General Motors

Technical Specialist - Seat Plastics

General Motors$85K — $110K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of engineering experience; 8+ years preferred.
  • Direct experience in automotive plastics design and manufacturing.
  • Knowledge of GM engineering processes (GVDP, SSTS/CTS/GMW, DFMEA).
  • Experience in seat system packaging and integration, specifically with plastic components.
  • Proven problem-solving skills in plastics-related challenges.

Responsibilities

  • Own product safety and compliance for plastics in seating systems.
  • Support field action analysis and investigations on plastic components.
  • Lead product safety processes considering durability and material performance.
  • Ensure visibility of issues across programs via the S-PRTS process.
  • Support the development of plastics BOM row strategy through global variant mapping.
  • Drive data-informed decisions on quality, sustainability, and material trends.
  • Lead assessment of new plastics technologies for weight reduction and integration.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with at least three days on-site.
  • Engage in a collaborative cross-functional team environment.
  • Opportunities for professional development in advanced materials.
  • Work on innovative projects at the cutting edge of automotive technology.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Job Description

This role is categorized as hybrid, meaning the selected candidate will be expected to work on-site at the Warren Tech Center at least three days per week (or other frequency determined by their manager).
  • This role is not eligible for relocation assistance


About the Role

The Seat Plastics Technical Specialist (TS) is responsible for leading the development and definition of plastics content within a specific vehicle partition, with a primary focus on seating systems and related components.

This is a highly cross-functional role, serving as the subject matter expert for plastics within assigned BOM row(s) in the seat complete space. The scope includes injection-molded, blow-molded, compression-molded, and engineered plastic structures used in seat frames and components.

The role encompasses BOM row strategy, technology and knowledge management, structural BOM ownership, product safety engagement, global technical direction, peer review leadership, and development and maintenance of core DFMEA content for plastics. This position requires a high level of independent judgment, initiative, and comfort working in ambiguous environments.

Experience supporting seating systems through multiple vehicle development cycles and/or expertise in cost development, complexity optimization, and plastics manufacturing technologies is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:
BOM Row Safety & Compliance - Plastics
  • Own product safety and compliance for plastics-related BOM rows within seating systems, including structural and appearance components (frames, side shields, trim bezels, recliner covers, comfort components, etc.)
  • Support field action analysis and product safety investigations involving plastic seat components
  • Lead engagement in product safety processes, including evaluation of issues such as durability, fracture, odor, VOCs, emissions, and material performance
  • Author or co-author Preventative Action Letters (PAL) following product investigations
  • Ensure effective read-across of issues across current and legacy programs through the S-PRTS process
BOM Row Strategy - Seat Plastics
  • Support development and approval of plastics BOM row strategy through the BOM Strategy Executive Team (BSET), including deployment of global variant maps
  • Define and drive complexity and content strategies across materials, processes, geometry families, and Corporate Common Components (CCC)
  • Lead benchmarking, competitive analysis, and consumer insights to inform strategy (e.g., JDP, Compass, teardown studies)
  • Drive data-informed decisions related to perceived quality, sustainability, and emerging material trends
BOM Row Knowledge & Standards - Plastics
  • Define and maintain technical requirements (SSTS, CTS, GMW) for plastics within seating systems
  • Lead development and maintenance of core DFMEA templates for plastics content, including manufacturing and design controls
  • Develop and maintain best practices, design guidelines, KCDS, and ICD documentation for plastics design and manufacturing
  • Support design reviews and peer reviews, ensuring robust closure of technical actions
  • Develop and support business cases, AR planning, and funding strategies for plastics-related decisions (materials, tooling, cost optimization)
4. Product Innovation & Technology Advancement - Seat Plastics
  • Support integration of plastics content within complete seat systems, including interfaces with metal, foam, trim, and electrical components
  • Maintain core template DES content for plastics requirements
  • Participate in supplier capability assessments and technical reviews for plastics processes and technologies
  • Align plastics strategy to GVDP milestones (PFI → DSI → ESO → IDR → VDR), ensuring manufacturability and consistency
  • Support early program development by applying BOM strategy to architecture and design decisions
  • Approve technical content in engineering SOWs (eSOR) where applicable
  • Lead advancement of new plastics technologies, including lightweighting, recycled materials, insert molding, and functional integration
Basic Required Qualifications
  • 5+ years of engineering experience (8+ years preferred), with direct experience in automotive plastics design and manufacturing
  • Knowledge of GM engineering processes (GVDP, SSTS/CTS/GMW, DFMEA, KCDS, ICDs, peer reviews)
  • Strong experience in seat system packaging and integration, including plastics interfaces with metal structures, foam, trim, and electrical systems
  • Experience working with OEMs, suppliers, and toolmakers in plastics manufacturing
  • Demonstrated problem-solving experience (e.g., DFSS Black Belt, Red X) applied to plastics-related challenges such as warpage, dimensional variation, appearance, and durability


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., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

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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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