Design and Release Engineer - Seat Plastics

job description

this role is categorized as hybrid, meaning the selected candidate will be expected to work on‑site at the warren tech center at least three days per week (or other frequency determined by their manager).

this role is not eligible for relocation assistance

the design & release engineer (dre) – seat plastics is responsible for the design, development, validation, and production release of injection‑molded plastic seat components for front and rear seat systems. This role owns components from concept through launch, working closely with cross‑functional teams and global tier‑1 seating suppliers to deliver high‑quality, production‑ready designs.

• own end‑to‑end design and release of seat plastic components (e.g., trims, shields, closeouts, covers, bezels)
• translate studio surfaces and vehicle packaging into manufacturable b‑side designs (attachments, ribs, bosses, draft)
• create, review, and release 3d cad, 2d drawings, and boms in gm plm systems (nx / team center)
• lead dfmea, dvp&r, validation, and ppap activities with suppliers
• serve as primary technical interface with tier‑1 seating suppliers for feasibility, tooling, validation, and launch
• support virtual and physical builds (prototypes, validation, plant, launch)
• drive issue resolution for fit/finish, appearance, squeak & rattle, and dimensional concerns
• manage engineering changes with cost, mass, and timing impact assessment
• identify and execute va/ve opportunities without compromising performance or craftsmanship
• ensure integration with seat structures, foam, airbags, wiring, and mechanisms
• represent seat plastics in pdt meetings and design reviews

• bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is required
• 4–8+ years of experience in automotive seating and/or interior plastic components

• seat‑system experience across plastics, foam, structure, or mechanisms
• oem or tier‑1 launch experience
• familiarity with apqp, ppap, dfmea/pfmea, and automotive quality systems
• experience with craftsmanship, perceived quality, and squeak & rattle
• exposure to ev platforms
• ability to manage multiple programs in a fast‑paced environment

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., h‑1b, opt, stem opt, cpt, tn, j‑1, etc.).

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