Electrical Subsystem Architect - GM Defense

General Motors • Milford, MI

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

GM Defense develops integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, and autonomy and connectivity solutions for global defense, security, and government customers. It adapts technologies from GM’s commercial vehicle platforms into military-grade solutions.

The Subsystem Architect identifies and evaluates subsystem building blocks for new GM Defense products and supports the planning and execution of concept demonstrator builds. The role leads structured trade studies and recommends solutions using packaging, performance, cost, mass, and timing as key criteria. It supports the translation of selected concepts into demonstrator hardware through component sourcing, build planning, issue resolution, and performance assessment. This senior individual-contributor role works across engineering teams to define subsystem concepts, align technical decisions, and make data-based architecture recommendations. The focus areas are Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), and Power System Distribution System (PSDS).

The role is hybrid, with the selected candidate expected to report to a specific location at least three times per week or at another frequency set by their manager. Travel is less than 25%. The role is subject to export controls and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person. GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship, and the role is not eligible for relocation benefits. Eligible employees may participate in a company vehicle evaluation program after a successful motor vehicle report review; participants generally must purchase or lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years, subject to limited exceptions.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• At least 8 years of professional engineering experience in vehicle, subsystem, or product engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in vehicle integration, subsystem architecture, or system-level engineering.
• Deep experience across a subsystem’s requirements, interfaces, packaging, performance, cost, validation, and implementation, gained through work on multiple programs.
• Ability to evaluate technical alternatives and make data-driven recommendations based on cost, mass, performance, packaging, and timing.
• Strong understanding of engineering theory and the principles of operation of mechanical and/or electrical systems.
• Experience leading or supporting structured trade studies, decision matrices, and technical down-selection activities.
• Ability to work effectively across engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, finance, and program management teams.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex trade-offs to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to identify technical risks, assumptions, and integration constraints early in product development.
• Experience creating clear, concise engineering recommendations for leadership and program decision forums.
• Must be a U.S. Person: U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience defining subsystem building blocks and architecture strategies for new vehicle or mobility products.
• Background in vehicle-level packaging and interface management across multiple systems.
• Experience evaluating carryover, derivative, and all-new subsystem solutions.
• Vehicle- or system-level EMI/EMC experience, including requirements, design, integration, testing, and problem resolution.
• Familiarity with systems engineering methods, requirements management, DFMEA, DVP&R, and change control processes.
• Experience developing quantitative comparison tools for architecture selection and design trade-off decisions.
• Knowledge of manufacturing, assembly, and serviceability considerations affecting subsystem architecture choices.
• Experience supporting defense, government, or other highly regulated product development programs.
• Ability to synthesize technical, business, and program inputs into recommendations that improve product outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Identify subsystem architecture options and building-block alternatives for new GM Defense vehicle and product applications.
• Lead trade studies comparing technical alternatives using packaging, performance, cost, mass, and timing.
• Translate product and customer needs into subsystem-level architectural requirements, assumptions, and decision criteria.
• Work with design, systems, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, finance, and program teams to assess feasibility and integration risk.
• Develop recommendation packages communicating trade-offs, assumptions, risks, and proposed paths forward.
• Evaluate carryover, modified, and new-design subsystem solutions during early concept development.
• Assess subsystem compatibility with vehicle and product architecture, including physical integration and interface impacts.
• Facilitate technical reviews and cross-functional discussions to align subsystem decisions.
• Support resolution of issues affecting program execution, integration, builds, or testing.
• Support concept demonstrator build planning and execution, including ordering component parts and coordinating material needs.
• Help develop build instructions and technical documentation for concept demonstrator assembly.
• Resolve demonstrator build issues by working with engineering and build teams to identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Assess subsystem and vehicle performance issues observed during demonstrator builds and evaluations, and incorporate improvements into future recommendations.
• Create and maintain engineering analyses, comparison matrices, and decision documentation for leadership reviews and program checkpoints.
• Identify architecture-related timing risks, dependency impacts, and decision gates for program planning.
• Assist Chief Engineers, Program Engineering Managers, and engineering leaders with technical recommendations, scenario analysis, and product definition decisions.
• Perform other related duties in support of vehicle and program success.

Benefits

• Eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program after successful motor vehicle report review; participants generally must purchase or lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years, subject to limited exceptions.
• GM describes its benefits as supporting employee well-being at work and at home and directs candidates to its Total Rewards resources for details.

What This Job Offers

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