Senior Sub-System Lead Specialist - Exterior Lighting Controls

Job Description

This posting is for an existing vacancy within the organization and is open to new applications.

AI Disclosure

As part of the application process, Artificial Intelligence will be used in the hiring process for this role

Work Arrangement

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to the office three days per week, at minimum.

Vehicle Mechatronics Embedded Controls (VMEC) is responsible for designing, developing, and deploying the embedded controls and software for all vehicle systems and components that manage vehicle motion, vehicle access, vision & visibility and occupant position, protection, and comfort.

The successful candidate will join an Agile Scrum team responsible for end-to-end development of exterior lighting software & controls for all GM vehicles produced globally. Our team is collaborative and will afford you the opportunity to work as part of a fun group whose customer-facing product spans the entire GM portfolio!

This position is classified as a Hybrid position, meaning the successful candidate will work in-office a minimum of three (3) days per week.

The Role

The Sub-System Lead Specialist Engineer (SSLE) is a highly skilled individual contributor who owns work across the full vehicle development lifecycle—from requirements definition and design through implementation, testing, validation, and issue resolution. You will apply strong systems thinking and collaborate closely with system engineers, software developers, test engineers, and cross-functional partners to deliver innovative features for General Motors’ next-generation vehicles. Experience with Agile development, software design and release, requirements management, embedded controls, and calibration is preferred. We’re looking for someone with the drive, curiosity, and tenacity to grow both technically and professionally while working on some of GM’s most exciting technologies.

What You’ll Do / Responsibilities

• Create and maintain Sub-System Technical Specifications (SSTS) and other requirements (Component Technical Requirements Specifications-CTRS, serial data, diagnostics, U-services, etc.) for exterior lighting software solutions using requirements management software (e.g. DOORS Next Gen, DOORS)

• Create and maintain Behavior Technical Specifications (BTS) for exterior lighting software solutions, following Behavior Driven Development (BDD) principles. This includes leading triad meetings and discussions with key stakeholders

• Develop and maintain blueprints and/or functional block diagrams

• Design and Sustain Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) diagrams (e.g. Block Definition Diagram, Use-case Diagram, Activity Diagram, Internal Block Diagram) using Rhapsody

• Establish and Uphold Subsystem/Solution Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEAs) using the FMEA Integration Tool (FIT). Support the development and linking of Software Component FMEAs, Process FMEAs, and system FMEAs, when appropriate, by providing context of software related failure modes and contributions, with a focus on high severity items.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with other SSLEs to ensure robust integration of subsystems/solutions, including failure mode discussions for interfaces between your subsystem/solutions to other subsystems/solutions

• Create and update Calibration Bill of Materials (CalBOM) template for calibrations

• Collaborate with Controls and Software Engineers to review controls design and/or software implementation, providing guidance to ensure compliance with requirements

• Support definition and implementation of Testable Functionality Roll-Out Plan (TFRP)

• Collaborate with Validation Engineers to support the creation of testable scenarios to ensure intent of BTS requirements is met with a robust test plan

• Support the root cause analysis for applicable sub-system related issues and translate resolutions into new or revised requirements, as appropriate

• Support the development of requirements related to OBD regulations or calibrations, as applicable

• Support the development and tagging of safety requirements, based on rolldown from systems/systems safety, and regulatory requirements

• Operate in agile development of software-related requirements as a key participant and stakeholder in scrum meetings and ART ceremonies (e.g. Daily Stand‑Up, Iteration Planning, Iteration Review, and Program Increment Planning, etc.)

• Create and maintain Features and Stories to manage requirements and specifications of sub-systems using change management tool (e.g. Jira) and complete stories by agreed timing

• Review Owner’s Manual and Service information related to the applicable sub-system to ensure alignment with intended sub-system operation, if applicable

• Provide guidance to support COSIM environment development

• Provide guidance and input for feature design verification plan by working with System and/or Feature Owners and Validation Engineers

• Support advanced technical work projects that drive future features and vehicle enhancements

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Systems/Mechatronic/Mechanical/Controls/Electrical/Software or related engineering discipline

• Technical Writing
• Signal Mapping
• Software FMEA
• Minimum of 6+ years of relevant experience
• Experience related to mechatronic systems or subsystems
• Basic knowledge of controls theory and the software development process
• Strong analytical problem‑solving skills, including independent judgment and decision‑making skills, where problems are very unusual and extremely difficult
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills required to build relationships with team members and customers to solve problems and resolve issues
• Physics‑based understanding of the Voice‑of‑Customer (VOC), and Critical to Quality (CTQ) requirements.
• Ability to effectively communicate issues, status and recommendations to leadership
• Proven ability in project management skills, strong attention to details, and ability to teach others
• Ability to prioritize work with limited direction

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Masters or PhD in Engineering with an emphasis on Systems, Mechatronics, software or Controls
• Experience with writing, interpreting or managing requirements
• Experience in the vehicle exterior lighting technical domain
• Experience with calibration, software, and controls development
• Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., DNG, DOORS, etc.)
• Experience with Behavior Driven Development (BDD), Test‑Driven Development (TDD), Gherkin syntax
• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering and associated tools (e.g. Rhapsody)
• Knowledge of risk‑assessment tools, such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Experience leveraging simulation environments and plant modeling for testing or requirements generation (e.g., Matlab/Simulink, CarSim, GT‑Power, D‑Space, ETAS, etc.)
• Experience with work management tools such as JIRA/JIRA Align, Azure, IBM Rational Team Concert, etc.
• Experience with OBD regulations requirements
• Experience with Agile methodologies
• Experience with automotive regulations or safety critical systems
• Experience with Microsoft Visio
• Experience with automotive electrical architectures and/or software defined vehicles
• Familiarity with vehicle network communication protocols and tools such as CAN, LIN, and SPI
• Hardware I/O level controller knowledge

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $115,000 to $164,600. The actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.

Benefits Overview

The goal of the General Motors of Canada total rewards program is to support the health and well-being of you and your family. Our comprehensive compensation plan currently includes the following benefits, in addition to many others:

• Paid time off including vacation days, holidays, and supplemental benefits for pregnancy, parental and adoption leave.
• Healthcare, dental, and vision benefits.
• Life insurance plans to cover you and your family.
• Company and matching contributions to a Defined Contribution Pension plan to help you save for retirement.
• GM Vehicle Purchase Plan for you, your family and friends.

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.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities

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.

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, 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, email us 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.