General Motors

Program Validation and Safety Manager (GPSSC)

General Motors • $100K — $130K *
Milford, MI 48381Hybrid
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field
  • 8+ years in product development, validation, systems engineering, or safety-critical development
  • 3+ years of people leadership experience
  • Strong knowledge of GVDP, validation planning, and risk-based frameworks
  • Working knowledge of Functional Safety (ISO 26262) and DVUL processes
  • Proven ability to manage multiple programs in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong cross-functional leadership and communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead and coach Program Validation Safety Engineers to enhance leadership and technical skills
  • Ensure robust, risk-based validation strategies across programs
  • Integrate Functional Safety and DVUL requirements into program execution planning
  • Establish and improve validation standards and reporting tools
  • Manage a team of PVSEs to align validation and safety strategies across functions
  • Provide clear data-driven insights on program status to influence leadership decisions

Benefits

  • Participation in a company vehicle evaluation program with assigned GM vehicles
  • Eligibility for relocation benefits if applicable
  • Hybrid work model with reporting to the office at least three times a week
  • Travel requirement of less than 25%
Full Job Description

Job Description

The Role
The Program Validation and Safety Assurance team delivers safe, compliant, and validated vehicles by proactively identifying and mitigating risk while continuously advancing processes, tools, and cross-functional collaboration.

As PVSM, you will provide strategic and execution leadership for Program Validation Safety Engineers, ensuring disciplined, risk-based validation across multiple vehicle programs. You are accountable for aligning and integrating Program Validation, Functional Safety, DVUL and Global Vehicle Build Exception (GVBE) into a unified validation and safety assurance strategy—driving early risk identification, robust verification planning, and closure of safety-critical deliverables. This role requires strong cross-functional leadership to influence engineering, program, and leadership stakeholders, ensuring program readiness for PVCL while advancing GM’s vision of Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion.

What You'll Do

  • Lead & Develop Talent
    Lead and coach Program Validation Safety Engineers; build leadership capability, strengthen technical depth, and foster a high-performance, inclusive culture

  • Deliver Program Execution
    Ensure robust, risk-based validation strategies and execution across multiple programs; drive PVCL readiness with clear risk identification, trade-off decisions, and mitigation ownership
    Integrate Program Validation, DVUL, and Functional Safety deliverables into cohesive execution plans aligned to GVDP milestones

  • Lead Functional Safety & DVUL Integration
    Lead integration of Functional Safety, DVUL, and validation requirements into program execution
    Ensure completeness and closure of safety deliverables (e.g. verifying program VeSCoM is ready to move through DVUL, VDC/PVCL, salable/CTF and STC safety readiness) while meeting regulatory and internal performance standards
    Drive cross-functional alignment to resolve safety risks and ensure audit-ready program readiness

  • Drive Standards & Continuous Improvement
    Establish and improve validation standard work, tools, and reporting; drive consistency and scalability across programs
    Lead efforts to automate program status reporting and enhance data-driven decision-making

  • Enable Cross-Functional Alignment
    Manage the team of PVSE’s to deliver GVBE (physical and virtual) by partnering with Chief Engineers, Program Engineering, Safety, and Quality to align validation and safety strategies, influence decisions, and resolve complex cross-functional conflicts impacting program risk and timing. 

  • Communicate & Influence
    Provide clear, data-driven insights on program status, risks, and trade-offs; influence leadership decision-making and support governance forums with actionable recommendations

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field

  • 8+ years of experience in product development, validation, systems engineering, or safety-critical development

  • 3+ years of people leadership experience, including leading technical teams or leaders

  • Strong knowledge of GVDP, validation planning, and risk-based execution frameworks

  • Working knowledge of Functional Safety (ISO 26262), DVUL processes, and safety-critical system development

  • Proven ability to lead through others, manage multiple programs, and prioritize in a complex, fast-paced environment

  • Strong cross-functional leadership, communication, and stakeholder influence skills

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

  • Experience leading multiple program teams or technical leaders across complex vehicle programs

  • Deep understanding of vehicle/system-level validation, integration, and safety assurance

  • Experience integrating validation, DVUL, and functional safety in production programs

  • Demonstrated success driving process standardization, tool adoption, and organizational capability improvements

  • Strong program/project management capability (PMP, Agile, or equivalent)

  • Experience in safety-critical systems, regulatory compliance, or global vehicle programs

Company Vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through 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.

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 may be eligible for relocation benefits.

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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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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