Defense Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
General Motors Defense has multiple positions open! Please apply to be considered for a role in: Chassis, Body, Interior, Electrical, Software, Powertrain/RESS
About GM Defense
GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles and mobility solutions to defense, government, and security customers by leveraging the best of General Motors' commercial technologies. We rapidly adapt proven architectures, components, and processes from GM's global portfolio to meet demanding military and government requirements for performance, survivability, reliability, and total lifecycle cost.
The Role
GM Defense is seeking Lead Design Release Engineers to serve as the single accountable engineering owners for major subsystems on current and future defense programs.
Open roles support the following domains:

• Chassis (frame, suspension, steering, brakes, wheels/tires, driveline)
• Body / Exterior / Structures (BIW, closures, armor integration, exteriors, glazing, underbody)
• Interior (seating, restraints, IP/console, trim, HVAC interfaces, human factors)
• Electrical (low-voltage distribution, harnesses, controllers, sensors/actuators, power management)
• Software / Controls (embedded software, vehicle features, diagnostics, cybersecurity, integration of COTS and defense-specific software)
• Powertrain / RESS (engine integration, transmission/driveline interfaces, cooling, fuel systems, propulsion packaging, high-voltage battery systems, battery controls, charging interfaces, energy management)

In this role, you will own requirements, design, release, validation, issue resolution, and lifecycle change management for your assigned subsystem. You will drive technical direction across the program and ensure GM Defense solutions meet performance, safety, quality, cost, schedule, and compliance targets.
What You'll Do
Technical Ownership

• Serve as the single accountable engineering owner for a major subsystem from concept through production and sustainment
• Translate customer, regulatory, and military standards into clear technical requirements and design targets
• Own and maintain subsystem requirements, DFMEAs, DVPRs, BOMs, and CAD/CAE data
• Lead architecture definition, trade studies, and technical decision-making across the subsystem

Design & Release

• Lead the design, selection, and integration of components using GM production content, Commercial off the Shelf (COTS), and bespoke defense solutions
• Ensure designs are packaged, manufacturable, serviceable, and compatible with armor, mission equipment, and adjacent vehicle systems
• Execute formal part release and configuration control in GMD systems, including SOR, ICD, BOM, drawings, and specifications
• Drive engineering changes and configuration decisions across variants.

Validation & Quality

• Define and lead validation plans across bench, vehicle, and field test environments
• Drive issue identification, root cause analysis, containment, and corrective actions using structured problem-solving methods
• Support safety, durability, EMC, environmental, and survivability test activities, including readiness reviews and issue resolution

Cross-Functional Integration

• Lead coordination with systems engineering, vehicle integration, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management
• Interface directly with suppliers and technical partners, setting expectations and reviewing designs, analyses, and validation evidence
• Support build events at GM and partner sites, resolving integration, launch, and field issues in real time

Program Execution

• Develop and maintain engineering timing, deliverables, technical risks, and mitigation plans for the subsystem
• Provide clear status, risk, and trade-off recommendations to program leadership and customer-facing teams
• Support RFI/RFP responses
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to other engineers supporting the subsystem

Compliance & Configuration

• Ensure subsystem design and release comply with relevant military standards, regulations, and customer requirements
• Maintain robust configuration management across program phases, variants, and change events
• Support export control, security, and customer-specific program compliance requirements as applicable

Domain-Specific Focus Areas
Chassis Lead DRE

• Own frame, tie down and sling load points , suspension, steering, braking, wheels/tires, and driveline interfaces for on- and off-road mission profiles
• Balance ride/handling, payload, towing, mobility, and survivability requirements, including up-armored configurations
• Integrate commercial chassis content with defense-specific payloads, armor, and mobility upgrades
• Lead vehicle dynamics, braking, durability, NVH, and rollover-related technical decisions and validation support

Body / Exterior Lead DRE

• Own body-in-white, closures, exteriors, glazing, underbody systems, and armor integration interfaces
• Develop structural solutions that support crew protection, blast/ballistic objectives, and mission payloads while managing mass and manufacturability
• Ensure robust sealing, corrosion protection, environmental performance, and maintainability
• Lead packaging and integration of antennas, external sensors, racks, and mission equipment on body structures

Interior Lead DRE

• Own seating systems, restraints, interior trim, IP/console, stowage, and crew interface elements
• Ensure interior designs meet ergonomics, human factors, safety, and mission-effectiveness targets, including operation with PPE
• Integrate HVAC, communications, displays, controls, and power/data interfaces into the interior environment
• Lead trade-offs across comfort, durability, cleanability, and rapid reconfiguration for mission flexibility

Electrical Lead DRE

• Own power distribution, harnesses, junction boxes, controllers, lighting, sensors/actuators, and key subsystem interfaces
• Design architectures that support high electrical loads, mission systems, exportable power, robustness, and redundancy
• Ensure compliance with EMC/EMI, environmental, safety, and cybersecurity requirements in partnership with specialists
• Coordinate closely with software and controls to ensure robust electrical and data interfaces

Software / Controls Lead DRE

• Own embedded software requirements, integration, and validation for assigned vehicle features or mission-related functions
• Integrate GM production software, COTS components, and defense-specific applications to ensure reliable vehicle-level behavior
• Lead software validation strategies, including HIL/SIL, vehicle test, diagnostics, and update approaches where applicable
• Collaborate on cybersecurity, functional safety, diagnostics, and data management approaches aligned to program needs and standards

Powertrain / RESS Lead DRE

• Own propulsion system integration, including engine, transmission, driveline interfaces, cooling, fuel systems, mounts, and associated subsystem packaging as applicable to the platform
• Own Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) design release and integration, including battery pack, mounting, thermal interfaces, electrical/mechanical interfaces, serviceability, and protection strategies
• Balance performance, range, mobility, survivability, thermal performance, packaging, mass, and reliability requirements across mission profiles
• Integrate GM production content, COTS components, and defense-specific propulsion or energy storage solutions to support vehicle and mission needs
• Lead validation and issue resolution for propulsion and RESS-related requirements, including durability, thermal performance, environmental robustness, safety, diagnostics, and vehicle-level integration

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 5+ years of relevant product engineering experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, defense, aerospace, or a closely related industry
• Demonstrated experience as a Lead Design Release Engineer, technical lead, or equivalent, with end-to-end responsibility for a major subsystem
• Proven ability to lead work through concept, design, validation, launch, and field support on complex engineered products
• Experience working in CAD/CAE and PLM environments, including formal change management and part release processes
• Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and issue resolution skills in a fast-paced, hardware-focused environment
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to interface effectively with suppliers, customers, and cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical direction, manage subsystem risk, and mentor other engineers
• Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Direct experience with military or government vehicle programs, standards, or acquisition processes
• Familiarity with GM engineering processes, systems, and tools, including bills of material, release systems, and global vehicle development processes
• Experience in one or more of the following:
  • Chassis: vehicle dynamics, durability, off-road mobility, heavy payloads
  • Body: crashworthiness, armor integration, blast/ballistic considerations, advanced materials
  • Interior: human factors, safety systems, occupant packaging, ruggedized interiors
  • Electrical: high-demand power distribution, EMC/EMI, ruggedized harness design
  • Software: embedded controls, AUTOSAR or similar architectures, diagnostics, cybersecurity
• Prior work in low- to medium-volume, highly configured products and/or rapid prototyping environments
• Experience supporting build events, fielding, or sustainment for defense or commercial fleets

Work Location & Travel

• Primary work location: GM Global Technical Center (Warren, MI) or other GM Defense-designated engineering sites
• Regular on-site presence expected to support labs, builds, and cross-functional collaboration
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically, and occasionally internationally, to test sites, supplier locations, and customer facilities as required

#GMD
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 <25% for this role.This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis and successfully complete a Motor Vehicle Report review.The position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).
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