Design Release Engineer - Interiors - GM Defense

Location: Pontiac, Michigan, United States of America

Remote Type: Hybrid

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Job Description

About GM Defense
GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, and autonomy & connectivity solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. GM Defense combines General Motors’ proven engineering and manufacturing capabilities with the mission focus and execution speed required by defense customers.

The Role
GM Defense is seeking an Interior Design Release Engineer to independently own the design, development, testing, release, and continuous improvement of vehicle cockpits, including but not limited to Instrument Panels, Floor Consoles, Overhead and Hard Trim, Door Trim and Seats. 

This role is accountable for converting customer and program requirements into robust, manufacturable, serviceable, and validated solutions. The Interior DRE will work cross-functionally across engineering, program, design studio, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers, and customers to align priorities and deliver results. Success requires comfort operating in ambiguity, adapting to evolving requirements, making sound decisions with incomplete information, and driving issues to closure across the full product lifecycle—from concept and design through build, validation, launch, and field support.

What You'll Do

• Independently lead assigned interior systems and components from requirements definition through design, validation, release, launch, and continuous improvement.
• Translate customer, vehicle, regulatory, and program requirements into clear engineering requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Define and maintain component requirements, Statements of Requirements (SORs), interface documentation, engineering criteria, and product data.
• Lead integration with adjacent vehicle systems and functions, resolving packaging, fit-and-finish, dimensional, functional, manufacturing, and serviceability concerns.
• Lead design reviews, technical decisions, interface control activities, and engineering documentation, including specifications, bills of material, design data, and release packages
• Guide supplier design and execution; review technical proposals, risk analyses, validation evidence, and production readiness.
• Lead or coordinate DFMEA, DRBFM, design reviews, structured problem-solving, and corrective-action closure across related components.
• Manage engineering changes, release documentation, component content, and program timing through applicable GM processes and systems.
• Drive readiness for prototype, pre-production, and launch builds; coordinate issue triage and recovery plans with cross-functional teams.
• Communicate subsystem status, trade-offs, risks, and decisions clearly to engineering and program leadership.
• Coach peers and less-experienced engineers while helping reuse lessons learned across programs.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• BS in Engineering or similar discipline
• 5+ years of relevant experience in interior systems, such as Instrument Panels, Floor Consoles, Door Trim, Interior Garnish and/or Seats
• Demonstrated ability to independently own technical work from requirements through design, validation, release, build, and issue resolution.
• Demonstrated experience in design release engineering, product engineering, or a comparable automotive engineering role
• Experience taking components or systems through design, validation, change control, and production launch.
• Ability to lead cross-functional technical problem-solving and work effectively with suppliers.
• Strong communication, prioritization, and technical decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, make timely decisions with limited direction, and escalate risks appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to solve design/manufacturing issues quickly as part of a cross-functional team
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and vehicle launch experience.
• Ability to work periodically at the Milford Proving Grounds, travel as required and legally operate a motor vehicle.
• Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Defense Industry Experience
• Familiarity with GM product development, engineering change, product data, and issue-management tools
• MS in Mechanical Engineering
• DFSS Black Belt Certification

#GMD

About GM

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