General Motors Logo

General Motors

VAA Strategy and Planning Lead

Sorry, this job was removed at 07:07 a.m. (PST) on Wednesday, Aug 26, 2026
Be an Early Applicant
Hybrid
Warren, MI
Senior level
Hybrid
Warren, MI
Senior level

Similar Jobs at General Motors

Senior level
Automotive • Big Data • Information Technology • Robotics • Software • Transportation • Manufacturing
Leads Fuel and Diesel Exhaust Fluid subsystem validation across global vehicle programs. Owns validation plans, test deliverables, readiness assessments, risk management, compliance processes, and technical recommendations at development milestones. Evaluates virtual validation results, coordinates with release teams, suppliers, and test houses, manages hardware reduction initiatives, and drives complex cross-functional issues to closure. Provides technical leadership, influences decisions without direct authority, and coaches design release and validation engineers.
Top Skills: Design Review Based On Test Results (Drbtr)JIRAProblem Resolution Tracking System (Prts)Virtual Design Development And Validation (Vddv)
Yesterday
Hybrid
Senior level
Senior level
Automotive • Big Data • Information Technology • Robotics • Software • Transportation • Manufacturing
Drives vehicle and supplier quality problem resolution across assigned vehicle areas. Performs root-cause analysis, issue containment, countermeasure implementation, quality assessments, and progress tracking against launch goals. Creates part quality specifications, communicates status in launch reviews, co-leads plant issue-resolution teams, and provides lessons learned to design engineering. Requires independent judgment, leadership, crisis communication, and flexibility to rotate across work shifts.
Top Skills: EtacGm 7-DiamondItacMath Data AssessmentPart GaugesPrtsRed X/Shainin Problem SolvingScanning ToolsSppsTac Fixtures
Yesterday
Hybrid
Mid level
Mid level
Automotive • Big Data • Information Technology • Robotics • Software • Transportation • Manufacturing
Lead development and plant implementation of electrical tooling and equipment for Vehicle as a Tester (VaaT). Translate manufacturing needs into tooling solutions, manage requirements, design, sourcing, validation, downtime and installation planning, provide onsite launch and issue-resolution support, coordinate cross-functionally and with suppliers, and drive standardization and continuous improvement across multiple plants.
Top Skills: ConveyorsElectrical Manufacturing Support EquipmentFixturesToolingVaat
Lead strategy and planning for third-party Value Added Assembler (VAA) suppliers for new program launches. Author eSORs, provide VAA subject-matter expertise, develop cost targets, create standardized work and documentation, support onboarding and technical reviews, partner with engineering and manufacturing teams, and ensure pre-production funding and delivery of control drawings and MPDs to VAAs.
The summary above was generated by AI
Description
At General Motors, we are committed to designing, building, and selling the world's best vehicles. This vision drives us every day and is at the core of our customer-focused culture. Achieving this requires exceptional people who are motivated to make an impact at one of the world's most iconic companies.
The Role
As the VAA Strategy and Planning Lead , you will develop strategy and planning for third-party Value Added Assembler (VAA) suppliers supporting new program launches. VAAs are suppliers that assemble key modules such as suspensions, headliners, consoles, and tire-and-wheel assemblies, then deliver them in sequence to GM assembly plants, along with other major commodities.
In this role, you will help foster strong collaboration across GM teams and supplier partners, support onboarding of third-party VAA personnel into GM systems as needed, and build effective working relationships with plant teams, coworkers, and suppliers.
What You'll Do
  • Support Manufacturing Integration Managers (MIMs) with eSOR kickoffs and issue resolution, including coordination with appendix owners
  • Author eSORs for programs within assigned plants
  • Provide VAA subject matter expertise and support technical reviews
  • Develop cost target estimates for VAA modules being sourced
  • Create and maintain VAA processes and documentation as needed
  • Develop and improve VAA standardized work, including TISs, RASICs, forms, and timelines
  • Support development and review of business cases as needed
  • Represent Vehicle Systems Manufacturing Engineering in interactions with VAAs
  • Provide VAA cost input to MPS studies, including target estimates, tooling and M&E costs, and trial part costs
  • Partner with CMEs to ensure VAA content and assembly requirements are included in design and PDT/CIT team activities
  • Support VAA Execution MEs in obtaining and delivering control drawings to VAAs
  • Support VAA Execution MEs in obtaining and delivering first-release MPDs to VAAs
  • Ensure startup funding for VAA pre-production activities, including training and system validation parts, is identified and provided to the IM and MIM for inclusion in MPS planning
  • Onboard appropriate VAA personnel into required GM systems and serve as sponsor as needed
  • Complete VAA RV checklist requirements for DSI and CSO gates
Required Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience in an associated sub-system, assembly plant and/or product environment, program management, assembly operations, or launch-related work
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience in process and tooling
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and team-building skills
  • Strong presentation and communication skills
  • Understanding of short lead time environments
  • Ability to travel domestically up to 5% to GM plants and VAA supplier locations
Preferred Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience in processing, tooling, M&E development, or launch management
  • In-depth knowledge of VAA commodities
  • Assembly plant experience
  • Industrial engineering experience
  • Understanding of GVDP (Global Vehicle Development Process)
  • Engineering degree

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 is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
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.
Total Rewards | Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
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.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
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, visit 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 [email protected] 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.

General Motors Los Angeles, California, USA Office

Los Angeles, CA, United States

General Motors Pasadena, California, USA Office

General Motors Advanced Design and Innovation Campus Office

The teams at the General Motors Advanced Design and Innovation campus in Pasadena, CA, are charged with exploring future transportation, technology and consumer trends and creating conceptual mobility solutions that inspire and inform program teams across the company.

What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene

Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.

Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
  • Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
  • Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account