General Motors hires across manufacturing, engineering, sales, and corporate roles

General Motors posts open positions on its careers website at careers.gm.com, where you can search by location, job category, and experience level. The company employs roughly 100,000 people globally, with major hiring in Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and other manufacturing states. Most roles require you to create an account, upload a resume, and complete an online process before a recruiter reviews your submission.

GM's hiring process varies by role type. Factory and assembly line positions typically move faster — sometimes from process to hire in two to four weeks — while engineering and management roles can take two to three months. The company uses online assessments for many entry-level and technical positions, and interviews are conducted by phone, video, or in-person depending on the stage and location.

You do not need to know someone at GM to get hired, though internal referrals do move applications to the front of the queue. If you know a current GM employee, ask them to refer you through the internal system; if not, explore directly through the careers site is the standard path.

Key Takeaways

  • All GM job openings are posted on careers.gm.com, where you create an account and submit your resume and process materials directly.
  • Manufacturing and assembly roles typically hire within four to six weeks, while technical and management positions often take two to three months from process to offer.
  • GM uses online skills assessments for many positions, particularly in production and technical fields, as part of the screening process.
  • An internal referral from a current GM employee can speed up your process review, though it is not required to be considered.
  • Salary and benefits vary significantly by role, location, and whether you join as hourly or salaried staff.

Types of roles GM hires for regularly

GM's largest hiring category is production and assembly work — positions on the factory floor that build vehicles, operate machinery, and manage quality control. These roles typically start at the hourly wage set by your local union contract (if unionized) or GM's standard rate for that location. Most require a high school diploma or GED and no prior automotive experience, though some specialized positions prefer technical background.

Engineering and technical roles include mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, software developers, and manufacturing engineers. These positions usually require a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field and are concentrated in GM's technical centers in Michigan and other states. Salary for entry-level engineers typically ranges based on your degree level and the specific role, but GM publishes salary bands on the job posting itself.

Sales and customer service positions are posted both at GM's corporate offices and through dealerships. Corporate sales roles focus on fleet sales or business-to-business work, while dealership positions are posted by individual dealers but sometimes appear on the GM careers site. Customer service roles include call center work, warranty support, and technical information.

Corporate and administrative roles span finance, human resources, marketing, supply chain, and logistics. These positions are based primarily in Michigan (GM's headquarters is in Detroit) and other regional offices. Most require a bachelor's degree and prior work experience in the relevant field.

What to expect in the process and interview process

After you submit your process on careers.gm.com, a system screens it against the job requirements — this is automated and typically takes one to two weeks. If your resume matches the posting, you will receive an email inviting you to complete an online assessment or to schedule a phone screening with a recruiter.

Online assessments vary by role. Production roles often include a mechanical reasoning test or a situational judgment test. Technical roles may include coding challenges, engineering simulations, or technical knowledge questions. These assessments are timed and completed at home on your own computer; you typically have a few days to finish.

If you pass the assessment, the next step is usually a phone or video interview with a recruiter or hiring manager. This conversation covers your background, why you are interested in the role, and basic job fit. For production roles, this may be your only interview before an offer. For technical and management roles, you will likely have a second or third round with the direct manager or a panel.

In-person interviews at a GM facility or office are typically reserved for final-round candidates. You will be asked to bring a photo ID and may be asked to sign additional paperwork. Background checks and drug screening happen after an offer is made, not before.

Salary, benefits, and what differs between hourly and salaried positions

GM's pay structure depends on whether you are hired as an hourly employee (production, assembly, some maintenance roles) or a salaried employee (engineering, management, corporate). Hourly wages are set by union contracts at unionized facilities or by GM's standard rate at non-union plants; both are posted in the job listing. Salaried positions show a salary range on the posting, though the actual offer depends on your experience and negotiation.

Hourly employees at unionized GM plants typically earn more than the federal minimum wage, with wages increasing based on seniority. Non-union facilities pay less but still above minimum wage for the state. Overtime is common in manufacturing, especially during high-production periods, and is paid at time-and-a-half.

All GM employees — hourly and salaried — receive health insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and paid time off. Salaried employees typically receive more vacation days and additional benefits like tuition reimbursement and professional development funds. Hourly employees receive pension benefits through the union (at unionized plants) or a company retirement plan (at non-union facilities).

Shift work is standard in manufacturing. Most production roles work either day shift (roughly 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.), afternoon shift (2 p.m. to 10 p.m.), or night shift (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.), rotating on a set schedule. Some facilities operate on a fixed shift, meaning you work the same hours every week.

How to find openings by location and job type

On careers.gm.com, use the search filters to narrow results by state, city, job category, and experience level. You can search for "manufacturing" to see all production and assembly roles, "engineering" for technical positions, or "sales" for customer-facing roles. Each job posting includes the location, shift (if applicable), and a detailed description of daily responsibilities.

If you are interested in a specific GM facility — for example, the assembly plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, or the technical center in Warren, Michigan — you can search by facility name or location and see all open roles there. Some facilities hire continuously for production roles, while others post openings only when production ramps up or when there is turnover.

You can also set up job alerts on the careers site so that new postings matching your criteria are emailed to you automatically. This is useful if you are flexible on location or want to be notified as soon as a specific type of role opens.

Internships and early-career programs at GM

GM runs several programs for students and recent graduates. The GM Internship Program is open to undergraduates and graduate students studying engineering, business, finance, and related fields. Internships typically last 10 to 12 weeks during the summer and are paid; the hourly rate varies by location and program but is competitive with other automotive internships. You explore through careers.gm.com and must be enrolled in school or have graduated within the past year.

The GM Early Career Program (sometimes called the New Graduate Program) is for people who have completed a bachelor's degree within the past two years. This program places you in a full-time role with mentorship and structured learning for the first year. Positions are in engineering, finance, supply chain, and other technical fields. Salary is set based on your degree and role, and you are may be able to access for all standard GM benefits when ready.

Both programs are posted on careers.gm.com under the "Students" or "Early Career" section. process important date vary by program but are typically in the fall for summer internships and rolling for early-career positions.

What to know before you explore

GM requires all applicants to be at least 18 years old and to have a high school diploma or GED for most positions. For roles involving machinery or hazardous materials, you may need to pass a physical exam or provide proof of specific certifications. These requirements are listed in the job posting.

If you have a criminal record, GM's policy varies by role and the nature of the offense. Production roles may be open to you depending on how long ago the offense occurred and whether it is relevant to the job. Corporate and customer-facing roles have stricter screening. The best approach is to explore and be honest in the background check process; GM will tell you if a record disqualifies you for that specific role.

You will need a valid driver's license or state ID to complete the process and to start work. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have work authorization (a green card, visa, or other valid work permit). GM does not sponsor visas for most positions, so you will need existing authorization to be hired.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hear back after I explore?

For production roles, you may hear back within one to two weeks. For technical and management roles, the timeline is longer — often three to six weeks before a recruiter contacts you. If you do not hear back after eight weeks, you can contact the recruiter listed on the job posting or check your process status on careers.gm.com.

Can I explore for multiple positions at the same time?

Yes. You can explore for as many roles as you meet the requirements for. However, if you are offered a position and then explore for another role, you will need to decide whether to accept the first offer or wait for the second. It is best to prioritize and explore for roles you genuinely want rather than explore to everything.

What is the difference between a GM job and a dealership job?

GM jobs are positions at General Motors' corporate offices, manufacturing plants, and technical centers. Dealership jobs are at independently owned or franchise dealerships that sell GM vehicles. Dealership positions are posted by the dealership itself, not by GM, though some appear on the GM careers site. Pay, benefits, and working conditions differ significantly between the two.

Do I need to live near a GM facility to explore?

No. You can explore for roles anywhere in the country. However, most production roles require you to relocate or commute to the facility, so you should be prepared to move if you are hired for a position far from your current home. Some corporate roles allow remote work, which is noted in the job posting.

What happens if I fail the online assessment?

If you do not pass the assessment, you will not move forward in that particular process. You can explore for the same role again after a set period (usually 30 to 90 days), or you can explore for a different role. There is no penalty for retaking assessments, and you may perform differently on a second attempt.