Design Release Engineer - Side Closures

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

The candidate will be responsible for leading the design, engineering, and release of innovative door hardware components that serve as corporate common parts across multiple vehicle programs.

In the role of Vehicle Hardware DRE, the candidate will apply creativity, initiative, and a high level of independent judgment while collaborating closely with Supplier Integrated Engineers, Program DREs, Technical Specialists, and cross‑functional partners including Studio, Interiors, and Electrical SMTs.

This position oversees all design‑release workstreams for corporate common hardware components, including leading PDTs with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of all program requirements. The role requires coordination with both Program DREs and the Corporate Common Component team to align on all technical and program imperatives.

The hardware team’s scope includes all closure‑related latching systems, inside and outside handles, and may span a mix of commodities across these areas.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)

• Manage all design release workstreams for their vehicle hardware components. The team is responsible for all closure latching systems, inside handles and outside handles. The role may include more than one commodity

• Develop Statement of Requirements (SORs) for Sourcing

• Lead and Support PDT team for component/subsystems (suppliers, designers, engineers, imperatives, parts list, validation, manufacturing, supplier quality, DFMEA, etc.)

• Perform appropriate studies/alternatives, and support program direction based upon cost, mass, timing, DFMEA, and other program imperatives

• Support and work with the Corporate common team for all business case items and workstreams related to their parts

• Support/lead design and technical reviews to ensure 100 percent design fidelity and all best practices are met

• Create Interface Control Documents (ICD) requirements for component and subsystem interfaces. Negotiate and obtain agreement with interfacing components and peers

• Write ECRs to release parts and changes into the GM system

• Support and follow all corporate common components strategies, cost approval discussions, and release processes

• Release Production Design, on time with quality, to meet program all required program milestones/deliverables

• Communicate information to and from internal and external customer organizations

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering

• 5+ years of experience as DRE or equivalent or comparable new product development

• Execution of vehicle development cycles for systems and subsystems (concept through production launch)

• Excellent program management skills

• Demonstrated problem solving abilities

• Working knowledge of global regulations

• Excellent physics-based problem-solving skills

• Experience working with overseas automotive OEM's and suppliers

• Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

• Experience leading cross functional teams

What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• 2-5 years minimum experience working with the studio creative design process from concept to production

• Training in manufacturing assembly processes

• Experience in fixture design and product validation

• Green or Black Belt DFSS certification and Red X Journeyman

• GM Vehicle CAR and Truck program knowledge

• Demonstrated problem solving capabilities

• Working knowledge of E2

• Working knowledge of GPDS

#LI-KM2

&#xa;&#xa;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).&#xa;&#xa;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}.&#xa;&#xa;The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role.&#xa;&#xa;This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.&#xa;&#xa;This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis. A company vehicle will only be provided for this role by passing the Motor Vehicle Report review.&#xa;&#xa;

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.

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