Lead Exterior Creative Designer – Studio

Job Description The Role

Our Design organization plays a critical role in realizing GM’s vision by shaping the emotional and functional character of every vehicle and experience we create. Within this organization, the General Motors Performance Studio is at the forefront of expressive, driver-focused performance design that elevates our iconic nameplates and future products.

The Lead Creative Designer – Performance Studio is responsible for leading advanced and production exterior performance design for GM performance vehicles and programs. This role focuses on performance-oriented products, including aero packages, exterior graphics, appearance packages, and motor sport opportunities.

The ideal candidate is a highly creative, hands‑on exterior designer with a deep understanding of performance vehicle proportion, brand character, aerodynamics, and motorsports‑inspired aesthetics, combined with the leadership skills to guide a team of designers and cross‑functional partners.

• Lead the creative development of exterior performance design concepts for new and existing GM performance vehicles, programs, and accessories, from early ideation through production implementation.

• Define and communicate a compelling performance design vision that aligns with each brand’s DNA and GM’s overall design strategy.

• Generate high‑quality sketches, renderings, and digital models that explore proportion, surface development, graphics, and aero elements with a strong sense of emotion, stance, and performance authenticity.

• Direct, mentor, and inspire a small team of creative designers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence in craft.

• Partner closely with Studio leadership, Clay and Digital Sculpting, Engineering, Aerodynamics, Performance Engineering, Marketing, and Program Management to balance design intent with feasibility, performance targets, cost, and timing.

• Champion brand‑appropriate performance graphics, color‑breaks, and visual signatures that reinforce vehicle identity on both road and track, leveraging GM’s digital design workflows (including VR reviews and advanced visualization) to refine quality and accelerate decision‑making.

• Monitor industry, motorsports, and cultural trends related to performance, customization, and enthusiast communities and advocate for the customer and enthusiast perspective in all design decisions.

• Bachelor’sdegreein
  
  Transportation
  
  Design,Industrial Design,orrelatedfieldfromanaccreditedinstitution.

• 7+yearsofprofessionalautomotiveexteriordesignexperiencewithastrongportfolioofperformance-orientedandadvanced/productionprograms.

• Provenexperienceleadingdesignthemesorsub-programsfromconceptthroughproductioninclosepartnershipwithclay/digitalsculptingandengineering.

• Expertsketchingandvisualizationabilities(traditionalanddigital) plusproficiencyinkeydesign/visualization tools(e.g.,Adobe Creative Suite ,Alias,Blender,VREDorsimilar).

• Deepunderstandingofproportion,surfacing,aeroprinciples,andperformancedesignlanguage,withstrongcommunication,collaboration,mentoringskills,andabilitytoworkon-sitein
  
  Warren,MI.

• Experience working specifically on performance or motorsports programs (road cars, track cars, racing programs, or aftermarket performance products).

• Prior experience in a lead, principal, or equivalent senior designer capacity within an OEM or advanced design studio.

• Familiarity with GM brands and performance heritage and enthusiasm for the performance and enthusiast space.

• Experience with VR‑based design reviews, real‑time visualization, and/or innovative digital design workflows.

• Strong storytelling skills, including the ability to connect design solutions to brand strategy, customer insights, and business objectives.

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…