Vehicle Systems Engineer - Chassis, Thermal and Propulsion Integration (CTPI)

Job Description

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.  

Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

The Role

The CTPI Vehicle Systems Engineer (VSE) serves as the primary integrator for Chassis, Thermal, and Propulsion Integration systems. This role owns system‑level execution, technical decision readiness, and cross‑functional alignment to ensure subsystem decisions support vehicle‑level performance, quality, cost, mass, and timing targets.

The Vehicle Systems Engineer (VSE) is the primary integrator between the Program Team and the SMT—driving clarity, alignment, and execution across vehicle development. VSEs coordinate technical studies, manage Plan of Record (PoR) decisions, and ensure the right information flows to the right people at the right time. They own the path to informed decision‑making—connecting program needs with subsystem expertise to keep the vehicle on time, on target, and on metric.

Curiosity & Learning Agility. VSEs lead with curiosity—investing time with DREs, LDEs, and Integrators to deeply understand the problem, the trade space, and the options. They learn quickly across chassis and thermal domains, translating complex CT realities into clear choices and risks for leadership.

Subsystem Integration & Metrics Discipline. VSEs manage studies and PIM tracking; align mass/BEC/PN reduction efforts; and tie work directly to the Big 4 metrics (SOR, TKO, VDC, PRTS). They proactively identify integration issues and collaborate with Program partners (VCE, PEM, APEM, LDE, PVE), CIT (VAMs/CAMs/SAMs), and SMT leaders (TEDs, Directors, EGMs, ETLs, TSs, DREs). They coach, unify, and bring teams together through technical challenges and cross‑functional decisions—facilitating two‑way communication on issues, risks, and timing.

Decision Framing & Leadership. VSEs know when a decision is needed, frame options and impacts, and drive closure with the right stakeholders. They constructively challenge assumptions at all levels, frame trade‑offs, propose actionable alternatives, and push back on unreasonable targets with data. Throughout, they keep both SMT and Program leadership properly informed with crisp, timely updates that prevent surprises and enable accountable action.

First Responders to Program Issues. VSEs coordinate information flow, stabilize execution, and align the SMT and Program around timing and deliverables. They drive critical integration processes—ICDe/ICDm, DFMEA/PFMEA, Math Syncs, and open‑issue resolution—ensuring robust technical assessments and a fully aligned cross‑functional team that delivers high‑quality vehicles.

Mindset & Behaviors. VSEs model a growth mindset—if it’s not working: understand why, define how to solve it, and know when to ask for help. They demonstrate resilience and ownership: stay composed in conflict, own outcomes, follow through, and model GM behaviors. Through storytelling and communication, they synthesize complex content into clear narratives and decision options, communicating risks and changes crisply to align cross‑functions.

Success looks like: crisp communication to leadership; strong cross‑functional influence; proactive issue framing; measurable imperative (Piece cost, mass/BEC/PN) improvements; accurate PCCR/Studies/PCS response and selection; disciplined execution of ICDe/ICDm and FMEAs; reliable delivery to program timing and the Big 4 metrics—while leading with curiosity, clarity, and conviction.

What is our VSE Lighthouse?

• Program Execution - Problem Solving - Anticipation - Alignment to Timing - Drive for Decisions - Deliverables - Imperatives
• Communication - Simplify and Clarity - Proper Informing - Constructive Challenging - Program Strategy - Changes - Imperatives - Problems and Solutions - Recommendations - Storytelling - Frames Problem Clearly
• Technical Depth - Identify something is "Off" - Navigate the Trade-Offs - Lead Collaboration Efforts - Can speak to or pull in experts in CIT, Studio, Integration Reviews
• Curiosity - Learning New Things - Finding New Ways - Seek to Understand
• People Development - Coach - Invest - Uplift - Build Relationships - Lead with Empathy

What You'll Do (Key Responsibilities)

• Serve as the central integrator for Chassis, Thermal, and Propulsion Integration systems, ensuring alignment across vehicle interfaces, subsystem boundaries, and program imperatives.
• Lead CTPI mission, risks, and imperatives through the GVDP lifecycle, ensuring all work supports SOR, TKO, VDC and PRTS metrics.
• Lead structured problem solving, trade‑off analysis, and cross‑system decision framing.
• Define “What-must‑be‑true” conditions, develop contingency paths, and make timely recommendations to protect program health.
• Deliver clear, concise, executive‑ready communication—written, verbal, and visual.
• Drive alignment through consistent communication to DREs, EGMs, integration teams, and program leadership.
• Align stakeholders with overlapping or conflicting objectives; negotiate feasible solutions balancing cost, mass, thermal performance, chassis targets, manufacturability, and timing.
• Remove roadblocks proactively and secure cross‑functional agreement on key technical decisions.
• Prioritize and push back appropriately on scope; delegate efficiently to maximize clarity and speed.
• Own CTPI PIM tracking and reduction efforts—Mass, BEC, PN—and tie all actions directly to key program metrics.

Key Behaviors

• Lead with curiosity; learn fast and seek to understand deeply.
• Frame decisions and drive closure with clear trade‑offs and recommendations.
• Simplify & clarify; properly inform leaders with crisp, timely narratives.
• Constructively challenge assumptions and targets with data and system context.
• Maintain integration & timing discipline; prevent surprises.
• Anticipate risks (30/60/90+) and escalate early with a plan.
• Steward PoR and imperatives; align work to Big 4 metrics.
• Coach and uplift teams; build strong cross‑functional relationships.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Aerospace, Electrical, or related engineering discipline (Master’s preferred).
• Preferred 5  years of experience in Chassis, Thermal, Propulsion Integration, or related systems engineering roles.
• Demonstrated understanding of subsystem interactions—e.g., suspension/chassis kinematics, thermal loops, heat exchangers, powertrain mounting, airflow systems, or control interfaces.
• Strong track record in technical communication, influencing, and cross-functional leadership.
• Proven experience in structured problem solving, risk management, and decision framing.
• Familiarity with GM program processes, PIM, PCCR, eMerge, GVDP milestones, and integration checkpoints.
• Demonstrated ability to work across high ambiguity with clarity, ownership, and urgency.
• Consistent demonstration of GM Behaviors including integrity, collaboration, curiosity, resilience, communication, and accountability.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Prior APEM, IRT, DRE or LDE experience in chassis, thermal, or powertrain systems.
• Experience with CIT or cross‑vehicle integration roles.
• Launch or manufacturing experience supporting major subsystem installs (e.g., cooling modules, suspension assemblies, HVAC, mounting systems).
• Experience coaching engineers through problem solving or technical assessments.
• “Enterprise mindset” with ability to balance technical, financial, customer, timing, and manufacturing constraints.

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 hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}. The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role. This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us 

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

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