Exterior Execution Vehicle Systems Engineer

Job Description

he Exterior Execution Vehicle Systems Engineer (VSE) serves as the chief integrator for Exterior Systems including bumpers grilles exterior lighting upper structures and closures. This role owns exterior design intent and technical execution ensuring subsystem decisions align with vehicle-level performance quality timing and cost targets.

As the voice of the Exterior SMT the VSE partners closely with Purchasing Manufacturing Studio Compartment Integration Program Teams and Performance & Validation to deliver a robust on-time and cost-competitive product. Success in this role requires strong technical judgment program stewardship and the ability to influence across a complex matrixed organization.

Key Responsibilities

• System Integration & Program Leadership
  Own Exterior SMT coordination across systems subsystems and vehicle interfaces; define technical imperatives aligned to program targets and milestones.

• Technical Decision-Making & Problem Solving
  Lead structured problem solving root-cause analysis and trade-off decisions; define must-be-true conditions set contingencies and make timely decisions to protect program metrics.

• Vehicle-Level Technical Acumen
  Identify and resolve issues at both component and vehicle levels; balance customer experience manufacturability cost and enterprise constraints through clear technical communication.

• Executive & Cross-Functional Communication
  Deliver concise executive-ready updates (written verbal and visual); prioritize and tailor information for leaders DREs EGMs and functional partners; clearly scope work for efficient execution.

• Influence Negotiation & Alignment
  Align stakeholders with competing objectives; remove enterprise-level roadblocks; secure agreements with BOM leaders GFLs suppliers and Program Teams.

• Planning Prioritization & Risk Management
  Develop and manage 30/60/90-day and long-range plans; appropriately push back on scope; delegate effectively; identify and mitigate risks early.

• Cost Budget & Imperative Management
  Lead Exterior SMT delivery to cost quality and timing targets along the VDP/GVDP glidepath; synthesize detailed inputs into credible forecasts and aggregate status.

• Engineering Execution & Supplier Readiness
  Drive design deliverables benchmarking cost management HVI interface requirements and financial/quality imperatives; co-lead supplier selection tooling kick-off and PPAP readiness.

• Change Validation & Launch Leadership
  Anticipate risk lead engineering changes and coordinate validation activities; support DREs and IRTs through development and vehicle launch.

• Engineering with Simplicity (EwS) & Innovation
  Champion EwS through simplification and standardization; develop and communicate a pipeline of Exterior SMT improvement ideas.

• Technology & Competitive Awareness
  Monitor emerging exterior technologies and competitive products; translate insights into design and execution strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Automotive or related Engineering discipline (Masters preferred)

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Design Release Engineer within Exterior Systems (e.g. bumpers/fascias lighting glazing mirrors seals ornamentation aero exterior finish)

• Lead DRE experience in Exterior Systems strongly preferred

• Deep technical knowledge of Exterior components and vehicle-level integration

• Proven executive-level communication and storytelling skills

• Demonstrated ability to influence negotiate and align cross-functional stakeholders

• Strong track record of structured problem solving risk management and decisive execution

• Experience managing program scope timelines budgets and VDP/GVDP milestones

• Results-driven mindset with demonstrated impact on EwS or other enterprise imperatives

• Familiarity with GM Vehicle Program processes tools and deliverables

• Consistent demonstration of GM Behaviors including integrity collaboration resilience accountability and continuous learning

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