Kristy Rasbach

Mrs Kristy D Rasbach

Chief Engineer - Autonomous Vehicles, General Motors

Chief Engineer - Autonomous Vehicles| General Motors

What I Do

I lead the autonomous vehicle engineering team at General Motors. We are working to bring GM's first autonomous vehicles to market. This involves integration of all the autonomous technology like sensors and the computer in the vehicle. Since autonomous vehicles don't have drivers, we also engineer redundant, or back-up, systems for all the critical systems in the vehicle like steering and braking.
Why Engineering?

I chose engineering because I knew I would not be limited in my career if I earned an engineering degree. I love math and science, so studying engineering seemed like a natural fit. I also have a passion for automobiles, so I combined my passion with my degrees to create a rewarding career at General Motors.
School Days

I graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. I also graduated from Purdue University with a Master's Degree in Engineering with a concentration in Automotive Engineering.
My Day At Work

I spent the early years in my career designing and releasing automotive chassis components. This involved working with suppliers, traveling to their facilities, and also traveling to GM assembly plants. More recently, I led the team of engineers that developed the 2017 Chevrolet Volt. This was my most challenging assignment where I needed to integrate a full vehicle and lead other engineers that didn't work directly for me. That assignment prepared me well for the role that I have now, which is a Chief Engineer. At GM, the Chief Engineer is the lead technical engineering voice and decision maker for a specific vehicle(s). I partner with Cruise Automation, who is responsible for the autonomous driving software in the vehicle.
Best Part

I like solving problems and helping people.
Proud Moments

The nationwide launch of the 2017 Chevrolet Volt. Watching the first vehicle come off the end of the assembly line is a feeling I'll never forgot! It was a lot of hard work that led up to that point.
Challenges

I have successfully integrated my family life and my career to make sure that both are fulfilling. I have also succeeded in areas that are very underrepresented by women.
My Family

I have been married for 17 years and I have three children: two girls and one boy. My husband is also an engineer.
Dreams and Goals

My goal is to bring GM's first autonomous vehicle to market. I dream of one day serving on a Board of Directors. No matter what role I'm in, I hope to lift up other women and inspire them to pursue meaningful careers.
Inspiration

Early on, my father was instrumental in encouraging me to pursue engineering. In high school, he convinced me to try courses like Basic Engineering (drafting) and Basic Automotive that were not traditional course selections for young women in the 1990's.

My mother has always been my biggest cheerleader, and unfortunately she passed away in 2019, just as I was beginning my role as Chief Engineer of Autonomous Vehicles. She became an amputee in 2010, which was a significant challenge for her. It changed her life in many ways, and I witnessed first hand what it is like for a person to adjust to having a disability. I recognize the potential of autonomous vehicles to provide access to transportation for people with disabilities. Even in her death, my mother inspires me to be the first to bring autonomous technology to market due to the positive impact it can have on society. I know she would be proud of me.
Want to be an Engineer?

Do it! It is not the easiest path, but it is incredibly rewarding. You will endure some adversity, but never give up.
Hobbies

When I'm not at work, I'm spending time with my family. You can usually find me driving my kids to their activities, helping them with their homework, or attending their games/events. I enjoy getting regular exercise and I fit it in very early in the morning at 5 am! I love to travel. Mackinac Island, Michigan is my favorite place to visit and I have been there many times in my life, beginning in childhood. In 2017, my husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary in Greece. Our kids love cruising, particularly Disney cruises! We are planning a family trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in 2019.

Kristy Rasbach began her engineering career as a co-op student at General Motors in 1995 at 17 years of age. A third generation General Motors employee, Kristy’s grandfather and father both retired from the company. After four years rotating through various engineering roles, Rasbach was hired by the company full-time as a Chassis Validation Engineer. In 2005, Rasbach became a GM Steering Lead Engineer, where she led the implementation of Cadillac’s first premium steering system. Throughout the next few years, she oversaw the engineering of Cadillac suspension systems, government programs in specialty vehicle activity, and global steering systems quality, where she led a 50% reduction in North American steering system warranties in one year. In 2013, Rasbach was named Engineering Business Manager for Global Advanced Vehicle Development and Computer Aided Engineering. In 2015, she was named Program Engineering Manager of Electrified Vehicles, where she led the nationwide launch of the 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The Volt developed her passion for electrification which, as a mechanical engineer, was something she did not anticipate earlier in her career. Two years later, Rasbach became Engineering Group Manager for the Vehicle Dynamics Center of Expertise at the Milford Proving Ground, where she was responsible for developing strategy and best practices for road to lab to math. In 2019, she was named Chief Engineer for Autonomous Vehicles, leading the execution of GM’s first autonomous vehicles. In addition to her extensive engineering career, Rasbach is a passionate advocate for recruiting young women into STEM careers and presently volunteers in Scouts BSA. In 2004 and 2012, Rasbach served as the chairwoman of GM’s annual chassis charity event for Lighthouse PATH, an Oakland County shelter designed to assist women and children with job training, education and soft skills. In 2009, she was, along with the chassis planning team, awarded the Lighthouse PATH “Beacon Award” for her efforts. Rasbach earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1999 and a Master of Science in Engineering from Purdue University in 2004. She is originally from Clarkston, Michigan and currently lives in Lake Orion with her husband and three children.