Staff/Thermal System Architect

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 people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

The Role

The Staff Thermal System Architect and Thermal System Architect primary responsibilities are to provide technical leadership and guidance for the development and integration of the thermal system inclusive of propulsion, cabin and vehicle thermal management. In these roles, you will be responsible for configuration of all thermal components, ensuring alignment with defined strategies, criteria compliance, and program specific desires. Candidates must be knowledgeable of all internal and external components of the thermal system and how they work together to deliver with quality the performance requirements set per the vehicle level technical specifications. They must drive a consistent design execution across all platforms while balancing subsystem level tradeoffs, studio and program “wins”.    

Candidates must hold selves and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost-effective results, without compromising integrity, safety or quality. Be proficient at communication and leading an indirect global team maintaining connection via well-organized and efficient system review forums. These roles require a leader who can think creatively under pressure, make sound technical and business decisions with incomplete information, work calmly in a highly ambiguous and frequently changing program portfolio, and influence across organizations to protect vehicle-level thermal performance, customer experience, and program imperatives. Candidates must be comfortable providing technical presentations to internal, program and cross functional leadership.

What You’ll Do

Technical

Champion cross-commodity integration (Thermal, HVAC, PTC, Aero, Structures, Propulsion, Controls, Energy, Calibration) to deliver cohesive vehicle-level thermal performance.

Own and drive thermal system integration for active thermal domains (coolant and refrigerant loops, HVAC, Propulsion Cooling, airflow, thermal protection of sensitive components) through early architecture and development phases.

Lead the team in creative problem solving for complex thermal performance conflicts. Proficient use of trade matrices (performance vs. cost, mass, energy, packaging), to enable proper leadership decision making especially under compressed timing .

Guide use of analytical tools and methods (e.g., 0D/1D/3D analysis, simulation, virtual builds, sensitivity studies) to rapidly evaluate alternatives and recommend data-driven solutions.

Ensure accurate and timely documentation of technical decisions, risks, and mitigations in GM systems (e.g., VTS tools, GDM, peer review records).

Provide consistent support in CITs, SDITs, VCITs and VPITs .  Emphasize technical direction within these forums.                   

Lead program specific thermal system benchmarking , evaluating competitor designs, performance, and integration strategies, identifying opportunities to enhance performance, efficiency, integration and cost-effectiveness in our system.

Ensure robust handoffs from AVD to execution teams with clear VTS, system mechanisms, thermal load cases, and lessons learned.

8th Level System Architect (in addition to above)

Champion architectural cross-commodity integration (Thermal, HVAC, PTC, Aero, Structures, Propulsion, Controls, Energy, Calibration) to deliver cohesive vehicle-level thermal performance.

Drives improvements that impact business results , creates and drives organizational opportunities .

Anticipates issues for self and others, encourages bold, pioneering approaches , and applies strategic thinking .

Mentors the team in creative problem solving for complex thermal performance conflicts. Proficient use of trade matrices (performance vs. cost, mass, energy, packaging), to enable proper leadership decision making especially under compressed timing.

Leadership and Communication

Lead cross-functional teams to resolve highly complex technical issues , leveraging advanced research, benchmarking and available knowledge base. Aligning with Chief Architect, ETL and tech specialists for consistent strategy and efficiency.                              

Build relationships with design studio staff, integration team and program leadership, providing an open mind and a vision for what could be while keeping the customer in the center of design decisions

Coordination and communication of engineering criteria and performance glidepaths with Integration team (VMA’s/CAM’s/SAM’s, studio)  to streamline the design process  and support Studio design with minimal rework.

Supporting and encouraging DREs to be bold in speaking up and defending their designs.

Collaborate with VSEs, EGM’s, DRE’s, ETL, Virtual Analysis, LDE, Manufacturing and Program Team to ensure key program deliverables are met

Effectively facilitate meetings and publish necessary documentation for clarity and alignment

8th Level System Architect (in addition to above)

Leads by example , challenges others to greater integrity, and drives adaptability, encouraging resilience and early adoption .

Effective communication with minimal leadership intervention and adds persuasion and influence to align stakeholders with organizational goals.

Mentoring DREs to be bold in speaking up and defending their designs and criteria.

Your Skills & Abilities

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluids Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field

Minimum of 5+ years in thermal systems engineering for automotive or related industries, including significant exposure to:

HVAC and cabin comfort

Coolant and refrigerant loops

Underhood/underbody airflow and thermal protection of sensitive components

Active Aero

Energy management and thermal interactions with propulsion systems

Proven technical depth in thermal engineering , with the ability to review and challenge system architectures, performance analysis, and identify disruptive technology.

Strong communication and influencing skills , including ability to simplify complex thermal topics for non-experts and gain alignment across organizations

High level of interpersonal skills to work effectively with others

DFSS Black Belt Certification

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Working knowledge of GM engineering processes and tools (e.g., VTS/SSTS/CTS/SOR, VDP, peer reviews, GDM, GMW standards) or equivalent experience in a structured OEM environment.

Advanced vehicle development (AVD) experience, or other related exposure to the AVD processes and deliverables, and proven ability to work in the AVD environment

Experience with global or multi-region programs, including coordinating with geographically distributed teams and suppliers.

Working Knowledge of 1D thermodynamic and 3D CFD Analysis

Knowledge of GM program timing system and VDP deliverables

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 may be eligible for relocation benefits.

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.

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