General Motors

Energy Optimization Leader

General Motors • $110K — $130K *
Warren, MI 48089In-Person
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline.
  • 7+ years of relevant experience in energy, utilities, or industrial manufacturing.
  • Experience optimizing energy and water in industrial settings, especially HVAC, compressed air, and process cooling.
  • Proven track record in multi-stakeholder project leadership and savings quantification.
  • Strong analytical skills with utility billing and metering data.
  • Excellent communication skills, synthesizing complex information into clear messages.
  • Willingness to travel regularly to manufacturing facilities.

Responsibilities

  • Own energy and water performance for a portfolio of manufacturing facilities.
  • Partner with plant teams to identify and prioritize improvement projects.
  • Support planning for energy budgets and performance targets using various data tools.
  • Review energy project proposals to ensure savings calculations are accurate.
  • Represent Energy & Water Optimization in cross-functional forums with performance updates.
  • Share best practices and build management capability in plant teams through training.
  • Collaborate with internal and external teams to enhance optimization strategies.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with on-site expectations in Warren, Michigan.
  • Opportunity to impact GM's sustainability goals and energy efficiency initiatives.
  • Collaboration with leading experts in manufacturing and energy management.
  • Access to advanced energy data and management tools.
  • Support for personal and professional development through experience in a pivotal role.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Hybrid - This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren, Michigan, three times per week, at minimum [or other frequency dictated by the business.]

Sponsorship: GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship (e.g. H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) now or in the future.

The Role

The Energy Optimization Leader plays a pivotal role in driving energy and water performance across GM's North American manufacturing facilities. This position is responsible for partnering with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to identify, develop, and implement projects and operational strategies that reduce energy and water consumption, improve operational efficiency, and support GM's decarbonization and sustainability goals.

The role combines deep technical understanding of industrial energy systems (e.g., HVAC, compressed air, process loads, lighting, chilled water, steam, and other utilities) with strong program leadership and stakeholder engagement skills. The Energy Optimization Leader serves as a subject-matter expert and portfolio owner for their assigned manufacturing sites, ensuring alignment to 4000-Account budgets, PL1/MEI targets, 50001 Ready efforts, and broader Energy & Water Optimization strategy.

You will collaborate extensively with:
  • Plant leadership, Manufacturing Engineering, Facilities (FAM, SUM, ME), and operations teams at the manufacturing facilities
  • Energy Conservation Engineers (ECEs) and local utilities/program partners
  • Finance, Sustainability, Environmental, and boarder Global Energy Procurement, Reliability, & Optimization teams

What You'll Do
  • Own energy and water performance for a portfolio of manufacturing facilities, serving as the primary contact and subject-matter expert for site leadership and ECEs.
  • Partner with plant teams to identify, quantify, and prioritize energy and water improvement opportunities and projects that support 4000-Account budgets, PL1/MEI targets, and sustainability goals.
  • Support annual and mid-year planning for energy budgets, forecasts, and KPI targets, using data from EnergyCAP, TimberRock, Energy OnStar, building management systems, and other tools.
  • Review and support energy project proposals and approvals ensuring sound savings calculations, data quality, and alignment with GM processes and funding criteria.
  • Represent Energy & Water Optimization in recurring cross-functional forums and provide concise performance updates, scorecards, and countermeasures to plant and Energy Procurement, Reliability, & Optimization leadership.
  • Share best practices across sites and help build energy management capability in ECEs and plant teams through coaching, training, and clear guidance.


Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline (e.g., mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial, energy systems) or a bachelor's degree in another field with significant relevant experience.
  • 7+ years of relevant experience in energy, utilities, and/or industrial manufacturing, with direct exposure to plant operations and systems.
  • Demonstrated experience with energy and water optimization in industrial settings, particularly in one or more of the following:
    • HVAC and building systems (AHUs, chillers, boilers, cooling towers)
    • Compressed air and industrial ventilation
    • Process cooling and industrial refrigeration
    • Paint systems
    • Lighting and controls
    • Water and wastewater treatment or process water systems
  • Proven track record leading or supporting multi-stakeholder projects in manufacturing environments, including:
    • Identifying and quantifying savings opportunities
    • Building business cases and working with Finance
    • Supporting implementation and verifying post-project performance
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work with interval data, metering systems, dashboards, and utility billing information to drive decisions.
  • Ability to build trust and influence across levels and functions, including plant managers, engineers, maintenance teams, and external partners.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex topics into clear, action-oriented messages.
  • Willingness and ability to travel regularly to manufacturing facilities within the portfolio (frequency will vary based on business needs).


What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
  • Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or equivalent professional certification in energy management or related field.
  • Experience with ISO 50001/50001 Ready and/or Strategic Energy Management (SEM) programs.
  • Prior experience as an Energy Optimization Leader, Energy Conservation Engineer, facilities/utility engineer, or similar role supporting automotive or large industrial facilities.
  • Familiarity with utility incentive programs, demand response, and energy procurement considerations.
  • Demonstrated success leading or facilitating energy and water treasure hunts or similar multi-day, cross-functional events.
  • Strong sense of teamwork and shared achievement of portfolio and corporate targets.


This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
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}.This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

About General Motors

General Motors Company engages in the manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. It offers sedans, crossovers, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, coupes, sports/convertibles and hybrid vehicles, hatchbacks/wagons, and vans, as well as mini cars in India. The company also provides parts and accessories, such as iPod and MP3 compatibility, mobility accessories, performance parts, AC parts and services, and merchandise. In addition, it offers vehicle safety, security, and information services. The company provides used vehicles. It offers its products through dealers and distributors. General Motors Company was formerly known as NGMCO, Inc. and changed its name to General Motors Company in July 2009. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. It operates manufacturing facilities in India, the United States, and Canada. General Motors Company operates as a subsidiary of the United States Department of The Treasury. General Motors led global vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years from 1931 through 2007, longer than any other automaker, and is currently among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales. General Motors acts in most countries outside the USA via wholly-owned subsidiaries but operates in China through 10 joint ventures. GM's OnStar subsidiary provides vehicle safety, security, and information services. In 2009, General Motors shed several brands, closing Saturn, Pontiac, and Hummer, and emerged from a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization. In 2010, GM made an initial public offering IPOs to date and returned to profitability later that year.

General Motors Careers

Join the dynamic team at General Motors, a global leader in automotive innovation and technology. At General Motors, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career forward while contributing to a legacy of engineering excellence.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career with General Motors to drive the future of mobility. Our team is dedicated to redefining the automotive landscape through innovation and leadership in electric vehicles and sustainable solutions. By joining us, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, teamwork, and continuous professional growth.

Transform Your Career

General Motors is not just a company; it's a community where you can grow your skills alongside the best in the industry. Our leadership is committed to providing every employee—from interns to senior professionals—with opportunities for career advancement, leadership development, and diversity training.

Innovate and Lead

At General Motors, innovation is at the core of everything we do. From research and development to manufacturing, our teams work collaboratively to lead the industry with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. We encourage our employees to think big and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Join Our Global Team

As part of our global workforce, you will collaborate with talented individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of transportation. General Motors offers a variety of career paths in engineering, design, IT, marketing, and more. With over 155,000 employees worldwide, our network provides expansive opportunities for networking and professional development.

Internship Programs and Employment Benefits

Start your career journey with a General Motors internship, where you can apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects. Our internships provide a robust foundation in the automotive industry, with mentorship from experienced leaders. Full-time employees enjoy a wealth of benefits, including comprehensive health care, retirement plans, and performance bonuses, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded.

Explore Job Opportunities

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, General Motors offers positions that leverage your unique skills. Our hiring process is designed to identify and nurture talent, focusing on aligning your capabilities with the right opportunities for growth within the company.

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Learn more about General Motors
Size
157,000 employees
Market Cap
$46.9 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ
GM
* Ladders Estimates

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