Job Description

The Role

The Design Manager leads design and engineering activities for construction projects across General Motors manufacturing and non-manufacturing sites. As a preconstruction leader, this role converts incomplete or conflicting business, process, site and operational inputs into an approved, documented and executable technical scope. The Design Manager coordinates internal subject-matter experts, architecture and engineering partners, design-builders and support functions from strategic planning and concept validation through coordinated design development, procurement, construction execution and occupancy. This role delivers safe, high-quality, constructible and bidding-ready solutions aligned with approved scope, schedule, cost, GM standards and stakeholder needs.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the preconstruction technical path from strategic intent and early planning through an approved, fully coordinated construction document package and formal handoff to construction.
• Organize internal subject-matter experts and project partners to develop Statements of Requirements, Requests for Proposals, design criteria, execution plans, scopes of service and project-specific engagement plans.
• Establish and maintain the design basis, scope narrative, interface matrix, design deliverable matrix, assumptions and decision log as traceable controls for cost, schedule, procurement and design decisions.
• Lead design governance and stage-gate reviews; prepare decision-ready materials for senior leadership and steering committees; and track actions, decisions, approvals, risks, issues and interfaces to closure.
• Direct code, regulatory, permitting and Authority Having Jurisdiction coordination, including applicable site, zoning, environmental, fire, utility, stormwater and other jurisdictional requirements.
• Coordinate AE firms, design consultants and design-builders through design schedules, BIM/VDC expectations, submittals, package releases, QA/QC and integrated reviews for scope alignment, code compliance, constructability, operations, safety, sustainability, commissioning and bidding/IFC readiness.
• Lead the design phase for assigned projects, manage changing priorities and concurrent work, communicate impacts and recommendations, and improve design-management tools, standards, lessons learned and team capability.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in architecture, engineering or construction supporting major commercial, industrial or comparable capital projects.
• Experience coordinating facilities design and construction activities and technically leading complex, multi-discipline projects from early planning and front-end scope development through coordinated construction documents and construction handoff.
• Experience reviewing engineering drawings, specifications, design calculations, construction documents and applicable building codes, and leading code analysis, regulatory strategy, permit planning and AHJ coordination.
• Knowledge of design management, construction delivery, estimating, scheduling, procurement and project controls principles as applied to capital projects.
• Experience organizing and influencing internal SMEs, AE consultants, design-builders, contractors, operations representatives and other stakeholders; resolving technical conflict and building commitment without relying solely on positional authority.
• Experience directing design reviews, interdisciplinary coordination, QA/QC, constructability and bidding-readiness reviews, including readiness for permitting, bidding and IFC release.
• Working knowledge of BIM/VDC coordination, common data environments, design-review workflows and document-control practices for complex technical deliverables.
• Strong analytical, organizational, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations and exercise sound judgment with incomplete information.
• Strong computer skills, particularly in Google Docs, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Microsoft Project and design-review or cost-estimating software.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality and compliance with GM policies and procedures, plus willingness and ability to travel within North America; passport required.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience with automotive or industrial building projects, including original equipment manufacturer, Tier 1 or similar environments.
• Working knowledge of GM organizational structure, construction processes and governance for capital planning, design and execution.
• Basic knowledge of automotive manufacturing and assembly processes, including assembly, stamping, powertrain, casting and paint operations.
• Experience with front-end planning and budgeting processes for capital projects and with design-build or design-bid-build delivery strategies.
• Master’s degree in architecture, engineering, construction management or business, such as an MBA.
• Experience initiating and organizing multi-discipline project teams spanning engineering, finance, purchasing, safety, contractors and external partners.