General Motors

Fastener Engineer - GM Defense

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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related field.
  • Minimum 5 years of engineering experience.
  • Demonstrated expertise in fastening systems, joint design, torque management, and mechanical assembly.
  • Experience leading enterprise-level technical initiatives across multiple organizations.
  • Strong understanding of automotive product development and manufacturing processes.
  • Experience working directly with suppliers and cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Exceptional communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as GM's technical authority for mechanical fastening systems and standards.
  • Develop and maintain enterprise fastening strategies and best practices.
  • Lead fastening architecture reviews across vehicle programs.
  • Drive standardization initiatives to reduce complexity and improve quality.
  • Support design reviews for structural, safety-critical, and military applications.
  • Provide technical leadership on fastener selection and validation requirements.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve fastening-related issues.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment with flexible scheduling.
  • Robust career development opportunities and mentoring.
  • Involvement in cutting-edge automotive fastening technologies.
  • Engagement in interdisciplinary collaborative work with a variety of engineering disciplines.
Full Job Description

Job Description

The Role:

General Motors is seeking a highly experienced Technical Lead to serve as the enterprise subject matter expert for Fastening Systems. This position is responsible for establishing fastening strategies, ensuring technical excellence across vehicle programs, and supporting robust fastening designs, standards, and execution.

The successful candidate will work across Engineering, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, and Supplier organizations to drive fastening design quality, standardization, cost optimization, and manufacturing readiness. The role requires strong technical depth and the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple organizations.

Success Metrics

  • Achievement of fastening technical milestones across vehicle programs.

  • Improvement in fastening quality, warranty, and manufacturing performance.

  • Increased fastening standardization and cost optimization.

  • Successful execution of validation and implementation plans.

  • Technical capability growth across engineering organizations.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities):

Fastening Technical Leadership

  • Serve as GM's technical authority for mechanical fastening systems, standards, and design practices.  Leverage GM COTS fastening systems.

  • Develop and maintain enterprise fastening strategies, specifications, and best practices.

  • Lead fastening architecture reviews across vehicle programs.

  • Drive standardization initiatives to reduce complexity, improve quality, and lower cost.

  • Support design reviews for structural, safety-critical, and military applications.

  • Provide technical leadership on fastener selection, torque strategies, joint design, coatings, corrosion prevention, fatigue performance, and validation requirements.

  • Partner with Manufacturing, Assembly, and Supplier Quality teams to resolve fastening-related issues across development, launch, and production.

  • Support field issue investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.

  • Guide future fastening technology roadmaps including automation, advanced joining technologies, and digital engineering solutions.

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Lead technical task forces and influence engineering decisions without direct authority.

  • Present recommendations to executive leadership and program governance boards.

  • Mentor engineers and technical specialists across multiple organizations.

  • Build strong partnerships with vehicle engineering, purchasing, quality, manufacturing, and supplier leadership teams.

  • Develop technical training, knowledge-sharing forums, and best-practice documentation.

  • Represent GM in industry technical discussions and supplier engagements.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related field.

  • Minimum 5 years of engineering experience.

  • Demonstrated expertise in fastening systems, joint design, torque management, and mechanical assembly.

  • Experience leading enterprise-level technical initiatives across multiple organizations.

  • Strong understanding of automotive product development and manufacturing processes.

  • Experience working directly with suppliers and cross-functional engineering teams.

  • Demonstrated ability to influence decisions at senior leadership levels.

  • Exceptional communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.

  • Experience managing complex technical risks and driving resolution plans.

  • Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):

  • Master’s degree in engineering or MBA.

  • Expertise in automotive fastening standards and specifications.

  • Experience with supplier sourcing, global supply chains, and risk management.

  • Knowledge of military, aerospace, or high-reliability fastening applications.

  • Experience supporting vehicle launches and production readiness activities.

  • Lean Manufacturing, DFSS, Six Sigma, or equivalent certification.

#GMD

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. The position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

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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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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Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities available at General Motors. Embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and leadership at General Motors. Shape your future in an environment that fosters diversity, learning, and the pursuit of excellence. Join us and redefine the roads of tomorrow.
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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