General Motors

Engineering Group Leader - Occupant Safety & Security Systems Validation

General Motors • $120K — $150K *
Warren, MI 48089Hybrid
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering with 8+ years of automotive systems engineering and system safety experience.
  • Proven experience in leading cross-functional engineering teams and developing talent.
  • Solid knowledge in validation of Seat, Seat Belt, and Driver Airbag Restraint systems.
  • Demonstrated execution of expanded responsibilities for security features and systems validation.
  • Proven ability to deliver program milestones for safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Familiarity with critical automotive regulations (MVSS 203, 209, 207, 210, 202a, and 225) and type approval processes.
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills, able to influence diverse teams.
  • DFSS Black Belt Certification.

Responsibilities

  • Lead occupant safety and security validation for multiple vehicle programs.
  • Provide technical direction and project oversight across execution and risk management.
  • Drive systems engineering practices, including safety artifacts and validation plans.
  • Partner with various teams to resolve issues and ensure compliance.
  • Build a high-performing organization through coaching and accountability.
  • Manage a travel requirement of 5-10%.

Benefits

  • Participation in a company vehicle evaluation program after a motor vehicle report review, allowing assignment of a General Motors vehicle.
  • Opportunity to purchase or lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Role

This position is a key technical people-leader role within the Global Systems Engineering, Safety, and Validation (GSESV) organization, accountable for leading the newly formed Occupant Safety & Security Systems Validation team and ensuring team deliverables meet customer expectations for safety, regulatory compliance, and quality.

The successful candidate will bring strong communication skills, strategic thinking, relationship-building capability, and a results-focused mindset to guide work across complex validation activities and cross-functional teams. They will demonstrate urgency, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to exercise independent judgment. This role requires solid systems engineering and validation knowledge in Seat, Seat Belt, and Driver Airbag Restraints, and has recently expanded to include security features and systems validation. The role will be responsible for developing, operationalizing, and implementing the team's approach to execute this new area, including Teen Driver, Valet Mode, and Theft Deterrence.

This position also requires hands-on strength in physical and virtual evaluation procedure execution, type approval process knowledge, regulatory and safety requirement understanding, Analysis Development and Validation (ADV) plan generation and change management, reliability and confidence application, and thoughtful issue identification through peer review and critical thinking. The successful candidate will be comfortable working with tools such as TcVis, e-Merge, JIRA, JIRA PRTS, VCAM, DFMEA and GDocs approval workflows, while contributing to milestone delivery, compliance documentation, evaluation reports, judgment letters, and technical mentorship to ensure high-quality execution.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)
  • Lead occupant safety and security validation activities across multiple vehicle programs and architectures.
  • Provide technical direction, people leadership, and project oversight for execution, resourcing, risk management, and team performance.
  • Drive robust systems engineering practices, including requirements, DFMEAs, safety artifacts, validation plans, and technical reviews.
  • Partner cross-functionally with program, design, software, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams to resolve issues and deliver safe, compliant systems.
  • Build a high-performing organization through coaching, accountability, continuous improvement, and clear operating metrics.
  • Ability to travel 5-10% of the time.


Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience in automotive systems engineering and system safety, including validation, across multiple vehicle programs or architectures.
  • Proven people leadership and the ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams, develop talent, manage performance, and build inclusive, high-performing organizations.
  • Solid systems engineering and validation knowledge in Seat, Seat Belt, and Driver Airbag Restraint systems, including vehicle integration and development, and associated validation methods, tools, and issue-management practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully deploy and execute expanded team responsibilities to support the implementation of security features and systems validation requirements.
  • Proven ability to deliver technical content for program milestones, including safety and regulatory deliverables, while managing trade-offs across timing, content, and resources.
  • Working knowledge of the following regulations MVSS 203, 209, 207, 210, 202a, and 225; along with the associated type approval / export regulations.
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive accountability and influence across program, design, software, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams.
  • DFSS Black Belt Certification.


What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
  • Master's degree in engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline; advanced study in Business is also valued.
  • Deep experience in Systems Engineering, System Safety, Functional Safety, Validation Methods, and/or Quality or Regulatory disciplines within the defined areas.
  • Strong knowledge of GM systems engineering practices, including requirements flow down, DFMEAs, system safety artifacts, validation plans, and technical reviews.
  • Direct leadership experience over multi-disciplinary teams delivering Systems Engineering and System Safety content across multiple vehicle programs, architectures, or chassis-related domains.
  • Demonstrated success leading major Systems Engineering and System Safety trade-offs, governing standard work and validation artifacts, and supporting launch and regulatory milestones.
  • Familiarity with KPI dashboards, continuous improvement methods, and lessons-learned processes that strengthen Systems Engineering, System Safety, and validation execution.
  • DFSS Master Black Belt Certification, Red X, or OpEx.


Company vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, though which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.

#LI-KE2
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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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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