General Motors

New Products Architect – Internal Combustion Engines

General Motors$120K — $145K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
  • 10+ years of experience in internal combustion engines, hybrid propulsion systems, or closely related powertrain hardware
  • Demonstrated experience in system architecture and complex cross-functional technical leadership
  • Strong understanding of mechanical and electromechanical system balance across multiple criteria
  • Proven ability to work independently on significant technical matters
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a physics-based approach
  • Ability to influence direction and drive alignment across functions without direct authority

Responsibilities

  • Define and engineer engine architectures meeting critical vehicle-level requirements.
  • Lead technical definition of new engine concepts during early product development phases.
  • Own engineering and program deliverables during the BA phase, ensuring clarity and alignment.
  • Provide technical leadership to cross-functional teams within the Balance Architecture framework.
  • Translate program objectives into engineering workstreams and integration plans.
  • Act as a central technical integrator across various engineering and production teams.
  • Drive system tradeoff decisions related to engine performance, emissions, and related interfaces.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with expectation to report on-site at least 3 times a week.
  • Opportunity for mentorship and leading less-experienced engineers.
  • Focus on professional growth in a cutting-edge automotive technology environment.
Full Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

General Motors is seeking a New Products Architect to lead the definition, integration, and execution of future Internal Combustion Engine architectures within the New Products Group organization. This is a individual contributor role for an engineer who can independently lead significant technical work, exercise sound judgment on complex engineering matters, convert broad program needs into executable technical plans, and drive alignment across a broad cross-functional team.

This role is focused on new product development for engines, with responsibility to define and engineer architectures that meet vehicle-level requirements, provide technical and program leadership in a cross-functional Balance Architecture environment, and own engineering and program deliverables during the BA phase. The role is intended for an experienced systems-minded engineer who can bridge architecture definition, component and subsystem integration, technical decision-making, and handoff into execution teams.


Key Responsibilities
  • Define and engineer engine architectures that meet vehicle-level functional, performance, efficiency, durability, cost, timing, packaging, manufacturing, and quality requirements.
  • Lead the technical definition of new engine concepts during BA and early new product development phases.
  • Own engineering and program deliverables during BA, including technical scope alignment, requirements definition, architecture tradeoffs, issue resolution, and readiness for gate reviews.
  • Lead or provide technical leadership to a Balance Architecture core team, ensuring the standard work is executed with clarity, urgency, and strong cross-functional alignment.
  • Translate broad program objectives into structured engineering workstreams, design paths, system requirements, and integration plans.
  • Serve as the central technical integrator across production release, design, analysis, validation, software and controls, calibration, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, and program teams.
  • Drive system and subsystem tradeoff decisions across power and torque output, transient response, fuel economy, emission compliance, lubrication and ventilation, thermal management, accessory drive, controls, NVH, and related engine interfaces.
  • Support development of future propulsion architecture strategies and transition technical work from new products into downstream execution organizations.
  • Lead technical reviews and provide data-based recommendations in situations involving ambiguity, limited precedent, aggressive timing, or competing requirements.
  • Work with suppliers and external engineering partners to mature concepts, assess alternatives, resolve technical gaps, and support program timing.
  • Mentor less-experienced engineers and act as a technical resource for the broader team.
  • Help ensure new product architectures are positioned for successful transfer into production execution with clear requirements, sound engineering rationale, and practical implementation paths.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering field
  • 10+ years of experience in internal combustion engines, hybrid propulsion systems, or closely related powertrain hardware
  • Demonstrated experience in system architecture, subsystem integration, or complex cross-functional technical leadership
  • Strong understanding of how mechanical and electromechanical systems must be balanced across performance, efficiency, cost, quality, manufacturability, and timing
  • Proven ability to work independently with minimal guidance on significant technical matters
  • Strong analytical, physics-based problem-solving, communication, and technical leadership skills
  • Demonstrated ability to influence direction and drive alignment across functions without direct authority
  • Experience leading technical work that spans multiple components, functions, or engineering disciplines

Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
  • Experience with engine architecture in HEV, PHEV, or other propulsion applications
  • Experience with BA, gate review processes, requirements definition, and early program development work
  • Experience with vehicle integration, subsystem interfaces, and architecture trade studies
  • Experience with supplier engagement and technical leadership in externally supported development work
  • Experience transitioning architecture and concept work into product execution teams
  • Working knowledge of GM engineering processes, standards, and new product development expectations

What Success Looks Like
  • Establishes clear architecture direction for engine programs early enough to support strong program execution
  • Leads cross-functional teams through complex technical decisions with sound judgment and practical engineering tradeoffs
  • Creates alignment across organizations on requirements, interfaces, timing, and technical direction
  • Delivers BA-phase engineering work with a high degree of ownership, organization, and technical rigor
  • Positions programs for smooth transition from new product architecture into downstream execution
  • Serves as a trusted technical leader and mentor within the team
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. 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.

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

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