Design Group Manager- Upper Structures

Job Description

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.

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..

About the Role:

This person will manage a large group of Engineering Designers and DLTs with similar functional responsibilities for Design deliverables in support of projects and programs within the Exteriors Engineering Design Team.

They will be responsible for staffing, communicating, training and development, directing and prioritization of work, evaluating performance and removing roadblocks. They will also provide technical leadership and guide the team to successful execution of vehicle programs with strong technical solutions. They will help develop processes, standards, or operational plans in support of the organization's business strategies with a direct impact on business and/or function overall results and influence others within the organization to accept new concepts, practices, and approaches. They will promote GM's values and make customer-focused decisions, proactively lead, guide, and direct a group of technical employees responsible for Design deliverables in support of the organization's business objectives as well as manage math development process.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)

• Provide strong technical leadership and guides the team to successful execution of vehicle programs with strong technical solutions.

• Develop new products, processes, standards, or operational plans in support of the organization's business strategies with a direct impact on business and/or function overall results.

• Influence others within the organization to accept new concepts, practices, and approaches.

• May include identifying problems, updating or modifying working methods that may be complex in their work area without the benefit of defined procedures.

• Promote GM's values and makes customer-focused decisions.

• Responsible for staffing, communicating, training and development, directing and prioritization of work, evaluating performance and removing roadblocks.

• Hiring: Identifies & leads staffing initiatives for work team.

• Communicating: Conducts regularly scheduled Group Meetings, Communicates GM Policies & Procedures, Leadership and Safety Messages. Creates and communicates initiatives specific to functional responsibilities in support of business plan objectives and deliverables. May include preparing and giving presentations.

• Training & Developing: Ensures employees complete all mandatory GM training and any specific training related to functional responsibility. Understands & supports employees’ career development goals. Develop and execute initiatives to improve work team capability and increase work team capacity.

• Assigning Work: Assigns and manages workload for direct reports. Sets individual employee and group priorities.

• Monitoring & Approving GM Records: Reviews and approves employee work and overtime schedules, expenses, and other work-related data.

• Evaluating Performance and Behaviors: Reviews deliverables and behavior, providing candid & constructive feedback. Conduct performance interventions when necessary.

• Recognition: Formally & informally recognizes employee's contributions. Provides timely and consistent feedback to direct employees as appropriate. Participates in compensation planning and administer compensation treatment.

• Removing Roadblocks & Resolving Issues: Observes and steps up to remove roadblocks and resolve potential issues

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technology

• 8+ years of experience in Design, including leadership experience

• Experience in product development and design/release activities

• Strong knowledge of engineering systems and processes (e.g., GxDP, GSTS, VIS Mock-up, GPDS, engineering release systems, GD&T, specifications, Global BOM, product and program content)

• Solid grounding in core engineering and design principles

• Ability to propose technical alternatives to balance competing priorities

• Experience leading teams and mentoring others

• Broad understanding of administrative and engineering tools used by the team and cross‑functional partners

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

• Experience in Body Structures or Closures

• Experience using NX and Teamcenter

• Experience in Design/Release engineering

• Broad knowledge and operational understanding of GM Policies and Procedures.

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.)

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