Body Structures System Architect

The Role

This role provides global leadership for the technical strategy, requirements, and overall architecture of General Motors’ body structure systems during the Advanced Vehicle Development phase of the Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP). Responsibilities include setting and executing design and engineering direction for advanced body‑in‑white systems, including potential integration of the RESS structure. The role maintains accountability for critical design and construction decisions and provides enterprise‑level technical leadership to ensure consistent global execution. Support to the Body Structures and Closures SMT is provided as needed following Advanced BIW development.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

• Provide global technical leadership for body structures design across all AVD programs, shaping next‑generation vehicle architectures.
• Define and drive structural strategies that deliver performance, enable brand‑aligned styling, and address systemic and legacy challenges.
• Champion advanced technologies and innovation across body and RESS structures, influencing best practices, manufacturing requirements, and solution deployment.
• Lead advanced technology development in partnership with ATW, GM Research, suppliers, and industry collaborators.
• Balance performance, cost, mass, investment, and manufacturing complexity in strategic and day‑to‑day decisions.
• Serve as a global technical authority, leveraging competitive benchmarking to guide design reviews, enterprise standards, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Establish and evolve global best practices, technical specifications, and CAE methodologies to ensure consistent, high‑quality execution worldwide.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor degree in Engineering, Math, Physics, or other relevant degree
• 8 years of relevant engineering experience in advanced vehicle development or other relevant field experience
• Proven leadership and recognized subject‑matter expert in vehicle body structures and advanced vehicle engineering.
• Independently solves complex, non‑routine engineering problems using strong analytical skills and sound business judgment.
• Leads technically complex projects or workstreams with significant visibility and measurable impact.
• Expert‑level knowledge of body structure engineering at the complete vehicle level, including compliance with Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and internal requirements.
• Deep experience with production and manufacturing processes, including metal forming, joining, body shop processing, and tooling development.
• Strong cross‑functional collaborator with CAE, Safety, Formability, Manufacturing, Design, Chassis, Packaging, and Architecture teams to deliver practical engineering solutions.
• Proven ability to manage interfaces between body structures and adjacent systems (battery systems/enclosures, chassis, fuel, restraints, electrical, interior and exterior trim).
• Thorough understanding of the Advanced Vehicle Development Process, surface/theme development, and vehicle architecture integration.
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence across technical, program, and functional teams.
• Acts as a technical mentor and resource, supporting capability development and best practices.
• Proficient with engineering and standard office software tools.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master’s degree preferred
• DFSS Black Belt Certification

Immigration sponsorship: GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Hybrid work: This role is categorized as hybrid. The selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week (or other frequency dictated by their manager).

Travel: The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role.

Relocation: This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

Vehicle evaluation program: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.

Motor vehicle operation: This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis and successfully complete a Motor Vehicle Report review.