General Motors

Zone Manufacturing Engineer - General Assembly (Vehicle Assembly)

General Motors • $80K — $95K *
Warren, MI 48089In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 2-4 years of experience in manufacturing, ideally in automotive industry.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field, or equivalent relevant manufacturing experience.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex issues independently.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
  • Proven project management skills with the ability to manage complex projects with autonomy and accountability.
  • Demonstrated initiative to improve process outputs and support team efforts.
  • Flexibility to adapt work hours and environments to meet project needs.

Responsibilities

  • Lead new programs, model changes, and production activities in assigned General Assembly zone.
  • Define, procure, and validate tooling and material handling requirements by launch timelines.
  • Maintain visual management throughout project installation and lead regular review meetings.
  • Develop manufacturing processes ensuring efficient use of resources.
  • Design and integrate equipment and tooling from concept through continuous improvement.
  • Interface with cross-functional teams to align on tooling, processes, and standards.
  • Develop material flow strategies to enhance efficiency within the zone.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment requiring office attendance at least 3 times a week.
  • Opportunity for extensive travel during product program launches.
  • Potential eligibility for relocation benefits.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Role

As a Zone Manufacturing Engineer, you will own a defined zone in General Assembly and lead it from concept through launch to steady-state production. You will work largely autonomously with occasional guidance, applying your expertise in equipment/tooling, process flow, and material movement to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality vehicle assembly. This role operates in both centralized manufacturing engineering and plant environments where creativity, initiative, and independent judgment are critical.

What You'll Do

Zone Ownership & Launch Execution
  • Lead all new programs, model changes, and current production activities within an assigned General Assembly zone.
  • Ensure all tooling, conveyors, material handling, and automation requirements for the zone are defined, procured, installed, and validated per launch timelines.
  • Define all zone-related changes, including product and manufacturing requirements (tooling, workstation setup, facilities, conveyance, etc.).
  • Develop and maintain visual management for the zone during project installation and validation; lead regular review meetings.
  • Support build events at the plant, resolve launch issues, and ensure lessons learned from previous launches are captured and applied.


Process & Tooling Engineering
  • Lead development of robust manufacturing processes, including sequence and flow of operations for effective utilization of people, material, machines, and facilities.
  • Design, specify, and integrate equipment and tooling, from concept through construction, plant installation, launch, and continuous improvement.
  • Develop tooling Statements of Requirements (SORs) and manage tooling, stations, or specific technology projects to timing, cost, and performance targets.
  • Support the design, build, and validation of tools with suppliers; provide technical direction and oversight to external partners.
  • Ensure design documentation and spare parts planning are completed to support long-term equipment reliability.
  • Complete all tooling/equipment-related launch tasks and documentation required by the launch team.


Cross-Functional Integration & Planning
  • Lead interfaces with cross-functional partners (Process, Materials, Product Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Operations, etc.) to develop and align on common tooling, processes, and standards across the department and related groups.
  • Participate in product and cross-functional meetings to support product/process interface and manufacturability.
  • Participate in regular integration planning meetings (install requirements, phasing, pull-ahead plans, conveyance interface, etc.).
  • Support development of material plans and part presentation for zone process content.
  • Lead deep-dive reviews of process development and implementation for the assigned zone.


Material Flow & Logistics Integration
  • Develop efficient material flow concepts and strategies for future material movement into and within the zone.
  • Support creation of business cases for critical tooling-to-container interfaces and material presentation strategies.


Quality, Risk & Safety
  • Complete process risk assessments (such as PFMEA) for assigned programs to identify and mitigate process risks.
  • Support execution of build validation plans and integrate lessons learned into zone designs and processes.
  • Participate in safety observation activities and partner with safety/ergonomics teams to ensure tools, workstations, and processes meet or exceed company standards.


Systems, Documentation & Governance
  • Maintain status of process change requests and related documentation in engineering and manufacturing systems.
  • Support virtual or digital builds to validate process and tooling readiness prior to physical builds.
  • Maintain zone tooling requirements and cross-check against standard and special tool lists.
  • Define specialized power tool and fastening requirements and coordinate with appropriate stakeholders.
  • Ensure maintenance training is on track for all critical equipment in the zone.
  • Support program financial reviews related to zone tooling, equipment, and process investments.


Work Environment
  • Work will involve some weekends, holidays, off-shift support, and travel, which may be extensive at times during product program launches.


Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • 2-4 years of experience in Manufacturing.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field; equivalent relevant manufacturing experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems independently and drive issues to resolution.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions and levels.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple, highly complex projects and assignments with a high degree of autonomy and accountability for results.
  • Demonstrated initiative in going beyond assigned work to improve outputs and support others.
  • Strong project management skills (planning, risk management, stakeholder alignment, and execution to timeline).
  • Flexibility with changing work hours and environments to meet project timelines and support plant operating schedules.
  • Willingness and ability to work weekends and holidays as required.
  • Ability to travel, sometimes extensively, during product program launches.
  • Demonstrated analytical ability and interpersonal skills to build relationships, solve problems, and resolve issues with team members and stakeholders.


What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
  • 1-2 years of experience in the automotive industry.
  • Extensive knowledge of company safety and design standards.
  • Experience with:
    • General Assembly tooling, conveyors, and automation.
    • Development and application of PFMEA or similar risk assessment tools in launch environments.
    • Digital build tools and manufacturing engineering systems, including standard tooling and equipment databases.

#LI-MH1

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 at least 50% or more on a frequent basis.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.

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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
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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