Technical Specialist - Seating - Climate Systems

Job DescriptionThis role is categorized as hybrid, meaning the selected candidate will be expected to work on‑site at the Warren Tech Center at least three days per week (or other frequency determined by their manager).  This role is not eligible for relocation assistanceAbout The Role:As a Technical Specialist - Seating Climate Systems, you will serve as a subject matter expert leading the design, development, and integration of seat climate and comfort-related systems across GM vehicle programs. You will play a critical role in advancing product performance, quality, safety, and customer satisfaction while helping teams deliver on timing, cost, and technical targets.This role requires a highly independent engineer who can make sound technical judgments, guide complex development activities, and influence both internal teams and suppliers. You will lead cross-functional workstreams, support global seating strategy, and drive continuous improvement across product development and system integration.What You’ll Do:Lead product development and system integration:Lead the development and integration of seat climate systems, including heating, ventilation, cooling, lumbar, and cushion suspension systemsSupport component and system development using GM engineering tools, processes, and program milestonesDrive technical execution across vehicle programs with a strong focus on quality, timing, and performanceCoach and guide suppliers to ensure flawless delivery of program requirementsDrive safety, quality, and compliance:Support safety and compliance activities related to seating systemsParticipate in field action analysis and product safety investigationsAuthor or co-author Preventive Action Letters following investigationsPerform read-across assessments for identified concerns across current and past vehicle platformsSupport strategy and complexity management:Support the development and execution of BOM row strategy for seating systemsContribute to design development and integration of seating electrical control units and wire harness assemblies into the vehicle electrical systemHelp define complexity, content, and variant strategies for global seating applicationsUse benchmarking, consumer insights, and internal data to help shape data-driven product strategiesBuild and apply technical knowledge:Support development of technical requirements, including SSTS, CTS, and GMW documentationLead development and maintenance of core DFMEAs for seating systemsCreate and maintain best practices, design checklists, interface documents, key characteristics, and other core engineering knowledge assetsSupport design reviews, peer reviews, and technical problem-solving across engineering teamsEnable program execution and future technology:Support early program architecture alignment and BOM strategy execution from concept through validationGuide DRE and VSE teams in applying core technical knowledge into program deliverables and engineering statements of workSupport problem-solving, value stream planning, and execution improvements across seat development activitiesLead or support advancement of new technologies within the seating BOM rowProvide technical leadership on tradeoffs involving comfort, crashworthiness, cost, mass, and overall seat performanceRequired Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience5+ years of post-graduation engineering experienceExperience with seat-to-vehicle packaging and engineeringExperience with seat internal packaging and engineeringExperience developing lumbar and cushion suspension systems with demonstrated successExperience with electronic modules and wire harness routingUnderstanding of electrical system requirements and system tradeoffsPreferred Qualifications:Master’s degree in Engineering8+ years of post-graduation engineering experienceAutomotive seating experience, including seat component design and developmentExperience supporting seat assembly plant and vehicle assembly plant launchesUnderstanding of product cost drivers in manufacturing and designExperience assessing complexity impacts on manufacturing and costAbility to interpret consumer research, competitive benchmarking, and financial dataKnowledge of global seating regulations and industry requirementsExperience working with automotive OEMs and seat suppliersStrong data analysis and presentation skills, including communicating complex topics to technical and executive audiencesExperience with DFMEA, PFMEA, DFSS, Red X, DOORs, Rational Team Concert, environmental durability, EMC testing, ASIL, cybersecurity, software validation, NeoVI/Vehicle Spy, and LIN communicationsWhy This Role Stands Out:Opportunity to shape seat comfort technologies that directly impact the customer experienceHigh-visibility role with influence across strategy, design, integration, and supplier executionChance to work on advanced seating systems in a global, cross-functional environmentStrong platform for an experienced engineer who wants both technical depth and leadership impactAt 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..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.,