Lab Group Manager: Propulsion, Battery, & Thermal Systems Research

Description

Work Arrangement

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren, MI three times per week or other frequency dictated by the business.

Company Vehicle: 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.

The Role

Energy and Propulsion Systems Research drives innovation in propulsion and vehicle efficiency technologies to deliver transformative value to GM and its customers.

Core research areas include:

Electric Drives & Power Electronics

Propulsion, Battery & Thermal Systems

Multi-disciplinary Optimization (Propulsion, Aero, Thermal, Electrical)

Controls & AI/ML-based Optimization

Vehicle Health Management (Diagnostics & Prognostics)

Virtual Design & High-Fidelity Measurement

As leader of the Propulsion, Battery & Thermal Systems Research Group, you will oversee research planning and execution across these domains, focusing on:

System Architectures Systems Analysis & Optimization Energy Systems

You will guide the team in publishing peer-reviewed research and building strategic partnerships across academia, startups, suppliers, and research institutions to accelerate GM’s innovation efforts.

Relocation

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

Team Leadership & Development

Set objectives, manage performance, and support career growth through coaching and mentoring

Foster a positive, inclusive culture aligned with GM’s diversity and engagement goals

Recruit top talent and continuously expand team capabilities

Celebrate achievements and promote internal and external recognition

Strategic & Technical Leadership

Define and execute R&D strategies in Propulsion, Battery & Thermal Systems

Develop technology roadmaps in collaboration with enterprise stakeholders

Lead cross-functional discussions and communicate progress across the organization

Champion safety and critical thinking in all activities

Project & Portfolio Management

Oversee high-impact, fast-paced research projects with a focus on quality and innovation

Manage internal and external resources, including partnerships with academia, government labs, and industry

Secure and manage external engineering services and leveraged funding

Innovation & Communication

Drive research output through publications, patents, and internal documentation

Supervise prototype development and testing in labs and vehicles

Scout emerging technologies and evaluate their potential impact

Clearly communicate results in written and oral formats

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Masters degree or multiple advanced degrees in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or a related field

8+ years relevant work experience

Track record of research or technology implementation

Experience as technical leader & individual contributor

Strong, charismatic, leader with excellent people skills

Research and development project planning/management/budget responsibility

Ability to execute multiple projects spanning different technical areas in parallel

Demonstrated ability to break through barriers to execute plans

Multidisciplinary engineering skill set

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred qualifications)

PhD or multiple advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering

5+ years of people leadership/team leadership experience

Experience in Propulsion, Battery, & Thermal Systems (ICEs, EVs)

Experience as a people leader

Strong business acumen

Demonstrated performance in a position requiring both high creativity and engineering technical excellence

Strong evidence of career performance excellence in positions of ever-increasing levels of responsibility, challenge, and leadership

Sponsorship

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., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

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.

Total Rewards | Benefits Overview

From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

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