Hardware Engineering Manager, Digital Key (Phone as a Key)
Description
The Ideal Candidate
Connectivity plays a pivotal role in using and advancing technology to offer unparalleled customer experience and develop revenue generating streams while acting as a cornerstone to offer safety critical, hands-free driving solutions in line with General Motor's strong safety culture. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Hardware Engineering Manager, Digital Key to join our team, focused on developing best-in-class automotive connectivity systems. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in developing digital key hardware from the ground up and successfully integrating across multiple vehicle platforms.
Role Summary
The Digital Key Hardware Engineering Manager will lead a team of 4-5 hardware engineers responsible for development of specifications and PCB schematic layouts, sourcing of a component manufacturer, board bring up and hardware testing, FMEAs, vehicle packaging and integration, and subsystem hardware performance verification required to deliver GM's end-to-end Digital Key system. This role will own the hardware lifecycle from concept through launch and post-launch support, ensuring robust, scalable solutions that meet performance, cost, quality, and timing targets across multiple vehicle programs.
The ideal candidate combines strong people leadership, deep hardware design and test experience, and a solid understanding of wireless technologies used for Digital Key (e.g., UWB, BLE, NFC, secure elements, antennas, and in-vehicle modules).
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Key Responsibilities
- Lead a team of 4-5 hardware engineers focused on development of Digital Key hardware components.
- Drive sourcing of CM (component manufacturer) with Purchasing and internal Commodity Teams to align on cost, timing, and robust supply chain resiliency.
- Drive specification and schematic development for all Digital Key components (performance, RF, power, security, regulatory, vehicle interfaces, etc).
- Drive design reviews for PCB layout, FMEA/FMEDA, DFM, vehicle packaging, etc.
- Drive hardware bring-up and in vehicle system test plan development and execution to ensure component and in-vehicle performance meet specifications.
- Drive hardware issue resolution to ensure issues are quickly triaged, root-caused, and resolved.
- Represent hardware team in program reviews, gateway readiness reviews, and leadership updates.
- Align closely with cross functional teams from Product, Software, Quality, and Vehicle Teams on feature roadmap and development status.
Required Skills and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
- 8+ years of experience in hardware development for automotive, consumer electronics, or related industries.
- 2+ years of experience in a technical leadership or people manager role (formal or strong matrix leadership).
- Proven experience with board-level hardware design and testing for embedded systems, microcontrollers, and wireless technologies (UWB, BLE, NFC)
- Demonstrated ownership of hardware from concept through launch, including supplier engagement and cross-functional alignment.
- Strong communication skills with experience presenting technical content and trade-offs to leadership.
What Will Give You a Competitive Edges
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
- Experience in automotive hardware development.
#LI-JK3
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.
About GM
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Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA
- HSA
- HSA With Employer Contribution
Parental Benefits
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Adoption Leave
- Fertility Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Opportunities
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Casual Dress
- Happy Hours
- On-Site Cafeteria
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Leave of Absence
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K)
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Performance Bonus
- Relocation Assistance
- Stock Purchase Program
Professional Development
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Learning and Development Stipend
- Promote From Within
- Mentor Program
- Shadowing Opportunities
- Access to Online Courses
- Lunch and Learns
- Internship Program
Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program
- Woman founded/led
- Employee Resource Groups (ERG)
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