General Motors

Engineering Group - Design Release Engineering

General Motors • $100K — $120K *
Warren, MI 48089Hybrid
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Materials, or related engineering field.
  • Six or more years of experience in Design Release Engineering or equivalent in safety critical product development.
  • Working knowledge of safety hardware like airbags and seat belts.
  • Thorough understanding of engineering release and validation processes, including PPAP and change management.
  • Proven ability to solve complex technical problems using data analysis and structured methods.
  • Excellent communication skills for conveying technical issues to diverse teams.
  • Capacity to make informed decisions amid ambiguity.

Responsibilities

  • Lead hardware development and integration for airbag modules, steering wheels, and seat belts with various vehicle systems.
  • Guide ongoing safety field investigations and non-conformance reports related to these components.
  • Balance design requirements, manufacturing constraints, and program risks effectively.
  • Provide strategic alignment and technical execution across vehicle programs and suppliers.
  • Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations across internal and external partners.
  • Drive technical decisions through rigorous engineering analysis and problem-solving methods.
  • Oversee product development team activities to ensure timely engineering and validation deliverables.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment with flexibility in reporting location.
  • Limited travel requirements of under 25%.
  • Opportunity for continued professional development and exposure to cross-functional teams.
Full Job Description

Job Description

The Senior Design Release Engineer (DRE) leads the design, engineering, integration, release, and lifecycle management of airbag module and seat belt Corporate Common Components (CCC) hardware across vehicle programs. This role requires strong technical judgment, cross functional leadership, and the ability to deliver robust safety critical components from early development through production and field issue resolution.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

Subsystem Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

  • Lead airbag module, steering wheel and seat belt hardware development and integration with Safety Performance, Vehicle Architecture, Seats, Chassis, Instrument Panels, Body Structures, Interior Trim, Electrical, Manufacturing, Validation, and program teams.
  • Provide technical guidance for ongoing safety field investigations, product remediations and open field actions from interior SMT execution
  • Lead for airbag module and inflator lot acceptance testing (LAT) non-conformance reports with internal and external partners
  • Balance occupant protection requirements, component reuse strategy, manufacturing constraints, cost, mass, timing, quality, and program risk.
  • Guide strategy, interface alignment, and technical execution across vehicle programs and suppliers.
  • Communicate technical status, risks, recommendations, and recovery plans across internal and external partners.

Technical Ownership

  • Provide technical leadership in airbag module and seat belt design, integration, release, validation, and best practice applications for the CCC components
  • Apply knowledge of inflators, cushions, housings, deployment doors, retractors, pretensioners, load limiters, buckles, latch plates, webbing, anchors, guides, sensors, and electrical interfaces.
  • Translate vehicle and system level occupant protection needs into component requirements and design controls.
  • Drive technical decisions using engineering analysis, test data, failure evidence, and structured problem solving while
  • managing safety, quality, timing, cost, and implementation risk.

Product Development Team Leadership

  • Lead the PDT and supplier technical activities to meet engineering, release, validation, sourcing, build, and launch deliverables.
  • Execute Quality Chain elements, DFMEA, interface requirements, design reviews, validation plans, engineering changes, and program milestones.
  • Manage production releases, component configuration, PPAP readiness, validation evidence, and product traceability.
  • Apply robust engineering tools, including DFSS and structured problem solving, to improve performance, quality, cost, mass, complexity, and manufacturability.

Issue Resolution & Lifecycle Management

  • Lead technical problem solving for development, validation, manufacturing, supplier, warranty, and field issues.
  • Determine root cause, containment, read across, corrective action, and documented closure for safety critical component concerns.
  • Support Safety Field Investigations and Lot Acceptance Testing nonconformance reviews by providing component expertise and coordinating appropriate engineering resources.
  • Track investigation status, risks, ownership, timing, required decisions, remediation actions, and closure deliverables.

 

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Materials, or a related engineering discipline.
  • Six or more years of DRE or equivalent experience in full cycle product development, including safety critical components.
  • Working knowledge of airbag modules, airbag inflators, seat belts, steering wheels, or related vehicle safety hardware.
  • Strong understanding of engineering release, validation, change management, supplier quality, PPAP, and vehicle program processes.
  • Demonstrated ability to resolve complex technical problems using physics based analysis, test data, failure evidence, and structured root cause methods.
  • Ability to communicate technical issues, risks, and recommendations clearly to engineering teams, suppliers, cross functional partners, and leadership.
  • Ability to make sound technical decisions in ambiguous environments and independently drive issues to closure.
  • Experience working with global OEM, supplier, manufacturing, validation, and program teams.

 

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

  • Master of Science or other advanced engineering degree.
  • DFSS Black Belt certification or Red X experience.
  • Direct experience with airbag modules, seat belt systems, pyrotechnic devices, occupant kinematics, or safety field investigations.
  • Experience developing DFMEAs, validation plans, interface requirements, design controls, and safety critical product controls.
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}. The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role. 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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Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. At General Motors, we look for innovative, driven, and solution-oriented team players. Explore the possibilities that await you in a career at General Motors.

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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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