Body Structures 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.

Company Vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.

The Role

This role provides global leadership for the technical strategy, requirements, and overall architecture of General Motors’ body structure systems during the Advanced Vehicle Development phase of the Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP). Responsibilities include setting and executing design and engineering direction for advanced body‑in‑white systems, including potential integration of the RESS structure. The role maintains accountability for critical design and construction decisions and provides enterprise‑level technical leadership to ensure consistent global execution. Support to the Body Structures and Closures SMT is provided as needed following Advanced BIW development.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

Provide global technical leadership for body structures design across all AVD programs, shaping next‑generation vehicle architectures.

Define and drive structural strategies that deliver performance, enable brand‑aligned styling, and address systemic and legacy challenges.

Champion advanced technologies and innovation across body and RESS structures, influencing best practices, manufacturing requirements, and solution deployment.

Lead advanced technology development in partnership with ATW, GM Research, suppliers, and industry collaborators.

Balance performance, cost, mass, investment, and manufacturing complexity in strategic and day‑to‑day decisions.

Serve as a global technical authority, leveraging competitive benchmarking to guide design reviews, enterprise standards, and cross‑functional alignment.

Establish and evolve global best practices, technical specifications, and CAE methodologies to ensure consistent, high‑quality execution worldwide.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Bachelor degree in Engineering, Math, Physics, or other relevant degree

8 years of relevant engineering experience in advanced vehicle development or other relevant field experience

Proven leadership and recognized subject‑matter expert in vehicle body structures and advanced vehicle engineering.

Independently solves complex, non‑routine engineering problems using strong analytical skills and sound business judgment.

Leads technically complex projects or workstreams with significant visibility and measurable impact.

Expert‑level knowledge of body structure engineering at the complete vehicle level, including compliance with Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and internal requirements.

Deep experience with production and manufacturing processes, including metal forming, joining, body shop processing, and tooling development.

Strong cross‑functional collaborator with CAE, Safety, Formability, Manufacturing, Design, Chassis, Packaging, and Architecture teams to deliver practical engineering solutions.

Proven ability to manage interfaces between body structures and adjacent systems (battery systems/enclosures, chassis, fuel, restraints, electrical, interior and exterior trim).

Thorough understanding of the Advanced Vehicle Development Process, surface/theme development, and vehicle architecture integration.

Effective communicator with the ability to influence across technical, program, and functional teams.

Acts as a technical mentor and resource, supporting capability development and best practices.

Proficient with engineering and standard office software tools.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

Master’s degree preferred

DFSS Black Belt Certification

#LI-KM2

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.

This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis and successfully complete a Motor Vehicle Report review.

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

From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources. 

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.

Accommodations

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