Chief Thermal Architect

About the role

The Chief Thermal Architect is a recognized and respected technical leader responsible for architecting, developing, and strategically integrating advanced underhood, underbody, and cabin thermal systems. This role is pivotal for ensuring GM remains at the forefront of thermal systems performance and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Perform very early new program architecting, including:
  • Develop optimum thermal architecture for the program
  • Determine proper BOM solutions and promote any new technology insertion as appropriate
  • Establish vehicle criteria to enable thermal system performance
  • Preliminary thermal system sizing
  • Identify significant architectural sizing concerns
• Provide initial cost estimates and PCS picks for early AVD Studies
• Work with architects from other areas (Body, Chassis etc.) to create a winning vehicle solution
• Represent AVD in early studies around specific architecture ideation and/or cross-program workgroups
• Support Systems Engineering in establishing a system-level approach and mechanizations for thermal systems
• Support benchmarking activities of other OEMs and be well-versed in the thermal strategies of major competitors
• Drive alignment of overall thermal subsystem strategies to balance performance, efficiency, cost, and integration requirements
• Identify AVD-related BP gaps and work with ETL/TSs to address them
• Mentor less experienced Thermal AVD DREs to help them resolve significant issues and teach them the technology
• Be visible and available "on the floor". Continuously improve AVD subsystem specific technical tools and work with VDDV to improve analysis methods that enable excellent and efficient program work, on time, with quality

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in thermal systems
• Expertise in thermal systems integration and thermal management technologies
• Strong understanding of AVD processes and workflow
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams and manage complex projects
• Excellent communication skills and managerial courage for conveying technical concepts and negotiating vehicle trade-offs with leadership and peers
• Strong mentoring/teaching skills
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Expertise in thermal systems integration and thermal management technologies
• Strong understanding of AVD processes and workflow
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams and manage complex projects
• Excellent communication skills and managerial courage for conveying technical concepts and negotiating vehicle trade-offs with leadership and peers
• Strong mentoring/teaching skills
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Prior roles as Thermal AVSE/VSE, Engineering Technical Leader (ETL), Technical Specialist, or Architect
• Established relationships with interfacing groups related to this role (Vehicle Architecture, Systems Engineering, VDDV, Aero, Design Studio, ETLs/TSs, etc)
• Recognized technical contributions through patents or publications
• DFSS Master Black Belt Certification
• Master’s degree in Engineering

Benefits

General Motors offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more details, please refer to the Benefits Overview section.