Staff/Thermal Lead Design Release Engineer

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.   Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

GM is seeking Staff Lead Design Release Engineers and Lead Design Release Engineers responsible for leading product development and integration of thermal system components and subsystems for assigned vehicle program(s), inclusive of both underhood and in-cabin content. As Staff Lead DRE for the Thermal Team, you will lead a team of thermal component DREs to deliver on-time development, release, validation, and production of thermal subsystems and related components. The role may also include direct release responsibility for select thermal components or subsystems and mentoring of other Lead DREs within the space. This position is a strong fit for an engineer seeking system-level design and performance ownership, team leadership responsibilities, regular interaction with the program team, visits to GM and supplier assembly plants, and broad cross-functional collaboration (including Systems, Performance, Calibration/Diagnostics, Design, Safety / Crashworthiness, Propulsion, HVAC, Electrical, Vehicle and GPS Integration, Manufacturing Engineering, Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Validation, and others). You will join a strong team with support from Technical Specialists, the EGM, and DRE peers.

(Responsibilities) Lead your System PDT (product development team) for assigned architecture & program(s) and work with component DREs to ensure all key deliverables are met on time and with high quality. Facilitate non-standard meetings or work groups (integration and cross-functional) to drive resolution of high-risk, complex, system-level issues with optimized solutions. Serve as the studio interface for thermal content on your architecture & program(s) (post VPI), including leading escalation through Health Check or other means to resolve studio criteria violations and document deviations. Utilize GM engineering tools and processes to successfully develop thermal components and systems and to rigorously manage program milestones. Maintain architectural governance of parts and subsystems Coach, mentor, and lead DREs, Lead DREs, and suppliers to execute program deliverables with excellence Create and update the Cabin Comfort Scorecard Provide “boots on the ground” support for DREs not located in the region. Perform appropriate design studies, including alternative analyses, and recommend solutions that balance performance, cost, mass, timing, packaging, energy efficiency, and vehicle integration. Own subsystem-level thermal performance and system-level issue management (JIRA PRTS), including support for cabin comfort, powertrain thermal management, cooling performance, and related attribute delivery. Act as the primary conduit between the VSE, LDE, and the DRE team, supporting DREs in CITs, VAPIRs, VPITs, CPITs, and other key meetings. Act as a surrogate for your EGM. Lead integration of the thermal subsystem into the total vehicle, ensuring effective coordination across underhood and in-cabin interfaces. Ensure documented compliance to CTS, SSTS, STS, FTS, VTS, and Design Best Practices requirements for your parts. Lead your team in the on-time completion of required Peer Reviews and Routing Quality Assessments (RQAs). Coordinate engineering activities with Suppliers, Supplier Quality, Purchasing, Performance, Validation, Manufacturing, Safety, Electrical, HVAC, Propulsion, Software and Services, and Vehicle Integration to