General Motors is preparing for a hiring spree in the next few months as moves to fill 3,000 openings for engineers and software developers. Part of the pitch will be to allow more employees with technical skills to work remotely far from Detroit.
“As we evolve and grow our software expertise and services, it’s important that we continue to recruit and add diverse talent,” said GM President Mark Reuss, adding GM expects to complete the hiring of the new employees by the end of the first quarter of 2021.
“This will clearly show that we’re committed to further developing the software we need to lead in EVs, enhance the customer experience and become a software expertise-driven workforce.”
(GM delivers unexpectedly strong Q3 earnings but Wall Street remains unimpressed.)
The hiring plan was influenced by GM’s experience during the pandemic, which placed greater emphasis on being able to reach customers through online retailing and a growing effort to offer more services and features both online and through apps that can be incorporated into a vehicle.
Emphasis on online retailing and services comes on top of GM’s corporate goal of building vehicles for a future with “zero crashes and zero emissions and zero congestion,” which drives the development of electric and autonomous vehicles.
GM’s current software initiatives already produced advances such as the company’s well-regarded “Super Cruise” system and OnStar, which offers access to safety services from a compatible phone or from an OnStar equipped vehicle.
(GM names former Delta Air Lines exec Jacobson as new CFO.)
While many of the new hires eventually will be based in Detroit as GM opens up its offices after the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control, GM said it plans to offer what it describes as “more remote opportunities than ever before” as the development of autonomous and electric vehicles as well as advanced platforms continues at a fast pace.
GM noted recent virtual innovations made by the engineering team allowed the company to speed up electric-vehicle projects and lower costs even as employees work from locations outside of GM’s engineering sites around Detroit.
The company’s hiring spree also will create new jobs for electrical system engineers; infotainment as well as software engineers with skills in Java, Android, iOS and other platforms; controls engineers that can build on GM’s current software foundation.
The announcement also emphasized that the company is making strides toward its goal of becoming the most inclusive workplace in the world. “General Motors believes that achieving an all-electric future can only become a reality by embracing and investing in diverse perspectives and talent,” the company said.
(GM investing $2B to build Cadillac Lyriq at former Saturn plant.)
To meet its goal, GM also recently announced the start of a 12-week paid family leave program for non-union employees to assist with challenges surrounding family care.
