Staff/Thermal Lead Design Release Engineer

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

GM is seeking Staff Lead Design Release Engineers and Lead Design Release Engineers responsible for leading product development and integration of thermal system components and subsystems for assigned vehicle program(s), inclusive of both underhood and in-cabin content.

As Staff Lead DRE for the Thermal Team, you will lead a team of thermal component DREs to deliver on-time development, release, validation, and production of thermal subsystems and related components. The role may also include direct release responsibility for select thermal components or subsystems and mentoring of other Lead DREs within the space.

This position is a strong fit for an engineer seeking system-level design and performance ownership, team leadership responsibilities, regular interaction with the program team, visits to GM and supplier assembly plants, and broad cross-functional collaboration (including Systems, Performance, Calibration/Diagnostics, Design, Safety / Crashworthiness, Propulsion, HVAC, Electrical, Vehicle and GPS Integration, Manufacturing Engineering, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Validation, and others).

You will join a strong team with support from Technical Specialists, the EGM, and DRE peers.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)

• Lead your System PDT (product development team) for assigned architecture & program(s) and work with component DREs to ensure all key deliverables are met on time and with high quality.
• Facilitate non-standard meetings or work groups (integration and cross-functional) to drive resolution of high-risk, complex, system-level issues with optimized solutions.
• Serve as the studio interface for thermal content on your architecture & program(s) (post VPI), including leading escalation through Health Check or other means to resolve studio criteria violations and document deviations.
• Utilize GM engineering tools and processes to successfully develop thermal components and systems and to rigorously manage program milestones.
• Maintain architectural governance of parts and subsystems
• Coach, mentor, and lead DREs, Lead DREs, and suppliers to execute program deliverables with excellence
• Create and update the Cabin Comfort Scorecard
• Provide “boots on the ground” support for DREs not located in the region.
• Perform appropriate design studies, including alternative analyses, and recommend solutions that balance performance, cost, mass, timing, packaging, energy efficiency, and vehicle integration.
• Own subsystem-level thermal performance and system-level issue management (JIRA PRTS), including support for cabin comfort, powertrain thermal management, cooling performance, and related attribute delivery.
• Act as the primary conduit between the VSE, LDE, and the DRE team, supporting DREs in CITs, VAPIRs, VPITs, CPITs, and other key meetings.
• Act as a surrogate for your EGM.
• Lead integration of the thermal subsystem into the total vehicle, ensuring effective coordination across underhood and in-cabin interfaces.
• Ensure documented compliance to CTS, SSTS, STS, FTS, VTS, and Design Best Practices requirements for your parts.
• Lead your team in the on-time completion of required Peer Reviews and Routing Quality Assessments (RQAs).
• Coordinate engineering activities with Suppliers, Supplier Quality, Purchasing, Performance, Validation, Manufacturing, Safety, Electrical, HVAC, Propulsion, Software and Services, and Vehicle Integration to ensure requirements are met and interfaces are robust.
• Lead problem-solving for JIRA PRTS issues relating to your subsystem and provide clear guidance to component DREs; document validation status in JIRA.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customer organizations as required.
• Review product warranty, JD Power, and Compass data to identify and address emerging issues and long-term durability concerns.
• Develop and implement cost optimization changes to process and/or product.
• Proactively learn new thermal technologies, components, and system integration approaches, and share lessons learned with the GSSLT (global subsystem leadership team) to enhance corporate knowledge.
• Support domestic travel, up to approximately 5%, as required.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications): Staff LDRE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and at least 10 years of automotive experience and 2 years experience in the thermal space
• Demonstrated competence in GM tools and processes (eMERGE, JIRA, Teamcenter/VAS, VIS Mockup, UGNX, CAE) and competency with MS Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, with a high level of oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated project management and/or leadership experience, including prior subsystems engineering work aligned with the GM Vehicle Development Process (VDP).
• Proven ability to deliver project commitments within tight timing and budgetary constraints and to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High level of analytical and problem-solving skills, including advanced analytical knowledge of thermal systems.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and influence work and decisions across multiple stakeholder groups, functions, and geographic locations, with familiarity with manufacturing processes, components, and vehicles.
• Ability to handle uncertainty, ambiguity, and unanticipated changes in program content, timing, or scope.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications): LDRE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and at least 5 years of automotive experience.
• Familiarity and demonstrated competence in GM tools and processes (eMERGE, JIRA, Teamcenter/VAS, VIS Mockup, UGNX, CAE) and competency with MS Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, with a high level of oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated project management and/or leadership experience, including prior subsystems engineering work aligned with the GM Vehicle Development Process (VDP).
• Proven ability to deliver project commitments within tight timing and budgetary constraints and to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High level of analytical and problem-solving skills, including advanced analytical knowledge of thermal systems.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and influence work and decisions across multiple stakeholder groups, functions, and geographic locations, with familiarity with manufacturing processes, components, and vehicles.
• Ability to handle uncertainty, ambiguity, and unanticipated changes in program content, timing, or scope.

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

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as engineering or business.
• 5 years of experience working with thermal system components, HVAC, cooling systems, heat exchangers, refrigerant systems, pumps, valves, ducts or other related commodities.
• Coach-level understanding of specifications and release terms and systems.
• Coach-level understanding of component and subsystem validation test methods and reporting.
• Experience spanning multiple full vehicle development cycles, including the post-launch support phase.

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

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as engineering or business.
• 2 years of experience working with thermal system components, HVAC, cooling systems, heat exchangers, refrigerant systems, pumps, valves, ducts or other related commodities.
• Basic understanding of specifications and release terms and systems.
• Familiarity and experience with component and subsystem validation test methods and reporting.
• Experience spanning at least one full vehicle development cycle, including the post-launch support phase.

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 is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

About GM

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