Immelt has held several global leadership positions since coming to GE in 1982, including roles in GE's Plastics, Appliance, and Medical businesses. In 1989 he became an officer of GE and joined the GE Capital Board in 1997. A couple years later, in 2000, he was appointed president and chief executive officer. Barron's twice named Immelt one of the "World's Best CEOs" and since he began serving as chief executive officer, GE was named "America's Most Admired Company" in a poll conducted by FORTUNE magazine and one of "The World's Most Respected Companies" in polls by Barron's and the Financial Times.

Immelt earned a B.A. in Applied Mathematics from Dartmouth College in 1978 and an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1982.