Adaptive Lighting Technical Specialist and Vehicle Performance Owner
Top focus
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. The Role The Exterior Lighting Adaptive Headlamp Systems Technical Specialist & Vehicle Performance Owner is a recognized technical leader for adaptive headlight and projection features, including Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB), road writing, symbol markings, animations, and other customer-facing lighting projection features enabled by camera, perception, and LED projection technologies.
The role is accountable for feature development from customer-facing requirements definition through virtual development, physical testing, regulatory compliance, and program execution, while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver robust feature behavior and vehicle-level integration across GM portfolios.
The role owns the technical foundation for AHS feature behavior and projection feature integration, including requirements linkage, test strategy, virtual development methods, and brand-aligned deployment of new features and enhancements. Working in this rapidly developing space, the role identifies future opportunities for invention and introduction of new customer features that enhance safety, customer experience, and the broader electrified and connected vehicle portfolio.
What You’ll Do (Responsibilities) Lead as the Adaptive Headlamp Systems Technical Specialist & Vehicle Performance Owner across programs, championing the voice of the customer and aligning feature intent to vehicle execution. Collaboratively develop, define, and maintain customer-facing, feature-level technical requirements from available data and knowledge, and ensure clear linkage of requirements to each component.
Explore and identify required capabilities and improvements for inputs to projection features, including camera, LiDAR, ADAS systems, infrared, and other sensors or enabling technologies. Ensure robust adherence to lighting regulations through appropriate vehicle and component design solutions and aligned compliance strategies, with focus on balancing glare avoidance with light output.
Lead feature development and guide program execution to meet all program milestones, including both physical and virtual development activities. Drive development of testing requirements, procedures, and equipment, and ensure alignment to outside test houses used by NHTSA.
Lead the creation and continuous improvement of virtual development tools and methods for AHS and projection feature development. Ensure vehicle brand alignment for implementation of developed features and drive adoption of those features into GM brand portfolios.
Follow market trends and identify future opportunities for invention, feature enhancements, and new customer-facing lighting and projection experiences. Support AHS-specific analysis for projection features in the system-level DFMEA and guide or participate in development night drives for exterior lighting components supporting new vehicle programs.
Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications) Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering, Physics or other relevant degree. 5 years of experience in electrical integration, exterior lighting, hardware development, software development, or related new product development.
Demonstrated competence in development of new electro/mechanical products. High level of competence in writing, decomposing, and comprehending electrical, hardware, and software requirements. Demonstrated cross-functional technical leadership and collaboration.
Excellent physics-based problem-solving skills. Knowledge of mechatronics, electrical architectures, and system designs. High level understanding of software design and failure modes. What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications) Master’s degree in engineering or other advanced degree.
Knowledge of vehicle data communication types (CAN, GMLAN, LIN, Ethernet) and electrical architectures. 10 years of experience in Camera Perception or Optics. Experience working with overseas automotive OEMs and suppliers. Training in lighting manufacturing processes and assembly.
Master Black Belt DFSS Certification. #LI-KM2 

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 hybrid.
This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.

The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role.

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis.
A company vehicle will only be provided for this role by passing the Motor Vehicle Report review.

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