Design Release Engineer - GM Defense

Job Description

General Motors Defense has multiple positions open! Please apply to be considered for a role in: Chassis, Body, Interior, Electrical, Software, Powertrain/RESS

About GM Defense

GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles and mobility solutions to defense, government, and security customers by leveraging the best of General Motors’ commercial technologies. We rapidly adapt proven architectures, components, and processes from GM’s global portfolio to meet demanding military and government requirements for performance, survivability, reliability, and total lifecycle cost.

The Role

GM Defense is seeking Design Release Engineers (Level 6) to support the design, release, integration, validation, and lifecycle management of key vehicle subsystems on current and future defense programs.

Open roles support the following domains:

• Chassis (frame, suspension, steering, brakes, wheels/tires, driveline)

• Body / Exterior / Structures (BIW, closures, armor integration, exteriors, glazing, underbody)

• Interior (seating, restraints, IP/console, trim, HVAC interfaces, human factors)

• Electrical (low-voltage distribution, harnesses, controllers, sensors/actuators, power management)

• Software / Controls (embedded software, vehicle features, diagnostics, cybersecurity, integration of COTS and defense-specific software)

• Powertrain / RESS (engine integration, transmission/driveline interfaces, cooling, fuel systems, propulsion packaging, high-voltage battery systems, battery controls, charging interfaces, energy management)

In this role, you will support end-to-end engineering delivery for assigned components and subsystem areas, working closely with subsystem leads and cross-functional teams to ensure GM Defense solutions meet performance, safety, quality, cost, schedule, and compliance targets.

What You'll Do

Design & Release

• Own the design and release of assigned components and subsystem elements from concept through production and sustainment

• Translate system, customer, regulatory, and military requirements into component- and subsystem-level design requirements

• Develop and maintain engineering deliverables including BOMs, drawings, specifications, CAD data, DFMEAs, and DVPRs

• Execute formal SOR, ICD creation and part release and change management in GMD systems,

• Support packaging, integration, manufacturability, serviceability, and maintainability of assigned designs

Validation & Issue Resolution

• Support definition, development and execution of validation plans across bench, vehicle, and field test environments

• Drive issue identification, root cause analysis, containment, and corrective action using structured problem-solving methods

• Support safety, durability, EMC, environmental, and survivability testing as applicable to the subsystem

• Resolve design, test, build, and field issues in partnership with integration, quality, manufacturing, and supplier teams

Cross-Functional Integration

• Work closely with systems engineering, vehicle integration, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management teams

• Coordinate with suppliers and technical partners to review designs, analyses, validation results, and issue resolution plans

• Support build events at GM and partner sites, helping resolve integration and launch issues in real time

• Collaborate across adjacent subsystems to ensure robust technical interfaces and compatible designs

Program Execution

• Support engineering timing, deliverables, risk tracking, and mitigation planning for assigned work scope

• Provide clear technical status and issue updates to subsystem and program leadership

• Support RFI/RFP responses and engineering planning activities as needed

• Contribute technical recommendations based on data, analysis, and test results

Compliance & Configuration

• Ensure assigned designs comply with relevant military standards, regulations, and customer requirements

• Maintain accurate configuration management across program phases, variants, and engineering changes

• Support export control, security, and customer-specific compliance requirements as applicable

Domain-Specific Focus Areas

Chassis DRE

• Support design and release of frame, tie down and sling load points, suspension, steering, braking, wheels/tires, and driveline components

• Help balance ride/handling, payload, towing, mobility, durability, and survivability requirements

• Integrate commercial chassis content with defense-specific payloads, armor, and mobility upgrades

• Support validation and issue resolution related to vehicle dynamics, braking, durability, NVH, and rollover performance

Body / Exterior DRE

• Support design and release of body-in-white, closures, exteriors, glazing, underbody systems, and armor integration interfaces

• Develop solutions that support crew protection, mission payloads, manufacturability, and maintainability

• Ensure robust sealing, corrosion protection, and environmental performance

• Support packaging and integration of antennas, external sensors, racks, and mission equipment on body structures

Interior DRE

• Support design and release of seating systems, restraints, interior trim, IP/console, stowage, and crew interface elements

• Help ensure interior designs meet ergonomics, safety, human factors, and mission-effectiveness targets

• Integrate HVAC, communications, displays, controls, and power/data interfaces into the interior environment

• Support trade-offs across comfort, durability, cleanability, and rapid reconfiguration for mission flexibility

Electrical DRE

• Support design and release of power distribution, harnesses, junction boxes, controllers, lighting, sensors/actuators, and subsystem interfaces

• Develop electrical solutions that support mission systems, robustness, redundancy, and serviceability

• Ensure compliance with EMC/EMI, environmental, safety, and cybersecurity requirements in partnership with specialists

• Coordinate with software & controls to ensure robust electrical and data interfaces

Software / Controls DRE

• Design, develop, and test complex embedded vehicle controls utilizing C hand code, MATLAB, and Simulink.

• Integrate control algorithms and troubleshoot serial data communications (VIP, CAN, Ethernet) across vehicle subsystems and controllers.

• Develop and release software within an Agile framework, utilizing GM’s CI/CD, development, and testing toolchains (Optimus, Git, Jenkins, Jira, ETAS, VSpy).

• Execute hardware/software integration and issue resolution through vehicle builds, HIL/SIL testing, and data logging analysis.

• Translate SORs and P-Specs into functional code, balancing GM commercial best practices with strict defense specifications.

Powertrain / RESS DRE

• Support propulsion system integration, including engine, transmission, driveline interfaces, cooling, fuel systems, mounts, and subsystem packaging

• Support Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) design release and integration, including battery pack, mounting, thermal interfaces, serviceability, and protection strategies

• Help balance performance, range, mobility, survivability, thermal performance, packaging, mass, and reliability requirements

• Support validation and issue resolution for propulsion and RESS-related requirements including durability, thermal performance, environmental robustness, safety, diagnostics, and vehicle-level integration

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

• 3+ years of relevant product engineering experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, defense, aerospace, or a closely related industry

• Demonstrated experience in design release, product development, or subsystem engineering for complex engineered products

• Experience supporting work through concept, design, validation, launch, and field support

• Experience working in CAD/CAE and PLM environments, including formal change management and part release processes

• Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and issue resolution skills in a fast-paced engineering environment

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams

• Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline

• Direct experience with military or government vehicle programs, standards, or acquisition processes

• Familiarity with GM engineering processes, systems, and tools, including bills of material, release systems, and vehicle development processes

• Experience in one or more of the following:

• Chassis: vehicle dynamics, durability, off-road mobility, heavy payloads

• Body: crashworthiness, armor integration, blast/ballistic considerations, advanced materials

• Interior: human factors, safety systems, occupant packaging, ruggedized interiors

• Electrical: high-demand power distribution, EMC/EMI, ruggedized harness design

• Software: embedded controls, AUTOSAR or similar architectures, diagnostics, cybersecurity

• Powertrain / RESS: propulsion integration, thermal management, battery systems, energy management, charging interfaces, high-voltage safety, diagnostics

• Prior work in low- to medium-volume, highly configured products and/or rapid prototyping environments

• Experience supporting build events, fielding, or sustainment for defense or commercial fleets

Work Location & Travel

• Primary work location: GM Global Technical Center (Warren, MI) or other GM Defense-designated engineering sites

• Regular on-site presence expected to support labs, builds, and cross-functional collaboration

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically, and occasionally internationally, to test sites, supplier locations, and customer facilities as required

#GMD

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 and successfully complete a Motor Vehicle Report review.

The position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

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