Design Group Manager

The Role

The GM Defense Design Group Manager (DGM) in the GM Defense team will be responsible for leading the up‑front, progressive design activities in an exciting, fast‑paced environment on military/government programs as well as special projects. This key person will lead, manage, mentor and oversee day‑to‑day operations for a group of Designers and Design Lead Technical's (DLTs) on advanced GMD programs and projects.

Activities are expected to include workload prioritization, workload balancing, and driving the team for innovative design solutions. Beyond leading a direct team, the selected candidate will have opportunity to work with Chief Engineers, Program Engineering Managers, Architecture System Engineers, Compartment Integration Teams, Advanced Build Operations, Manufacturing, Sustainment, Suppliers and others to design, engineer and build the entire vehicle design solution that meets the requirements of the Business Development proposal.

This leader will be expected to build and foster relationships with the GM Commercial (LLC) Design organizations. This critical relationship will drive consistency of applicable commercial processes for effectiveness and efficiency. In addition, this leader may facilitate leveraged resources for peak work and specialty skilled design activities. The Design Group Manager is expected to adhere to all ITAR requirements (International Traffic in Arms Regulations).

• Lead a highly skilled, wide‑scoped, large Design team
• Lead, manage, mentor and oversee day‑to‑day operations for Designers and Design Lead Technical (DLT)
• Lead team to meet program key design deliverables
• Facilitate workload prioritization and balancing
• Lead team to creative innovative solutions. Ability to “think outside the box” and lead/create new solutions for an ultra‑low volume manufacturing environment
• Drive team to create new solutions/products based on feedback from customers (i.e.
  
  - vehicles fielded with military units)
• Lead team in problem solving as issues/new opportunities emerge.
• Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with engineers, managers, peers, military, and government officials.

• BS in Mechanical/Electrical/Design Engineering or equivalent
• 10 years of post‑graduation design, engineering, manufacturing, and leadership experience
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and motivate others
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Extensive level of analytical ability where problems are unusual, difficult, or complex
• Demonstrated ability of “dealing with ambiguity” to enable timely decision making
• Strong understanding of design and engineering operations, processes, and best practices
• Complete Vehicle design experience
• Knowledge of commonly used materials and related properties
• Understanding of packaging constraints and designing in context
• Basic knowledge of creating 2D drawings used in fabrication of components
• Knowledge of component fabrication methods
• Knowledge of Press Brake Bending & fixtureless bending
• Experience working with internal & external fabrication shops.
• Design experience with armor systems designs
• Ability to apply advanced tool sets to increase robustness and efficiencies in designs
• Understand modern plastic tooling, and terminology
• Understanding of analysis tools
• This position requires either a U.S. Person (as defined in applicable export regulations) or a non‑U.S. Person who is eligible to obtain required export authorization(s).

• Defense Vehicle Design experience

#GMD

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., H1‑B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J‑1, etc).

This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full‑time basis. The selected candidate will be required to travel