Lead Systems Engineer – Defense

General Motors

. Lead a team of Systems Engineers in developing, decomposing, and rolling down system requirements .

Posted 10/22/2026full-timeMilford • Michigan • United StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive experience in systems engineering, including requirements development, integration, and verification of complex defense systems. Proficient in applying AI-enabled tools to enhance requirements quality and team capabilities while leading cross-functional collaboration.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Systems EngineeringRequirements DevelopmentSystem DFMEAFault Tree AnalysisCross-Functional Collaboration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Requirements ManagementTraceabilityRisk IdentificationTechnical Issue ResolutionIntegration PlanningVerification PlanningSubsystem RequirementsPerformance OptimizationAvailability TargetsAI-Enabled Tools

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsLeadershipAnalytical AbilityCollaboration

Industry Keywords

Defense IndustryComplex Defense SystemsMechanical Systems EngineeringElectrical Systems EngineeringIntegrated Vehicle Systems

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead a team of Systems Engineers in developing, decomposing, and rolling down system requirements
Align subsystem requirements, interfaces, and verification plans with mission and program objectives
Drive system-level integration across engineering disciplines
Lead cross-functional collaboration to support safety, performance, cost, timing, manufacturability, and validation objectives
Oversee interface definition, requirements traceability, and verification planning across systems and subsystems
Create System DFMEA and ensure system failure modes are documented and addressed
Participate in Fault Tree Analysis and identify risk drivers and mitigation paths
Collaborate on verification and validation planning across mechanical, electrical, and controls domains
Lead system integration and issue resolution through the full development cycle
Optimize system design and total system performance with subsystem and component teams
Set availability targets, allocate them to subsystems and components, assess feature sensitivity, and define mitigation plans
Apply AI-enabled tools to improve requirements quality, speed, consistency, and traceability
Ensure the team completes required AI training and adopts AI tools and methods effectively
Identify technical and integration risks early and lead resolution of cross-system issues
Support scalable system architecture and requirements frameworks through development and launch
Travel less than 25% for the role

Requirements

What you’ll need

BSE or BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or equivalent experience
10+ years of professional experience in systems engineering, requirements development, product integration, or equivalent technical roles
5+ years of systems engineering experience within the defense industry, supporting development, integration, and verification of complex defense systems
Effective interpersonal and communication skills for collaboration with cross-functional teams, customers, and business development partners
Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, controls, and integrated vehicle systems engineering theory and principles
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in requirements development, interface alignment, integration, and technical issue resolution
Ability to develop and execute System DFMEA, participate in Fault Tree Analysis, and collaborate on verification and validation planning
Strong analytical ability to translate customer and product objectives into executable system requirements, availability targets, and mitigation plans
Technical and professional skills in systems engineering, including requirements management, traceability, risk identification, and cross-functional decision-making
Ability to apply AI-enabled tools and methods to improve requirements quality, speed, consistency, and traceability, while building team capability through adoption practices
Must be a U.S. Person: U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee
Must not require GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future
Position is subject to export control restrictions
Successful completion of role-related assessments and/or pre-employment screening may be required

Benefits

Comp & perks

Company vehicle evaluation program, with a General Motors vehicle assigned upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review
Relocation benefits available for candidates who qualify under company policy