Design Release Engineer - Hard Trim & Overhead Systems

General Motors • Warren, MI

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

General Motors is seeking an experienced, motivated engineer to develop and integrate injection-molded hard trim and overhead components into vehicle interiors. The role covers injection-molded hard trim, headliner substrates, and overhead components such as lights, coat hooks, and assist handles.

The engineer supports development throughout the vehicle lifecycle, including defining requirements, executing designs while balancing fit, finish, design for assembly, design for manufacturing, and cost, releasing components, and approving validation results. The role leads and drives a cross-functional product development team, collaborating with engineering groups and stakeholders across design, purchasing, ergonomics, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and value-added assembly.

This position is categorized as hybrid, with the selected candidate expected to report to a specific location at least three times a week or at another frequency set by their manager. Travel is less than 25%. The role is not eligible for relocation benefits. General Motors does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or U.S. equivalent; mechanical engineering preferred.
• At least 4 years of entry-level automotive experience.
• Strong interest in learning about plastic materials, compression molding, and injection molding processes.
• Experience using an engineering problem-solving process to define requirements, evaluate concepts, document decisions, and support testing or validation.
• Experience with 3D CAD, engineering drawings, basic GD&T, and dimensional evaluation.
• Hands-on experience with prototype builds, physical measurements, component fit and finish, ergonomics, or testing.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and clearly communicating technical information to engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, or other stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and present technical recommendations using tools such as Excel or PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, accountability, and willingness to learn within a structured engineering development environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with injection molding, compression molding, plastic materials, or interior trim.
• Automotive vehicle development, build, launch, or supplier experience.
• Experience with NX/Unigraphics, Teamcenter, Vis Mockup, or similar engineering tools.
• Exposure to DFMEA, PFMEA, DFSS, Red-X, structured problem solving, or PRTS.
• Experience evaluating fit, finish, tolerance variation, assembly ergonomics, or manufacturing feasibility.
• Experience supporting vehicle programs or collaborating with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate injection-molded hard trim and overhead components into vehicle interiors.
• Support injection-molded hard trim components, headliner substrates, and overhead components such as lights, coat hooks, and assist handles.
• Define requirements throughout the vehicle development lifecycle.
• Execute designs while balancing fit, finish, design for assembly, design for manufacturing, cost, and other imperatives.
• Release all components and approve validation results.
• Lead and drive a cross-functional product development team.
• Collaborate with engineering groups including Engineering Design, Interior Restraints Systems, adjacent interior components, Body Systems, CCC Overhead and Hard Trim components, Electrical System, HVAC System, and Cargo Management System.
• Collaborate with Creative Design, Purchasing, Ergonomics, Manufacturing, Value Added Assembler, Quality, and suppliers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level