Resident Paint Engineer

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.

Work Arrangement
This role is primarily on-site at GM’s Wentzville manufacturing facility, with occasional flexibility to work from home when business needs and project activities allow. The role may require support during plant shutdowns and weekend work as needed.

The Role
As a Paint Shop Resident Engineer, you will lead the execution of machinery and equipment projects for GM’s Vehicle Systems Paint Group. You will manage projects from concept development through design, procurement, installation, integration, startup, commissioning, and safety buyoff. Working closely with plant teams, suppliers, professional service providers, and construction contractors, you will help deliver safe, reliable, state-of-the-art paint systems while refurbishing and upgrading existing equipment. This role offers the opportunity to independently manage projects and serve as the primary connection between the plant and Vehicle Systems.

What You’ll Do

• Develop project concepts, define scopes of work, create bid specifications and schedules, and engage professional engineering services when needed.
• Identify and procure long-lead items, facilities, machinery, and equipment for Paint Shop projects, including preparing purchase requisitions and supporting GM’s Purchasing Bid & Award Process.
• Lead technical bid reviews and coordinate with suppliers and manufacturers throughout equipment engineering, fabrication, and delivery.
• Manage design changes through the field order process and maintain clear documentation of scope, cost, schedule, and technical impacts.
• Oversee on-site installation, construction coordination, schedule performance, and progress; integrate machinery and equipment into the Paint Shop.
• Lead system startup, debug, commissioning, and plant integration activities, including coordination of functional and safety buyoffs such as red, yellow, and green tag processes.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the plant and Vehicle Systems by providing timely updates on equipment failures, breakdowns, lost production, surveys, and technical studies.
• Support recurring Paint Shop activities, including monthly Paint 4-Walls reporting, annual color trials for new color introductions, and semiannual Paint Shop Durability Audits.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent engineering experience, required.
• Five or more years of engineering experience in manufacturing, industrial facilities, machinery and equipment, project execution, or a related field, required.
• Experience developing project scopes, specifications, schedules, purchase requisitions, and technical documentation.
• Experience coordinating suppliers, contractors, plant stakeholders, and cross-functional teams through project execution.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects independently, prioritize competing demands, and solve complex problems in a timely manner.
• Strong organization, planning, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with people across all levels of education and experience.
• Demonstrated project or team leadership experience and the ability to work effectively in a manufacturing plant environment.
• Ability to support plant shutdowns and occasional weekend work when required by project timing or business needs.
• Demonstrated alignment with GM Behaviors, including Inclusion, Think Customer, Innovate Now, Look Ahead, One Team, Be Bold, It’s on Me, and Winning with Integrity.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience specifying, commissioning, operating, refurbishing, or upgrading paint shop equipment and systems.
• Working knowledge of major paint processes, including phosphate, ELPO, ovens, air houses, paint mix, sludge, sealing, primer, and topcoat.
• Experience executing projects in a vehicle manufacturing or paint shop environment.
• Familiarity with machinery and equipment procurement, supplier technical reviews, field order/change-control processes, and functional or safety buyoffs.
• Experience supporting equipment failure investigations, production-loss reporting, durability audits, color trials, or similar plant technical activities.

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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.

Relocation benefits are available for candidates who qualify under company policy.



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.

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