Director, Manufacturing Research

Job Description

The Director – Manufacturing Research will lead the Manufacturing Research and Development team within GM R&D. This team performs research and creates technologies to enable the future of manufacturing.  This role owns the roadmap for Manufacturing Research and Technology in partnership with Manufacturing Engineering and in support of Operations. This executive provides the vision and thought leadership for GM’s Future Factories and production system. They guide direct and indirect staff in execution of research and development to mature technologies and deliver new production capabilities. The leader enables a culture of invention and innovation. They also have primary responsibility for the GM research laboratories supporting test and development.

As the Director of the Manufacturing Research and Development, you will lead a team of managers and research scientists in the following research domains: robotics, Industry 6.0 capabilities for smart factories/production systems, technologies for process, quality, and ergonomics optimization, mathematical modeling, digital twins and applied Artificial intelligence methods for production. You will partner with other R&D and Tech development leaders, GM stakeholders, and external partners to drive a research portfolio delivering value to GM.

Scope

• Lead a  cross‑disciplinary manufacturing research organization.
   
• Own the R&D portfolio for Manufacturing Research and Development (including robotics research).
   
• Operate upstream of Manufacturing Engineering.
   
• Serve as an inspirational and expert manufacturing technology thought leader across GM and with academia, national labs, and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Portfolio

• Set a multi‑year manufacturing research strategy and roadmap aligned with GM enterprise priorities.
   
• Own the research portfolio for manufacturing technologies with clear value, metrics, and transition paths.
   
• Integrate automation and AI as core capabilities in future manufacturing architectures.
   
• Use technology management frameworks to prioritize investments and manage risk.

Technology Development & Industrialization

• Lead development of state-of-the-art inspection and automation

• Design solutions for real plant deployment (reliability, safety, maintainability, OT/IT integration).
   
• Define “ready for ME/plant” criteria and manage disciplined MRL based technology maturation and hand‑offs to ME, GA Robotics, and plants.
   
• Drive rapid pilot/learning cycles and scale winning solutions.

Cross‑Functional & External Collaboration

• Partner closely with Manufacturing Engineering and plant stakeholders to identify needs, co‑design solutions, and measure impact.
   
• Coordinate with product engineering, vehicle architecture, and digital engineering to align manufacturing technology with product roadmaps.
   
• Engage with national labs, universities, suppliers and tech companies as force multipliers while keeping GM R&D as the primary innovation engine.
   
• Benchmark GM against leading OEMs, Tier‑1s, and manufacturing tech companies and import best practices selectively.

People Leadership & Culture

• Build and mentor a high‑EQ, cross‑disciplinary team of researchers, engineers and technicians.
   
• Foster a culture of high‑intensity, experimental work combined with strong collaboration and respect for Manufacturing Engineering and plant realities.
   
• Demonstrate humble, inclusive leadership that builds trust.
   
• Develop senior technical experts, including subject matter experts and potential Fellows.

Qualifications

• PhD in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
   
• 12+ years in robotics and/or manufacturing research or engineering with plant‑deployed systems experience.
   
• 5+ years leading technical teams with portfolio and delivery accountability.
   
• Proven research/tech‑to‑implementation track record from concept through pilots into sustained operations.
   
• Deep knowledge of:
  • Industrial robotics (articulated, collaborative, mobile) and controls.
  • AI/ML for vision, inspection, and predictive analytics.
  • Factory integration, safety standards, and OT/IT environments.
     
• Strong ability to manage complex stakeholder landscapes and influence senior leaders with data and clear narratives.
   
• Excellent communication and executive presence, including external representation.

• Evidence of significant research accomplishments (publications, patents).

Work Arrangement

Based at the GM Global Technical Center (Warren, MI) with a hybrid work arrangement consistent with GM policies, and regular travel to North American and select global manufacturing sites and partners.

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 

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Benefits Overview

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