Application Engineer - Advanced Manufacturing

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.

Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Application Engineer to lead advanced manufacturing applications for fastening and inspection across GM’s global footprint. In this role, you will own technical execution from concept through plant launch (MRL 4–7), ensuring solutions are technically sound, operationally ready, and fully integrated into plant processes.

You will work in a highly cross-functional environment, partnering with Product Engineering, R&D, ARC, Tech Experts, manufacturing plants, and suppliers to remove execution barriers, reduce risk, and deliver scalable, repeatable manufacturing solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead advanced fastening and inspection applications aligned with program, plant, and business objectives.

• Own and maintain Scope of Development Work (SODW) for fastening and inspection across program phases.

• Support and participate in MRL 4–7 gate reviews, driving technical readiness and compliance with GM standards.

• Serve as PET technical lead or core contributor, coordinating across engineering, plants, and suppliers.

• Develop and validate plant process use cases (layouts, simulations) tied back to SODW.

• Integrate solutions, timing, and resource needs into the Manufacturing Planning Study (MPS).

• Benchmark off‑the‑shelf solutions and engage strategic suppliers for capability, cost, and scalability.

• Collaborate with fastening and inspection SMEs to define requirements, review concepts, and validate solutions.

• Support launch execution from development through plant implementation, including builds, trials, and ramp‑up.

• Develop and maintain technical cost and timing inputs to support resource planning.

• Support and influence Design for Automation (DFA) early in the product development cycle.

• Capture and deploy lessons learned from development, launches, and plant operations.

• Clearly communicate technical status, risks, readiness, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing experience, with strong focus on manufacturing engineering in assembly or powertrain.

• Hands-on experience with fastening or inspection systems (e.g., torque tools, vision systems).

• Strong technical communication skills for diverse technical and non-technical audiences.

• Proven ability to work independently, own complex technical problems, and deliver results through disciplined execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep manufacturing engineering process knowledge.

• Automotive industry experience.

• Experience supporting launches, working with suppliers, and executing technical strategy.

• Ability to operate effectively in cross-functional, global, and high-pressure environments.

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant technical discipline.

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 <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 G