Optimization Engineering Group Manager - General Assembly Manufacturing Engineering

General Motors

Warren, MI

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JOB DETAILS

SKILLS

Automation, Automotive Engineering, Automotive Industry, Automotive Manufacturing, Budgeting, Business Case, Career Development, Commissioning, Continuous Improvement, Cost Control, Cross-Functional, Document Management, Electricity, Ergonomics, Establish Priorities, Government, Industrial Robotics, Invention Disclosures, Investment Management, Leadership, Machine Tool, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Assembly, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Management, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Microsoft Internet Explorer Browser, Patents, Performance Management, Plant Management, Process Flow, Process Improvement, Product Development, Product Engineering, Production Volume, Productivity Management, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Project/Program Management, Proofreading, Quality Management, Regulatory Requirements, Replication and Remote Mirroring, Robotics, Safety/Work Safety, Software Design, Succession Planning, Talent Management, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Willing to Travel

LOCATION

Warren, MI

POSTED

3 days ago

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 breakthroughhardware 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 General Assembly Automation & Optimization Group Manager leads a team of manufacturing engineers delivering turnkey automation and process optimization projects across General Assembly (GA) in North America. The role owns the full lifecycle from opportunity identification through concept, sourcing, design, build, validation, and launch to ensure solutions meet safety, quality, throughput, and cost targets while supporting flawless program launches.

You will work closely with GA Shop Directors, MO Optimization, IE, ME, Material, Product Engineering, plant leadership, and suppliers to shape the GA automation roadmap and execute a portfolio of high-impact projects. This position backfills the current GA Optimization Manager role and reports to the Sr. Manager - Strategic Commodities & Manufacturing Engineering Install.

What You'll Do

Strategy, Roadmap & Portfolio Management

Lead the GA Optimization team in delivering automation and process optimization (material flow and process) projects across multiple GA plants.
Build, maintain, and continuously refine the GA automation/optimization roadmap, aligned to LTP, throughput targets, program timing, and plant priorities.
Own the project funnel and governance from idea through execution, including business case development, labor-efficiency / people-reduction confirmation, and project prioritization.
Ensure robust Project Management Commitment/Approval Forms (including people-reduction assumptions and deauthorization dates) are accurate and aligned with plant staffing plans.

Technical & Program Leadership

Oversee development of concepts, SORs, and automation kickoff packages, ensuring adherence to GM standards (safety, controls, documentation, GDHS, etc.).
Provide technical and program leadership through design reviews, simulations, FMEAs, and run-at-rate/dynamic validation at both suppliers and plants.
Coordinate with Execution Managers and plant ME to plan and manage install, commissioning, and launch with minimal production disruption.
Champion standard work, lessons learned, and reuse of proven solutions, tooling, and suppliers across sites to accelerate replication and reduce cost.

People Leadership & Culture

Build, lead, and develop a high-performing engineering team, setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and driving career development and succession planning.
Foster a strong safety and quality culture, ensuring all solutions meet or exceed GM and regulatory requirements.
Create an environment of innovation, continuous improvement, and cross-plant collaboration within the optimization team.

Stakeholder & Communication

Act as a key partner to GA Shop Directors, plant leadership, and central ME on automation and optimization strategy.
Communicate status, risks, trade-offs, and decisions clearly to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Align early and often with plants and suppliers to ensure solutions are launch-ready, serviceable, and sustainable in high-volume production.

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related field).
8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, GA engineering, or closely related automotive/manufacturing roles.
3+ years of people leadership experience (e.g., supervisor, group manager), including performance management and talent development.
Proven experience leading automation projects (robotics, material handling, fastening, vision, or similar) from concept through launch.
Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of projects with clear priorities, timing, and budget control.
Excellent cross-functional communication and influence skills, including collaboration with plants, central ME, suppliers, and leadership.
Ability and willingness to travel frequently (up to 75%) to plants and suppliers as project needs require.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

Master's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Business.
Strong understanding of GA processes, tooling, ergonomics, throughput, and launch readiness.
Experience as a GA Execution Manager, GA Optimization lead, or equivalent multi-plant automation leadership role.
Deep knowledge of industrial robotics, PLCs/controls, vision systems, and error-proofing in high-volume assembly environments.
Track record of delivering labor-efficiency / people-reduction and productivity improvements while improving safety and quality.
Evidence of innovation (patents, invention disclosures, or novel automation solutions) in complex GA environments.

#LI-MH1

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 onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis.The selected candidate will be required to travel at least 50% or more on a frequent basis.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.

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

General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, emailus or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

About the Company

General Motors

LEADING THE CHARGE INTO TOMORROW
AtGeneral Motors, we are passionate about earning customers for life. This vision unites us as a team each and every day and is the hallmark of our customer-driven culture. In fact, there are a lot of exciting things to share about our company.

Our story starts on November 18, 2010, when we completed the world’s largest initial public offering, emerging with a solid financial foundation that enables us to produce great vehicles for our customers and build a bright future for employees, partners and shareholders.Leading the way is our seasoned leadership team who set high standards for our company so that we can give you the best cars and trucks.

COMPANY SIZE

10,000 employees or more

INDUSTRY

Automotive Sales and Repair Services

FOUNDED

1908

Optimization Engineering Group Manager - General Assembly Manufacturing Engineering

General Motors

Warren, MI

About the Company

General Motors

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