Aerodynamics Engineer/Senior Engineer

General Motors•Warren, MI

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

GM is seeking an Aerodynamics Engineer or Senior Engineer to support or lead development of optimized vehicle aerodynamic performance and front-end airflow solutions. These solutions enable fuel economy, range, ride and handling, energy efficiency, and lap-time objectives. The role works cross-functionally with Design Studio, SMT, Program Teams, Engineering, and Manufacturing to develop cost-effective solutions that balance aerodynamic performance with thermal requirements, brake cooling, wind noise, vehicle dynamics, and the Studio theme. The position conducts physical and virtual aerodynamic and front-end airflow assessments using full-scale wind-tunnel facilities, computational fluid dynamics, and supporting engineering tools. The level—Engineer or Senior Engineer—will be determined according to the selected candidate’s qualifications, skills, and experience. This role is hybrid, with the selected candidate expected to report to a specific location at least three times per week or at another frequency set by their manager. Travel is less than 25%. The position is not eligible for relocation benefits. At the Engineer level, the role executes analyses, simulations, and tests with increasing independence; supports development of aerodynamic requirements, enablers, and thermal architectural solutions; analyzes technical issues and recommends physics-based solutions; coordinates assigned activities; and builds technical depth in vehicle aerodynamics, CFD, wind-tunnel testing, front-end airflow, thermal integration, and vehicle development. At the Senior Engineer level, the role defines aerodynamic performance requirements and program strategy; leads thermal architectural solutions and integration of aerodynamic, airflow, brake-cooling, thermal, wind-noise, and vehicle-dynamics requirements; organizes complex simulations and testing; leads cross-functional work; and mentors less-experienced team members. The Senior Engineer also influences engineering processes and program decisions through simulation and test results.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering with a fluid-dynamics focus, or an equivalent degree.
At least 2 years of professional experience with vehicle development/engineering for the Engineer level; at least 5 years for the Senior Engineer level.
Strong analytical ability to resolve complex engineering issues.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, SMT, and Program Team members.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering with a fluid-dynamics focus, or an equivalent degree.
Experience with or demonstrated proficiency in aerodynamic and front-end airflow CFD/CAD tools.
Experience with or demonstrated proficiency in aerodynamic and wind-tunnel testing, measurement techniques, and data systems.
Experience with performance-car and/or motorsports programs.
Background in CFD methodology and applications.
Experience with commercial CFD solvers such as FLUENT, STAR-CCM+, and POWERFLOW/EXA-POWERFLOW.
Experience with mesh-generation tools such as ANSA or HYPERWORKS.
Experience with CAD or engineering software such as UG-NX, Alias, or Polyworks.
DFSS training or Black Belt certification.
Engineering experience in body release, powertrain cooling, energy integration, or related vehicle engineering functions.
Prior design-release or vehicle-development experience related to aerodynamics.

Responsibilities

Support or lead aerodynamic enabler development to meet vehicle aerodynamic, energy, vehicle-dynamics, and lap-time requirements.
Support or develop thermal architectural solutions for front-end airflow, propulsion cooling, and air-conditioning performance.
Integrate and balance aerodynamic and front-end airflow performance with brake cooling, thermal performance, wind noise, and vehicle dynamics.
Perform or lead virtual aerodynamic and front-end airflow simulations using commercial CFD codes and supporting software in Windows, Linux/UNIX, and HPC environments.
Use engineering tools such as ANSA, STAR-CCM+, POWERFLOW/EXA-POWERFLOW, FLUENT, HYPERWORKS, and internal codes as appropriate.
Support or lead aerodynamic and front-end airflow development testing at the GM Kelly Aerodynamics Lab and offsite facilities.
Collaborate with Design Studio, SMT, Program Teams, Engineering, and Manufacturing to integrate features throughout vehicle development.
Participate in vehicle development and use simulation and test results to guide design decisions.
Communicate results, risks, recommendations, and development plans during standard reviews, peer reviews, program meetings, and gate reviews.
Support or lead final validation and certification of vehicle aerodynamic performance.
Support wind-noise, coast-down, track, and other vehicle-performance testing as required.
Benchmark competitive vehicles and apply relevant findings to program development.
Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable engineering environment.
At Engineer level, execute analyses, simulations, and tests with increasing independence; coordinate assigned activities; document and communicate results; and demonstrate ownership of assigned deliverables.
At Senior Engineer level, define program aerodynamic requirements and content strategy; lead simulations, physical testing, and cross-functional development; mentor less-experienced team members; and influence processes, tools, techniques, and behaviors.