Opportunity sourced from the Official SkillBridge website. Not endorsed by the Department of Defense.
This 12-week, full-time, on-site fellowship is designed to give transitioning service members hands-on exposure to General Motors’ manufacturing leadership environment through structured on-the-job training, mentorship, and day-to-day experience alongside front-line leaders in a high-volume plant. Fellows will build practical skills in leadership, safety, quality, problem-solving, communication, and operational execution while learning how GM Group Leaders support production and maintenance operations using GM systems, processes, and standards.
Manufacturing Group Leader – HoH/SkillBridge FellowshipAre you an active-duty service member interested in exploring a civilian career in manufacturing leadership? This full-time, 12-week, on-the-job training fellowship offers you the opportunity to learn how General Motors leads world-class manufacturing operations while you prepare for your transition from the military.This is a 12-week DoD SkillBridge / Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship hosted by GM, providing structured on-the-job training, mentorship, and exposure to our manufacturing environment. Participants remain active-duty service members and continue to receive military pay and benefits through the Department of Defense, not GM. This fellowship is intended to provide on-the-job training and evaluation for potential future employment opportunities at GM.This is an on-site fellowship at a GM manufacturing facility. Fellowship opportunities are available at one of the following GM manufacturing locations:- Arlington, TX- Lansing, MI- Marion, IN- Wentzville, MO. Final placement (Production or Maintenance) will be determined by GM based on your background and plant needs.The Role:As a Manufacturing Group Leader SkillBridge Fellow, you will support front-line leaders in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment. You will learn how GM Group Leaders:Lead and develop hourly teamsDrive daily production and maintenance activitiesUse GM systems and processes, including Global Manufacturing Systems and SPQRCE (Safety, People, Quality, Responsiveness, Cost, and Environment)Support GM’s transformation toward electric and autonomous vehiclesYou will primarily shadow, assist, and gradually take on supervised responsibilities in one of two focus areas:Production – supporting production operations, quality, material flow, and daily line performanceMaintenance – supporting skilled trades in troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining complex equipment and processesWhat You’ll Do:During the fellowship, you may:Support daily operationsAssist in analyzing and responding to the daily production or maintenance planObserve and assist with real-time adjustments under supervisionLearn to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a high-volume manufacturing settingLearn frontline leadershipObserve and support how Group Leaders assign work, coach team members, and foster a positive, safe work environmentParticipate in driving accountability through people and processes, including practicing how to handle difficult conversations with coaching and supportBuild skills in conflict management, decision-making, and team communicationSupport quality and continuous improvementAssist with production, inspection, and GM Built-in-Quality initiativesParticipate in problem-solving activities to address quality or performance issuesLearn how GM applies continuous improvement methods, such as basic lean concepts and root cause analysisSupport maintenance operations (for maintenance-focused fellows)All maintenance exposure is observational and assistive in nature and conducted under direct supervision; fellows will not perform independent skilled trades workShadow skilled trades teams performing preventive and corrective maintenanceObserve and assist in troubleshooting equipment issues (electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic) under supervisionLearn how maintenance plans, checks, and tests are documented, executed, and evaluatedCross-functional collaborationParticipate in meetings and communications with production, maintenance, engineering, quality, and material teamsLearn how Group Leaders coordinate labor, inventory, and equipment to meet safety, quality, and delivery targetsYou may also be assigned to special projects that align with your skills and the plant’s priorities, such as standard work updates, data collection, or small process-improvement initiatives.Physical Requirements:This role is based in a manufacturing plant environment and requires the ability to:Work in a loud environment that may not be climate-controlled (hot or cold conditions)Frequently and repetitively:Bend, twist, kneel, crouch, and reach to perform or observe workLift or carry materials weighing up to 15 lbs., and periodically up to 40 lbs.Walk and stand for prolonged periods of timeOccasionally:Sit, climb (including ladders and lifts), and drive vehicles and equipmentRead standardized work instructions, observe operations, and perform or support basic quality checksPromptly detect and respond to safety instructions, alarms, and signalsWear required personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, gloves, hard hats, ear plugs, and safety shoesRequired Qualifications:To be considered for this fellowship, you must:Be an Active-Duty U.S. military service member eligible to participate in the DoD SkillBridge programBe an approved candidate for Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship – cohort 26-3Have approximately 180 days of time in service remaining at the start of the fellowshipBe 18 years of age or olderHave a High School Diploma or equivalentHave experience leading people or teams in a military or civilian setting (e.g., squad/section leader, LPO, team chief, shift leader, or similar)Demonstrate the ability to:Solve complex problems and make decisions in a fast-paced, ambiguous environmentCommunicate effectively and manage conflict in a professional mannerListen, read, and follow work and safety instructionsHave basic computer proficiency (e.g., email, Microsoft Office applications, basic data entry)Be able to work a standard full-time schedule (up to 40 hours per week) on a designated shift during the fellowship (no rotating shifts, weekend work, or overtime will be required as part of this SkillBridge assignment)Preferred QualificationsThese are not required for participation, but they may help you stand out and/or accelerate your learning:Experience supervising or leading employees in a highly structured environmentExposure to manufacturing, maintenance, logistics, or quality operations (military or civilian)Familiarity with:Basic continuous improvement or lean conceptsStructured problem-solving (e.g., root cause analysis, A3 thinking, Red X, Six Sigma/DFSS)Maintenance concepts or reading/understanding technical drawings (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic)Experience working on multiple projects or missions simultaneously with tight timelinesDemonstrated:Strong critical thinking and analytical skillsHigh level of integrity and comfort working with ambiguityWillingness to ask questions, take initiative, and be resourcefulAbility to collaborate across multiple functions or teams
US Air Force, US Army, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Space Force
Locations where fellowship opportunities are available are: Arlington, TX, Marion, IN, Lansing, MI and Wentzville, MO
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