Senior Manager- Thermal Performance Integration Center

Job Description

The Role

General Motors is seeking a dynamic, technically grounded Senior Manager to lead the Thermal Performance Integration Center.  As the leader of this center, you will be the architect and champion of GM’s vehicle thermal strategy — balancing system performance, energy efficiency, and cost across four critical pillars: thermal system architecture, interior (HVAC/cabin comfort), propulsion cooling, and underhood/front end airflow (FEAF). This role sits at the intersection of product development, systems engineering, and enterprise strategy, with broad cross-functional reach into program teams, Software & Services, Virtual Development, and global partners.

This is an opportunity to lead a team that is shaping the future of thermal performance at General Motors — and to leave a lasting mark on winning vehicles for millions of GM customers.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities):

• Set strategy and lead the Thermal Performance Integration Center — define the long-term vision, roadmap, and execution plans that deliver integrated thermal solutions across the vehicle portfolio, balancing performance, efficiency, and profitability
• Serve as the enterprise voice of the customer for thermal performance, ensuring requirements are defined, owned, and defended against business trade-offs across ICE, BEV, and PHEV programs
• Drive on-time, quality delivery of all thermal performance across the Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP), including AVD through VTC.
• Lead and develop a team of engineering group managers and senior engineers — building talent, setting clear expectations, holding the team accountable, and creating a culture of technical excellence and inclusion
• Develop organizational capability, succession, and bench strength by coaching leaders, strengthening technical depth, and fostering an inclusive, high-accountability culture
• Partner cross-functionally with VDDV (Virtual Development), bevHEAT Systems, PTC, HVAC, Software & Services, Design Studio, and program teams to ensure early integration and robust thermal performance
• Champion the Road to Virtual — identify and implement virtual capability improvements that eliminate waste, increase development speed, and reduce physical testing burden for the Thermal Performance team
• Represent thermal performance in executive forums, including the Thermal Directors Council, program reviews, and leadership-sponsored escalations — providing clear strategic recommendations to senior leadership
• Drive continuous improvement in customer-facing thermal quality — using Compass, JD Power, and OnStar data to identify trends, root causes, and corrective action plans
• Identify profitability improvement opportunities that maintain customer-facing thermal performance while reducing cost, in partnership with program teams and GPP/GVHE partners
• Develop and own KSIs and KPIs that directly contribute to GPEC and GM functional results, reporting progress regularly and managing escalation paths appropriately

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical field
• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in thermal systems, HVAC, propulsion integration, vehicle systems, validation, or related automotive engineering domains
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering managers or senior technical teams, in a complex engineering environment, with a track record of building high-performing organizations
• Deep knowledge of the GM Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP) or equivalent OEM vehicle development lifecycle, from Advanced Vehicle Development through launch
• Proven ability to develop and execute technical strategies with enterprise-level impact, balancing customer requirements, program timing, cost, and quality
• Experience working cross-functionally with design, program management, virtual development, and software/controls organizations
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to align diverse perspectives and present recommendations to executive leadership with clarity and confidence
• Demonstrated ability to champion change, lead through ambiguity, and drive large-scale initiatives across a matrixed organization

What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience in ICE, BEV, PHEV, and hybrid thermal system development and integration.
• Familiarity with thermal virtual development tools (0D/1D/3D simulation, VDDV, COSIM) and a demonstrated commitment to expanding virtual capability
• Knowledge of key thermal performance metrics, customer feedback tools (Compass, JD Power), and correlation methodologies
• Experience managing engineering budgets, headcount planning, and resource allocation across multiple programs
• Experience leading global or multi-region initiatives, formal cross-functional networks, and large-scale organizational change
• Passion for developing talent, coaching leaders, and creating an inclusive workplace where every team member can perform at their best

Why This Role

·         High visibility — Direct interface with GPEC leadership, Thermal Directors Council, and performance integration leadership

·         Strategic impact — You will shape how GM delivers thermal performance across its next generation of ICE, PHEV, and BEV programs

·         Leading-edge technology — Work at the forefront of EV thermal innovation, virtual development, and AI-enabled engineering tools

·         Team legacy — Build and develop a center-of-excellence team that becomes a permanent competitive advantage for GM

Company vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, though 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.

#LI-KE2

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. 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

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Why Join Us 

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Benefits Overview

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