Design Release Engineer - Seatbelts

Job 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

As a Design and Release Engineer – Seatbelts, you will serve as the technical leader for seatbelt system design, development, integration, and release across multiple vehicle programs. You will drive the execution of occupant restraint solutions that are safe, robust, manufacturable, and customer-focused, while influencing cross-functional decisions from concept through launch.

This role requires strong technical expertise, sound business judgment, and a passion for safety, along with the ability to lead complex issues and align internal and external partners to deliver high-quality results.

What You'll Do

• Lead the end-to-end design, development, integration, validation, and release of seatbelt systems, ensuring alignment with safety, performance, cost, quality, timing, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical leadership across seatbelt system architecture, component selection, design maturation, and issue resolution, making well-informed engineering trade-offs.
• Drive cross-functional alignment with styling, packaging, safety integration, manufacturing, purchasing, validation, quality, and suppliers to ensure seamless system integration.
• Own product definition, release, and engineering change management using Engineering Release Systems and Teamcenter Visualization, ensuring accurate documentation and configuration control.
• Lead complex problem-solving efforts, including root cause analysis and corrective action implementation across design, validation, supplier, and manufacturing issues.
• Proactively manage technical risks, deliverables, timing, and issue escalation through the GVDP lifecycle.
• Partner with suppliers to ensure design feasibility, manufacturability, quality performance, and launch readiness while driving accountability.
• Oversee validation activities, including test planning, results evaluation, and engineering recommendations to ensure product robustness.
• Drive continuous improvement in design practices, technical standards, and component strategies across the restraint system portfolio.
• Stay current on industry trends, competitor activity, and regulatory changes related to occupant safety systems.
• Mentor and support the development of less experienced engineers to strengthen team capability.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Significant experience in automotive design and release engineering, with expertise in seatbelt, restraint, or other safety-critical systems.
• Proven ability to lead design, development, and integration across complex programs and multiple stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of Engineering Release Systems and Teamcenter Visualization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive alignment in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a track record of leading issue resolution and making high-quality engineering decisions.
• High level of customer focus with experience delivering robust, user-centered solutions.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver against aggressive timelines.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable working with global, cross-functional teams.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience as a DRE, Validation Engineer, or Safety Integration/Performance Engineer
• DFSS Black Belt certification
• Experience leading safety-critical systems through full vehicle development and launch
• Proven ability to influence technical direction, mentor engineers, and drive continuous improvement

This role is categorized as hybrid. The selected candidate will be expected to work on-site at the Warren Tech Center at least three days per week, or as otherwise determined by the hiring leader. This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

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., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

#LI-JN1

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.

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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