Engineering Group - Design Release Engineering

Job Description

The Senior Design Release Engineer (DRE) leads the design, engineering, integration, release, and lifecycle management of airbag module and seat belt Corporate Common Components (CCC) hardware across vehicle programs. This role requires strong technical judgment, cross functional leadership, and the ability to deliver robust safety critical components from early development through production and field issue resolution.

 

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

Subsystem Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Lead airbag module, steering wheel and seat belt hardware development and integration with Safety Performance, Vehicle Architecture, Seats, Chassis, Instrument Panels, Body Structures, Interior Trim, Electrical, Manufacturing, Validation, and program teams.
• Provide technical guidance for ongoing safety field investigations, product remediations and open field actions from interior SMT execution
• Lead for airbag module and inflator lot acceptance testing (LAT) non-conformance reports with internal and external partners
• Balance occupant protection requirements, component reuse strategy, manufacturing constraints, cost, mass, timing, quality, and program risk.
• Guide strategy, interface alignment, and technical execution across vehicle programs and suppliers.
• Communicate technical status, risks, recommendations, and recovery plans across internal and external partners.

Technical Ownership

• Provide technical leadership in airbag module and seat belt design, integration, release, validation, and best practice applications for the CCC components
• Apply knowledge of inflators, cushions, housings, deployment doors, retractors, pretensioners, load limiters, buckles, latch plates, webbing, anchors, guides, sensors, and electrical interfaces.
• Translate vehicle and system level occupant protection needs into component requirements and design controls.
• Drive technical decisions using engineering analysis, test data, failure evidence, and structured problem solving while
• managing safety, quality, timing, cost, and implementation risk.

Product Development Team Leadership

• Lead the PDT and supplier technical activities to meet engineering, release, validation, sourcing, build, and launch deliverables.
• Execute Quality Chain elements, DFMEA, interface requirements, design reviews, validation plans, engineering changes, and program milestones.
• Manage production releases, component configuration, PPAP readiness, validation evidence, and product traceability.
• Apply robust engineering tools, including DFSS and structured problem solving, to improve performance, quality, cost, mass, complexity, and manufacturability.

Issue Resolution & Lifecycle Management

• Lead technical problem solving for development, validation, manufacturing, supplier, warranty, and field issues.
• Determine root cause, containment, read across, corrective action, and documented closure for safety critical component concerns.
• Support Safety Field Investigations and Lot Acceptance Testing nonconformance reviews by providing component expertise and coordinating appropriate engineering resources.
• Track investigation status, risks, ownership, timing, required decisions, remediation actions, and closure deliverables.

 

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Materials, or a related engineering discipline.
• Six or more years of DRE or equivalent experience in full cycle product development, including safety critical components.
• Working knowledge of airbag modules, airbag inflators, seat belts, steering wheels, or related vehicle safety hardware.
• Strong understanding of engineering release, validation, change management, supplier quality, PPAP, and vehicle program processes.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve complex technical problems using physics based analysis, test data, failure evidence, and structured root cause methods.
• Ability to communicate technical issues, risks, and recommendations clearly to engineering teams, suppliers, cross functional partners, and leadership.
• Ability to make sound technical decisions in ambiguous environments and independently drive issues to closure.
• Experience working with global OEM, supplier, manufacturing, validation, and program teams.

 

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master of Science or other advanced engineering degree.
• DFSS Black Belt certification or Red X experience.
• Direct experience with airbag modules, seat belt systems, pyrotechnic devices, occupant kinematics, or safety field investigations.
• Experience developing DFMEAs, validation plans, interface requirements, design controls, and safety critical product controls.

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

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

General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.