turn selected concepts into demonstrator hardware by supporting component sourcing, build planning, issue resolution, and performance assessment. As a senior individual contributor, you will work across engineering teams to define subsystem concepts, align technical decisions, and drive data-based architecture recommendations that support program objectives.

This posting supports multiple Subsystem Architect openings in the following areas: 1) Interior/Occupant Accommodations 2) Chassis 3) Thermal, and 4) Electrical Architecture. Successful candidates will bring deep technical expertise in one or more of these domains while applying a common architectural and trade-study approach to support overall product success.

What You'll Do

• Identify subsystem architecture options and building-block alternatives for new GM Defense vehicle and product applications.
• Lead trade studies that compare technical alternatives using packaging, performance, cost, mass, and timing as primary evaluation criteria.
• Translate product and customer needs into subsystem-level architectural requirements, assumptions, and decision criteria.
• Partner with design, systems, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, finance, and program teams to assess solution feasibility and integration risk.
• Develop recommendation packages that clearly communicate trade-offs, key assumptions, risks, and proposed path forward.
• Support early concept development by evaluating carryover, modified, and new-design subsystem solutions.
• Assess subsystem compatibility with overall vehicle and product architecture, including physical integration and interface impacts.
• Drive alignment on subsystem decisions by facilitating technical reviews and cross-functional discussions.
• Support issue resolution when subsystem architecture decisions affect program execution, integration, build, or test outcomes.
• Support the planning and execution of concept demonstrator builds, including ordering component parts and coordinating material needs.
• Assist in developing build instructions and related technical documentation to enable efficient concept demonstrator assembly.
• Resolve build issues during concept demonstrator execution by working with engineering and build teams to identify root cause and implement corrective actions.
• Assess and address subsystem and vehicle performance issues observed during concept demonstrator builds and evaluations, driving improvements into future architectural recommendations.
• Create and maintain engineering analyses, comparison matrices, and decision documentation to support leadership reviews and program checkpoints.
• Contribute to program planning by identifying architecture-related timing risks, dependency impacts, and decision gates.
• Assist Chief Engineers, Program Engineering Managers, and engineering leaders with technical recommendations, scenario analysis, and product definition decisions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of overall vehicle and program success.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• BSE or BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of professional engineering experience in vehicle, subsystem, or product engineering.
• Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).
• Demonstrated experience in vehicle integration, subsystem architecture, or system-level engineering.
• Deep experience across the full breadth of a subsystem, including requirements, interfaces, packaging, performance, cost, validation, and implementation, gained through work on multiple programs.
• Proven ability to evaluate multiple technical alternatives and make data-driven recommendations based on cost, mass, performance, packaging, and timing.
• Strong understanding of engineering theory and the principles of operation of mechanical and/or electrical systems.
• Experience leading or supporting structured trade studies, decision matrices, and techn