Come on, GM. Really? REALLY?

"DCCARGEEK" (dccargeek) 06/05/2014 at 16:23 • Filed to: None

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Look! GM is hiring an engineer to buy airbags and seat belts, but they really want someone that can "drive down costs to meet financial targets."

Granted the job announcement, posted yesterday, doesn't say "regardless of the cost to the human body" and it is for a cost engineer and not a safety design engineer, still - this wording when combined with the word safety in the title is just very poorly timed even if it is just normal auto-industry business speak (maximizing profits and what not).

Do-Rif-To > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 16:44

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Oh look, an engineering job that requires an MBA but not even a BS or BE. This is sure to be a productive position.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 16:50

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No joke, a lot of those postings aren't even really "openings". GM is I believe the worst about this but I don't know much about Chrysler or Ford so maybe they're the same. But basically, that "posting" is to fulfill one manager's requirement that they shop around before promoting an internal candidate. At least, that's the way it reads. If they wanted a cost analyst then they'd title it as "cost analyst" but if they wanted a mechanical engineer then they'd be asking for an engineering degree. My guess would be this oddball posting was made to deflect searches from being accurate to promote an engineer who recently completed a business degree or perhaps move an engineer from one department to another and this was the way to satisfy requirements. So not only is it badly timed, it's kinda unfair to people who actually want to get in at GM.

DCCARGEEK > Do-Rif-To 06/05/2014 at 16:54

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engineer the best price. PhD in haggling.

ProcessBlack > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 16:59

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I've never worked for a company that had people working for them whose job it was to keep costs up. The trick is to keep costs down while still providing an effective measure to meet or exceed a requirement. I see no issue here.

LPIPMIP > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/05/2014 at 17:00

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+1 as an engineer and previous job seeker, I can tell you it is true. Some jobs are also posted as a requirement for visa sponsorship (H1, Green card) reasons. Many times, even though a candidate has been identified, HR will ask the hiring manager to post the position, accept resumes, interview and reject them because, in case of an audit the HR department should be able to back up the claim that "all candidates who applied were considered CAREFULLY"

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 17:01

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I'll take the job for $350,000 a year salary. I vow to do Jack shit when it comes to quality work, just like the rest of GM's employee's.

Now who's got a stack of paper and a waste basket?

DCCARGEEK > ProcessBlack 06/05/2014 at 17:02

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Like I said this is likely normally just seems poorly timed. Keep in mind the whole decision to forgo the part change, the catalyst for GM's debacle, was to drive Down costs.

ProcessBlack > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 17:05

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If you want to look at this from the position of an optimist, this available position is likely a result of the previous position holder being fired due to negligence.

Stephen > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/05/2014 at 17:08

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Many other large companies will have essentially permanent job postings for certain positions simply to always have a pool of resumes for those jobs. This does not mean they are actively hiring for a position, though. Usually the jobs are those that experience high turnover or vacancy/promotion rates. The company always needs a standby pool of interested candidates to pick from.

ranwhenparked > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/05/2014 at 17:09

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Based on the amount of jobs I've been "considered" for, then rejected, this could be the case.

epicdev > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 17:12

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Too soon, guys, too soon.

PogosRevenge > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL 06/05/2014 at 17:26

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You're one of the fucktards they just fired. Didn't you get the memo or are you too busy counting your imaginary salary?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 17:29

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Okay since this got shared to the FP I feel obligated to make my usual "This isn't actually news" post and here it is - As was said earlier today, GM has over 200k employees. Type any job title or keyword you want that somewhat relates to automotive in their job search engine and you'll get a few hits. Yes the timing is odd, but if they need someone to do a particular task, then that's what they need. Maybe it's just an excuse to get resumes to hire someone internally as well but it makes no real difference. Yet again, this is no different than how any other large company operates. They're just too big to not have hundreds and hundreds of idiots. Stupid people work in their HR department. There's too many people in that department to not have an idiot or two. Guess what? Someone with little tact or understanding of what was happening today wrote that post. You know what? It happens.

Sometimes, it's just some dumbass' fault. That's what I think happened here. And that's just business. No real story here folks, move along. The end.

Qfwfq > ProcessBlack 06/05/2014 at 17:36

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I wonder if Lockheed, Northrup Grumman, or General Dynamics has someone on staff with that job? It sure seems like it

Ad_absurdum_per_aspera > ProcessBlack 06/05/2014 at 17:37

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Agreed — from an engineering point of view.

From a PR point of view, it's rather tin-eared to say the least... though I don't know if it can possibly make their image any worse in this area.

The Transporter > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/05/2014 at 17:40

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This is pretty much a standard business practice. It's not unique to GM or even the automotive industry.

Old-Busted-Hotness > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 17:47

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Wanted: Whipping Boy. Gimp suit , health plan and 401(k) provided.

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 17:52

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Not sure why Matt FP'd this considering I don't know of many businesses who would hire people to drive costs up. Ironic coincidence, but not worth the roiling shitstorm to follow.

I'm sorry in advance for some of the comments you will probably see...

Stradale > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/05/2014 at 17:53

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You should start a blog/website that posts "real" news!

bobrayner > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 17:55

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Is this news? You can't run a big successful organisation without cost engineering. Sometimes we put a different label on it, usually in contexts where people have some kind of bizarre aversion to keeping a lid on costs, but it really happens.

Yeah, it's cool that carmakers can build cars with 500hp and nineteen cupholders and all round crumplezones (including the roof, in case some customer does an Orlove) and beautifully-sculpted ashtrays. But if it costs much more money to make such a great car, then it's not really a great car at all, because all your customers will go to a competitor. Cost engineering is a pretty big challenge.

Fry... ed > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 17:58

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Ivey memo all over again:

http://jalopnik.com/the-ivey-memo-…

DCCARGEEK > bobrayner 06/05/2014 at 18:02

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I welcome someone focused on reducing costs of pesky things like air bags and seat belts.

DCCARGEEK > King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider 06/05/2014 at 18:06

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I thought it was an interesting title and description given today's events. As I said this is normal everywhere just funny to see it so blatant given the recent events. I apologize this was mistaken for news. I'll make sure it never happens again. I'm sorry you had to suffer through this. I do hope you can forgive me for you having seen this.

TheDon > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/05/2014 at 18:07

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this is exactly what the posting is. It's tailored exactly to one person

8000rpm > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/05/2014 at 18:08

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That's a very common practice amongst all companies that have openings that fit certain legal criteria requiring the opening to be advertised.

8000rpm > ProcessBlack 06/05/2014 at 18:09

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Exactly. Who is hiring people who specialize in driving costs up and profits down?

webmonkees > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 18:17

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Not surprised, there's at least 15 openings. The last crew wasn't taking it as serious.

CC

cretony38 > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 18:21

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wasn't Homer Simpson the safety monitor?

bobrayner > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 18:28

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Cost engineering has been happening for years. Airbags, and all the tech around them, cost money; and people prefer to buy cheap cars. I'm glad that the cost of airbags has been brought down.

In rich countries, cost engineering of safety features means that people can routinely buy cars with lots of cool airbag features, like window-curtain airbags and selective deployment &c.

In poor countries it's an even bigger deal, because (a) road accidents are more common, and (b) buyers are more price-sensitive, and (c) it's harder to achieve some minimum level of safety features through legislation.

Making safety features more expensive would cost lives.

Chris11LE > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/05/2014 at 18:43

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Im not sure the "WTF" is about posting this just to its tailored towards one employee. Rather the bigger WTF is how they are basically saying "make it safe BUT CHEAP, PLEASE"

Granted, maybe they need safe and cheap at the same time after they have to pay out for all the ignition switch cases. But you'd figure for GM safety would have NO cost too high at this point

DCCARGEEK > bobrayner 06/05/2014 at 19:00

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Your response is laughable. Safety is driven by regulation more than cost.

coday182 > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 19:15

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Cost effective doesn't necessarily mean "at a cheaper price." Although that is what will probably happen. If they had the right guy, they could have better safety ratings but keep the same budget they have now. All these recalls, and what not, maybe it's not that they are not spending enough money, but because they don't know how to spend it? Then this is the position they need.

bobrayner > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 19:27

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I expected you'd mention regulation too. Good luck getting regulations to be passed (and followed) more comprehensively when they mandate something more expensive. Regulation doesn't make things free.

Today I bought a Volvo which has lots of safety features. Cost and safety were factors in my choice. It has, I believe, ten airbags. The legally required number of airbags here is zero. Can you explain how regulation made me buy a car with ten airbags?

If you honestly believe that increased affordability of safety features is laughable, I don't mind that much; but a bigger problem is that lots of people on the internet are reading this stuff and there is a risk that others might fall for such arguments.

MoreGone > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 19:53

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So lets not worry about doing the right thing, lets worry about financial targets. Got it.

DAKINS124 > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 20:01

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You mean a corporation wants to keep costs down? Well this is new!!

Every company tries to meet it's product standards while maintaining financial targets. This GM hate spin is getting to be ridiculous. If you think every other car company isn't doing exactly the same thing you are very naive.

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 20:41

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No need to apologize, I found it funny (though some FPers will use it as a platform for the airing of grievances). Opponauts need to stick together, I'm with ya :)

DCCARGEEK > bobrayner 06/05/2014 at 21:05

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Ok. You are correct. Market force is the main and/or only driver in automotive safety.

Gino King > DCCARGEEK 06/05/2014 at 21:09

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Why doesn't GM just come out and say it: Must have the ability to disregard negative words that we provided in a memo while also be willing to include fanciful, non-scientific phrases like 'dynamic', 'very comfortable', 'class-leading', 'People in Motion' (the current GM slogan created by millions of dollars in salary), or 'you probably won't die, but if you do, we'll deploy our huge group of lawyers, top level management and everyone else in our pocket to spend every waking hour figuring out that it's not our fault, and we sure as hell won't tell our buyers, congress, or stockholders that we killed people because we didn't do enough testing', then this is the job for you. You also must have no ability to read the news, agree with thousands of years of documented science, and be willing to commit your entire career on what we tell you, even if you've been 'taught' otherwise by those damned books and scientists. If you thrive on being rewarded while also having no sense of self-worth or dignity, this is the job for you! We provide a below-average salary for any non-union person that desires a paycheck instead of welfare. Anyone with the ability to reason, understand facts or drives a car need not apply. Only special candidates will be considered.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > PogosRevenge 06/05/2014 at 22:15

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wut.

bobarcangle > DCCARGEEK 06/06/2014 at 05:20

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You know what another name for this position is, don't you. Can I hear someone say "bean counter"?

Names have been changed to protect the innocent > DCCARGEEK 06/06/2014 at 08:43

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You guys all ought to grow up and find something else to do with your time. All big companies have problems and all are ALWAYS trying to find ways to reduce costs.

Drop it already. GM is no different than the other big companies. Stop trying to feed your own egos by taking others down.

designit > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL 06/06/2014 at 11:11

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Please don't reproduce.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > designit 06/06/2014 at 11:20

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I think the fact that it's sarcasm went right over your head.

Windlasher > bobrayner 06/06/2014 at 19:43

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Agreed: Lets build the most expensive cars and then bitch because ALL cars now cost 80k. All jobs are designed to drive down costs. This is a timing thing at the very most.

Windlasher > DCCARGEEK 06/06/2014 at 19:45

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Also regulated by Sales. If no one buys the 2015 GM Exploding Fireball SX because it has safety issues, then that would be an issue as well.

Colesw13 > DCCARGEEK 06/06/2014 at 20:48

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Classic Jalopnik here constantly trying to make GM seem like some kind of corporate monster because most of the people writing these articles think that hating GM makes them an automotive hipster. This is news that GM is finding a new "Safety Cost Engineer"... as in someone that is not one of the people that was helping with the ignition disaster, and you're trying to suggest that the fact that they even have a "Safety Cost Engineer" is some kind of atrocity.

Colesw13 > Fry... ed 06/06/2014 at 20:52

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So you're saying they should keep the same Safety Cost Engineer that they have had?

Zhesty > DCCARGEEK 06/08/2014 at 10:34

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Safety has regulations, but is only driven by popular demand in the US. Tracking compliance to regulations in the US is much less complete than the EU and allows US manufacturers to really get away with a lot. Think reaction based investigation (GM kills X people, so we look into it) vs. pre-emptive standard checking (aka EU customs and machinery manufacturing lines need to meet strict regulations and are audited regularly to check if they are doing things right).

Yes, there are tons of SAE, USDOT, etc regulations US manufacturers need to follow, but they are not checking all those little BOM items that you can slip inconsistencies through.

Basically US manufacturers only really have to show they have a process, but every one of those steps in that process should be tracked and discoverable. The problem GM has was that they were able to make things, like the ignition switch non-discoverable. Meaning without all the supreme court subpoenas a good inspector wouldn't of seen it, or wouldn't of even looked for it.

As for the position cited, I think it is laughable they are not requiring an actual engineer. The position itself, with a proper engineer would be a good investment though, as there are lots of safety components that are way over priced, and I am sure some of them promise more than they can deliver.

Either way, I'd be interested in seeing how long it takes them to fill this position. Being part of the safety culture, I don't see it being that easy to fill this spot.

DCCARGEEK > Zhesty 06/09/2014 at 10:04

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Great insights. Thanks for sharing. Always nice to have someone who understands how sausage is made.

noringnocare > DCCARGEEK 06/09/2014 at 17:13

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It should be filled by a Chinese; we love to haggle.

Lokki > DCCARGEEK 06/10/2014 at 09:10

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Years ago, I happened to get really really drunk with a Japanese Engineer . We got into the whole American car vs. Japanese car thing, which was a sore subject on both sides.

We all learned something: the philisophy under which Japanese engineers are trained is very different than the philosophy of American Engineers.

That is:

Japanese Engineers are taught to think:

"How can I make this component/car better without increasing costs?"

American Engineers are taught to think:

"How can I make this component/car cheaper to build without decreasing quality?"

Of course, neither engineer can ever completely succeed - Japanese car prices gradually creep up, but quality stays high. American cars prices don't rise but quality gradually diminishes as 'cost engineers' try to save an additional 3% every year.

Lokki > bobrayner 06/10/2014 at 09:15

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Yup. The reason that your car has the bags even where not required is because the car's main markets DO require them, and it's almost as cheap to do a single production run leaving them in as it is to redesign the wiring and do a second production run eliminating them. Additionally, in this particular case, Volvo has marketed itself as a "safety-oriented" vehicle and it would be bad marketing to sell a Volvo without them.