Job Description

The Role

This posting is seeking a driven Driveline Design Release Engineer to lead the definition, development, integration, release, and launch of driveline components and systems. The role has a strong systems, design, analysis, and integration focus, with responsibility for ensuring driveline hardware meets vehicle and system requirements while delivering program imperatives for performance, cost, mass, timing, manufacturability, and quality.

This position offers the opportunity to work closely with program teams, GM component and vehicle assembly plants, Milford Proving Grounds, suppliers, and numerous organizations across GM, including Powertrain, Chassis Controls, Propulsion Controls, Design, Manufacturing Engineering, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Validation, Finance, Occupant Safety, and Vehicle Integration.

The selected engineer will join a collaborative team with support from the subsystem lead, technical specialists, engineering group manager, and DRE peers.

Note that this role has the option to work periodically out of our Milford location and spend time in the vehicles at that location.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

• Define driveline component and subsystem requirements, design solutions, analysis, development, integration, and release activities across multiple cycles of the Vehicle Development Process.
• Create System Requirement Documents (SORs), Component Technical Specifications (CTSs), and related requirements documentation; ensure compliance throughout the program.
• Define and manage Interface Control Document (ICD) requirements for the various Driveline components, negotiate interfaces with surrounding components and systems, and drive resolution of integration issues.
• Lead the Product Development Team (PDT) for assigned driveline components and subsystems, including timing, parts lists, design for manufacturing and assembly, and change management.
• Lead Product Readiness Team (PRT) activities to track changes, upcoming builds, readiness actions, and program deliverables.
• Drive and track activities with component DREs to develop design solutions that meet program imperatives.
• Perform design studies and alternative analyses, making recommendations based on performance, cost, mass, timing, design for assembly, variation, and other program requirements.
• Integrate torque-transfer systems to balance vehicle performance, driveline hardware capability, and chassis and propulsion control objectives.
• Develop system and vehicle test plans for load collection and performance development; support test execution, instrumentation setup, data processing, and analysis.
• Support driveline calibration development, vehicle test preparation, dyno test cell activities, ride trips, captured-fleet performance reviews, and customer complaint remediation.
• Work at the Milford Proving Grounds as needed for chassis and driveline vehicle development testing and integration.
• Coordinate with GM and supplier Test and Validation Engineers to develop and execute complete validation plans and ensure timely reporting of results.
• Release driveline components and subsystems for use at vehicle assembly plants and ensure the correct parts are ordered for pre-production vehicle builds.
• Coordinate engineering activities with suppliers, Supplier Quality, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Validation, Powertrain, Chassis Controls, Propulsion Controls, Occupant Safety, Design, Finance, and other functions to ensure product requirements and program imperatives are met.
• Work closely with GM component and vehicle assembly plants to quickly root cause manufacturing and build issues and implement corrective actions.
• Lead problem-solving efforts for PRTS issues, test and build incidents, and other product concerns through closure within required timing.
• Lead and participate in DFMEA, DFA, technical, peer, and design review activities.
• Root cause warranty issues and test failures, then drive solutions that improve product robustness and customer satisfaction.
• Support production launch and continuous improvement activities for the assigned driveline systems.
• Develop and implement cost-reduction and cost-optimization activities; track implementation timing and drive actions to closure.
• Review current product warranty data and address emerging driveline issues.
• Communicate information to and from internal and external customer organizations as required.
• Mentor component and subsystem engineers in managing simultaneous program imperatives.
• Stay abreast of new driveline technology and communicate lessons learned with the Global Subsystem Leadership Team to enhance corporate knowledge.
• Travel as required for supplier, plant, test, and vehicle development activities (<10% of time).

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• Three or more years of relevant engineering experience.
• Experience with vehicle development processes and engineering operations.
• Competency in Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word and Google Office Tools.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively across multiple functions and organizations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to address unusual or difficult technical issues.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment while working with general direction from a supervisor.

What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as engineering or business.
• Five or more years of relevant engineering experience.
• DFSS Black Belt certification. If not yet certified, we would work together to support certification.
• Familiarity and demonstrated competence with GM tools and processes, including ECM, PRTS, Teamcenter/VAS, VIS Mockup, UGNX, and CAE.
• Experience with driveline, axle, torque-transfer, chassis, or related vehicle systems.
• Experience with vehicle-level integration, calibration development, instrumentation, dyno testing, or proving-ground testing.
• Familiarity with component and subsystem validation test methods and reporting.
• Experience developing SOR, CTS, SSTS, VTS, ICD, DFMEA, DFA, and related engineering documentation.
• Familiarity and experience working through the elements of the GM Quality Chain.
• Familiarity with component and vehicle manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated project management, technical leadership, or team leadership experience.
• High level of oral and written communication skills.
• General interest and ability in systems integration and vehicle-level performance understanding.
• Experience working with suppliers, manufacturing plants, Supplier Quality, Purchasing, and cross-functional program teams.