Technical Specialist - Structures/Durability

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 Virtual Design, Development & Validation (VDDV) Global Technical Specialist – Structures/Durability candidate will work on leading edge Vehicle Body design for GM’s future vehicle programs. This position makes a significant impact by providing technical leadership and guidance for structural analysis of Vehicle Body dynamics, fatigue & overall performance.

The VDDV Technical Specialist will work with Hardware Release Teams and Technical Specialists to develop and validate designs for new and future products, as well as identify priorities for future analysis growth. Responsible for setting the strategic technical vision for the team, including leading capability growth and facilitating robust design training.

What You'll Do

Strategy, Innovation & Planning

Create and execute strategic road maps for virtual design, development and validation for body systems.

Work with VDDV Engineers, Hardware Release Teams, and Hardware Development/Validation Teams to create, maintain and execute analysis capability development plans in support of GM’s vision of a predominantly virtual development process.

Stay abreast of competition and industry trends to identify opportunities that improve speed-to-market and cost efficiency.

Forecast and plan capability and resource needs, and secure support for required resources to meet program and technology roadmaps.

Define strategic opportunities to innovate processes and methods that advance virtual development maturity and efficiency.

Technical Leadership

Provide technical direction to VDDV Engineers working on virtual design, development and validation of Vehicle Body structures and durability to achieve the optimum performance at any customer deliverables.

Drive VDDV connection to Hardware Release Teams and Technical Specialists.

Work with VDDV Engineers, Hardware Release Teams and Technical Specialists to develop optimal design solutions that meet all requirements.

Responsible for analysis procedure documentation and updates.

Provide training for new and existing analysis procedures

Responsible to align analysis procedures with BOD/BOMs and VCRIs

Seek out state of the art tools and methods and benchmark with Industry.

Support Code Red/PRTS/SUFs and urgent break/fix product issues or support AUROS/PRTS/SUFs/REDX and urgent break/fix product issues

Support analysis project technical reviews at every milestone of GVDP

Communicate complex technical content clearly and persuasively in both technical and leadership forums, using high‑quality data and analysis to enable sound, timely decision making.

Support and develop new talent, enabling continuous improvement of standard work and the development and deployment of new tools.

Guide and inspire engineers through mentorship and sharing personal experience and expertise, fostering technical excellence and leadership behaviors.

Advocate for the adoption of virtual methods for vehicle design, development, and validation across the organization.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

BS in Engineering

Strong technical understanding of CAE structural analysis tools, including Optistruct, Dyna, ABAQUS and Design Life.

Deep Understanding of the fatigue theories and Reliability at a system level.

Expertise in Vehicle Body/Chassis systems design and manufacturing

Knowledge of DFMEA & PFMEA required to support Vehicle Body designs

10 years of experience in engineering design & manufacturing impacts on design.

Ability to assess analysis results and drive implementation of design recommendations

Strong capability to provide technical guidance on analysis methods and model debugging.

Strong verbal communication skills

Competence with conflict management and complex problem solving

Ability to develop consensus on best practices and validity of technical solutions

Strong self-initiative & drive for results.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

MS or PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Expertise in optimization tools (OPTISTRUCT, Hyper study, TOSCA, I-Sight) and theory

Expertise with variation and reliability analysis and tools

Knowledge and experience with Vehicle engineering process.

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.

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 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.

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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