General Motors

Staff Technology Manager - Suspension

General Motors$120K — $150K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years experience in chassis systems (steering, braking, suspension, driveline), with at least 3 years in steering.
  • 3+ years leading chassis architecture Pugh trade-off studies for vehicle contenting and business cases.
  • Proven ability to foster cross-functional alignment among diverse stakeholders in fast-paced environments.
  • Strong background in developing electro-mechanical systems with embedded electronics and software.
  • Exceptional communicator capable of simplifying complex technical concepts for various audiences.
  • Highly autonomous program leader with a track record in managing multiple, complex initiatives.
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.

Responsibilities

  • Set and communicate the steering technology vision to enhance performance and key KPIs.
  • Own and manage the suspension roadmap and content plan for various programs.
  • Lead cross-functional collaboration to align on strategies and content decisions.
  • Translate strategic direction into actionable technology initiatives and plans.
  • Analyze market trends and technologies to identify opportunities and gaps.
  • Develop and present business cases for new technologies, ensuring leadership buy-in.
  • Define KPIs for technology adoption and track ongoing performance and improvements.
  • Manage a secondary chassis product area as an additional responsibility.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellbeing programs including medical, dental, and vision options.
  • Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for better financial management.
  • Retirement savings plans and life insurance to secure your future.
  • Paid vacation and holidays to promote work-life balance.
  • Tuition assistance programs for ongoing education and professional development.
  • Employee assistance programs for personal and professional support.
  • Generous discounts on GM vehicles to enjoy the company’s products.
Full Job Description

Job Description

Work Arrangement:  

Hybrid: 

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Milford, Michigan three times per week, at minimum.  

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced, visionary leader to join the Chassis Technology team at General Motors as a Staff Technology Manager – Suspension. In this role, you will help define how every future GM vehicle feels on the road by setting the steering technology strategy and building the roadmap that brings it to life across all current and next-generation products.

As the Staff Technology Manager for Suspension, you will be the directly responsible individual for the suspension strategy, roadmap, and content plan, and for initiating key work across GM’s software and electronics engineering organizations. The decisions you make will direct millions of dollars of annual investment and guide the efforts of numerous engineering teams around the globe.

You will work cross-functionally with leaders and colleagues across the company – including vehicle program teams, software, electronics, chassis, and controls – to align on a compelling vision and an executable plan. You will stay ahead of industry trends, scout and assess emerging technologies, create and showcase future suspension experiences, and translate them into a clear, actionable technology roadmap.

The ideal candidate is deeply passionate and highly knowledgeable about chassis, steering, electronics, and controls, and is driven to deliver technologies that are:

  • Customer-centric – elevating confidence, comfort, and driving enjoyment
  • Software-defined and future-ready – enabling rapid innovation over the life of the vehicle
  • Strategically and financially sound – creating sustainable competitive advantage for GM

This is a rare opportunity to shape how millions of customers experience their vehicles every day and to play a central role in GM’s journey toward a software-defined, electrified future.

What You’ll Do:

  • Set and communicate steering technology vision to optimize vehicle /  system performance and elevate key KPIs.
  • Own the suspension roadmap and content plan across programs, architectures, and hardware/software variants.
  • Lead cross-functional alignment (executive leadership, engineering, programs, suppliers, finance, etc.) on strategy, roadmap, and content decisions.
  • Translate strategy into execution by driving technology initiatives/PRDs, rollout plans, and make-vs-buy decisions.
  • Analyze the market, competitors, and technologies to identify opportunities, gaps, risks, and new capability needs.
  • Develop and justify business cases for new technologies and secure leadership alignment and funding.
  • Define, track, and report KPIs on technology adoption, performance, and customer/business impact; monitor product health and drive continuous improvement.
  • Lead an additional chassis product area (small in size & scope) as a second-dimensional assignment.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

  • 8+ years chassis systems experience (steering, braking, suspension, driveline), including 3+ years focused on steering.
  • 3+ years leading chassis architecture Pugh trade off studies that drive vehicle contenting and business cases.
  • Proven cross-functional leader with a track record of negotiating alignment on technology plans and content across diverse stakeholders in fast-paced development environments.
  • Strong systems background developing new electro-mechanical systems with embedded electronics and software.
  • Exceptional communicator able to integrate vision, strategy, and deep technical detail into clear narratives for all organizational levels.
  • Highly autonomous program leader managing multiple complex initiatives, resolving ambiguous technical problems without precedent, and delivering results.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.

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

  • 10+ years chassis systems experience (steering, braking, suspension, driveline), including 3+ years focused on steering.
  • 5+ years leading chassis architecture Pugh trade off studies that drive vehicle contenting and business cases.
  • Chassis tuning expertise – hands-on experience with chassis hardware performance tuning and calibration, with a strong understanding of how suspension interacts with braking, steering, and driveline.
  • Chassis domain authority – broad, system-level knowledge of vehicle dynamics and chassis architectures, enabling smart tradeoffs that optimize whole-vehicle performance.
  • Strong embedded systems background – deep knowledge of embedded hardware, systems, and software development, well-suited for mechatronic suspension solutions.
  • Experience implementing systems and features across multiple hardware variants, vehicle platforms, and electrical architectures.
  • Significant experience leading chassis architecture Pugh analyses that balance performance, cost, and enterprise business case.
  • Customer-driven improvement mindset – history of collecting customer feedback and leading product improvements that enhance driver and user experience.
  • Advanced education – Master’s degree in Engineering and/or Business Administration, combining deep technical rigor with strong business acumen.

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.  

Benefits:  

GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.   

Relocation:  

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

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

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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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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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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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