Energy Optimization Leader

Description

Hybrid - This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren, Michigan, three times per week, at minimum [or other frequency dictated by the business.]

Sponsorship: GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship (e.g. H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) now or in the future.

The Role

The Energy Optimization Leader plays a pivotal role in driving energy and water performance across GM’s North American manufacturing facilities. This position is responsible for partnering with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to identify, develop, and implement projects and operational strategies that reduce energy and water consumption, improve operational efficiency, and support GM’s decarbonization and sustainability goals.

The role combines deep technical understanding of industrial energy systems (e.g., HVAC, compressed air, process loads, lighting, chilled water, steam, and other utilities) with strong program leadership and stakeholder engagement skills. The Energy Optimization Leader serves as a subject-matter expert and portfolio owner for their assigned manufacturing sites, ensuring alignment to 4000-Account budgets, PL1/MEI targets, 50001 Ready efforts, and broader Energy & Water Optimization strategy.

You will collaborate extensively with:

Plant leadership, Manufacturing Engineering, Facilities (FAM, SUM, ME), and operations teams at the manufacturing facilities

Energy Conservation Engineers (ECEs) and local utilities/program partners

Finance, Sustainability, Environmental, and boarder Global Energy Procurement, Reliability, & Optimization teams

What You’ll Do

Own energy and water performance for a portfolio of manufacturing facilities, serving as the primary contact and subject-matter expert for site leadership and ECEs.

Partner with plant teams to identify, quantify, and prioritize energy and water improvement opportunities and projects that support 4000-Account budgets, PL1/MEI targets, and sustainability goals.

Support annual and mid-year planning for energy budgets, forecasts, and KPI targets, using data from EnergyCAP, TimberRock, Energy OnStar, building management systems, and other tools.

Review and support energy project proposals and approvals ensuring sound savings calculations, data quality, and alignment with GM processes and funding criteria.

Represent Energy & Water Optimization in recurring cross-functional forums and provide concise performance updates, scorecards, and countermeasures to plant and Energy Procurement, Reliability, & Optimization leadership.

Share best practices across sites and help build energy management capability in ECEs and plant teams through coaching, training, and clear guidance.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline (e.g., mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial, energy systems) or a bachelor’s degree in another field with significant relevant experience.

7+ years of relevant experience in energy, utilities, and/or industrial manufacturing, with direct exposure to plant operations and systems.

Demonstrated experience with energy and water optimization in industrial settings, particularly in one or more of the following:

HVAC and building systems (AHUs, chillers, boilers, cooling towers)

Compressed air and industrial ventilation

Process cooling and industrial refrigeration

Paint systems

Lighting and controls

Water and wastewater treatment or process water systems

Proven track record leading or supporting multi-stakeholder projects in manufacturing environments, including:

Identifying and quantifying savings opportunities

Building business cases and working with Finance

Supporting implementation and verifying post-project performance

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work with interval data, metering systems, dashboards, and utility billing information to drive decisions.

Ability to build trust and influence across levels and functions, including plant managers, engineers, maintenance teams, and external partners.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex topics into clear, action-oriented messages.

Willingness and ability to travel regularly to manufacturing facilities within the portfolio (frequency will vary based on business needs).

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or equivalent professional certification in energy management or related field.

Experience with ISO 50001/50001 Ready and/or Strategic Energy Management (SEM) programs.

Prior experience as an Energy Optimization Leader, Energy Conservation Engineer, facilities/utility engineer, or similar role supporting automotive or large industrial facilities.

Familiarity with utility incentive programs, demand response, and energy procurement considerations.

Demonstrated success leading or facilitating energy and water treasure hunts or similar multi-day, cross-functional events.

Strong sense of teamwork and shared achievement of portfolio and corporate targets.

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

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}.

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

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.

Why Join Us 

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Total Rewards | Benefits Overview

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Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws. 

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

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