Lead Development & Validation Engineer

This role is the senior technical lead for high-voltage and low-voltage propulsion electrical systems within the RESS Development & Validation organization. The Lead Development & Validation Engineer sets direction for electrical Design Validation (DV) and Production Validation (PV) strategy, owns critical test and analysis plans, and ensures outcomes are tightly linked to Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and program risk burn-down.

Responsibilities

• Electrical System Strategy, Planning & Technical Direction
  • Define the development and validation strategy for RESS electrical systems across multiple programs.
  • Develop testing strategies to support virtualization activities.
  • Translate program requirements, safety standards, and DFMEA outputs into integrated electrical test and analysis plans, ensuring coverage across architectures and phases.
  • Make risk-based trade-offs on scope, timing, and methods, escalating issues and recommendations to leadership with clear options and impacts.
  • Provide technical direction to other engineers and lab personnel executing electrical tests and analyses; review and sign off on critical test plans and reports.
• DFMEA Ownership & Risk-Based Prioritization for Electrical Systems
  • Serve as the senior electrical DFMEA owner for key domains: ensure failure modes, effects, causes, and controls are complete, current, and technically sound.
  • Define and maintain the electrical detection strategy (test and analysis) for high-risk DFMEA items; ensure each has a credible and executable prevention/detection path.
  • Lead regular DFMEA reviews with Global Virtual Engineering (GVE), safety, and program teams to reprioritize tests/analyses as designs evolve, issues emerge, and new data arrives (e.g., field, warranty, read-across).
• Technical Execution Oversight & Problem Solving
  • Oversee planning and execution of complex electrical tests (e.g., HV/LV functional safety, isolation/fault management, abuse/fault injections, support TRP evaluations).
  • Step in directly on the most complex or high-risk investigations, providing hands-on guidance in test design, instrumentation, data review, and root-cause analysis.
  • Integrate results from lab testing, simulation, and vehicle-level evaluations into cohesive technical narratives and recommendations for design and program leadership.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration
  • Represent electrical systems in cross-functional forums, design reviews, and workgroups, clearly articulating risks, mitigations, and readiness.
  • Partner closely with GVE virtual teams so electrical DV/PV and modeling are aligned (assumptions, correlation targets, and capability gaps).
  • Collaborate with safety, systems, software/controls, manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure electrical system robustness from concept through launch.
• People Leadership, Mentoring & Method Development
  • Mentor and coach engineers and lab staff on electrical system design, test methods, DFMEA usage, and sound engineering judgement.
  • Lead continuous improvement of electrical test methods, fixtures, instrumentation, automation, and standard work; champion adoption across teams.
  • Help shape capability roadmaps (tools, labs, training) for electrical systems within the RESS Development & Validation organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in propulsion, battery/RESS, or vehicle electrical systems development and validation, with demonstrated technical leadership.
• Strong track record planning and leading complex electrical test programs and investigations in safety-critical environments.
• Deep working knowledge of DFMEA or equivalent risk tools, with proven experience using them to drive test/analysis priorities and design decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data into clear technical recommendations for senior stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-voltage automotive systems, isolation and fault-current management, functional safety standards, and diagnostics.
• Prior ownership of DFMEAs and/or feature-level responsibility for critical electrical functions.
• Familiarity with GVDP/GPDP and propulsion program governance (scorecards, PRTS, gate deliverables).
• Experience leading cross-functional technical teams and influencing without formal people-management authority.

Why Work for This Team

• Opportunity to serve as the senior technical lead for high-impact propulsion electrical systems within RESS Development & Validation, shaping DV/PV strategy and capability roadmaps.
• Direct influence on the safety, robustness, and launch readiness of GM’s electric propulsion programs.
• High visibility and cross-functional collaboration with GVE, safety, systems, software/controls, manufacturing, and supplier teams.
• Meaningful scope to mentor engineers and drive continuous improvement in electrical methods, tools, and labs.

Schedule

This role is categorized as onsite, requiring the selected candidate to report to a specific location on a full-time basis. Travel is expected to be less than 25%.

Benefits

From day one, GM supports your well-being at work and at home. Learn more about the comprehensive benefits, including health, wellness, and personal development resources, by visiting Total Rewards resources.

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Candidates needing sponsorship now or in the future should not apply.