Electrical Subsystem Architect - GM Defense

GM • Warren, MI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

GM Defense develops integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, and autonomy and connectivity solutions for global defense, security, and government customers. The Electrical Subsystem Architect identifies and evaluates subsystem building blocks for new GM Defense products and supports concept demonstrator planning and execution. The role leads structured trade studies to compare feasible alternatives and recommend approaches based on packaging, performance, cost, mass, and timing. The position focuses on Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), and Power System Distribution System (PSDS).

As a senior individual contributor, the architect works across engineering and other functions to define subsystem concepts, align technical decisions, and provide data-based recommendations that support program objectives. The role helps translate selected concepts into demonstrator hardware through component sourcing, build planning, issue resolution, and performance assessment. This hybrid position requires reporting to a specific location at least three times per week or at another frequency set by the manager. Travel is less than 25%. The role is subject to export-control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person. GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship, and relocation benefits are not offered.

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 preparing 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.
• Must be able to meet the hybrid reporting expectation and travel less than 25%.

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 concepts involving 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 vehicle and product applications.
• Lead trade studies comparing technical alternatives using packaging, performance, cost, mass, and timing as primary criteria.
• Translate product and customer needs into subsystem-level architectural requirements, assumptions, and decision criteria.
• Partner with design, systems, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, finance, and program teams to assess feasibility and integration risk.
• Prepare recommendation packages communicating trade-offs, assumptions, risks, and proposed next steps.
• Evaluate carryover, modified, and new-design subsystem solutions during early concept development.
• Assess subsystem compatibility with overall vehicle and product architecture, including physical integration and interface impacts.
• Facilitate technical reviews and cross-functional discussions to align subsystem decisions.
• Support issue resolution when architecture decisions affect program execution, integration, builds, or testing.
• Support concept demonstrator 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 implement corrective actions.
• Assess subsystem and vehicle performance issues observed during demonstrator builds and evaluations, and drive 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 are required to purchase or lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless an exception applies.
• GM states that it supports employee well-being at work and at home and provides Total Rewards resources; specific benefits are not listed.

What This Job Offers

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