Motorsports CFD Surface Design Engineer

General Motors • Concord, NC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

At GM Motorsports, the CFD Surface Design Engineer leads the development, maintenance, and automation of complex CAD assemblies used for high-fidelity aerodynamic simulations. The role uses advanced CAD and scripting tools to produce robust, parametric, simulation-ready geometry that supports rapid design iteration within GM’s Aerodynamics Group.

The engineer works closely with CFD engineers to enable efficient mesh generation, reduce model-preparation time, and improve consistency across full-vehicle and subsystem CFD studies. By integrating automated processes and scalable design practices, the role improves simulation reliability and throughput.

The position also partners with cross-functional GM Motorsports teams and external partners to align CAD strategies with CFD simulations, wind-tunnel testing, and on-track implementation. Its work supports faster, more accurate design decisions and translates design ideas into high-fidelity CAD to improve vehicle performance. The role may be filled at the CFD Surface Design Engineer or Senior CFD Surface Design Engineer level, depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, skills, and experience. It is hybrid, with the selected candidate expected to report to a specific location at least three times per week or at another frequency determined by their manager. Travel is required less than 25%; relocation benefits are available to candidates who qualify under company policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• For the CFD Surface Design Engineer level: at least 2 years of experience in CAD surfacing, aerodynamic development, CFD support, or a related engineering field.
• For the Senior CFD Surface Design Engineer level: at least 6 years of progressive experience in CAD surfacing, aerodynamic development, CFD support, or a related engineering field.
• Working proficiency in Siemens NX, CATIA, or equivalent CAD surfacing software, with experience developing or refining geometry for CFD or simulation-driven workflows; advanced proficiency and demonstrated experience with complex CAD assemblies are required for the senior level.
• Understanding of how CAD geometry affects meshing, solver stability, convergence, and aerodynamic accuracy, including basic G0, G1, and G2 continuity knowledge; deep understanding and the ability to deliver high-quality, watertight geometry independently are required for the senior level.
• Ability to create and maintain accurate, watertight, simulation-ready geometry and clean up imported or legacy CAD models with appropriate guidance.
• Familiarity with surface-interrogation methods, parametric modeling, design intent, and CAD automation concepts.
• Ability to identify and resolve routine geometry, topology, and model-integrity issues while maintaining accurate and organized CAD data; senior candidates must be able to resolve complex issues independently.
• Effective communication, collaboration, and prioritization skills when working with CAD, CFD, aerodynamics, and vehicle engineering teams.
• Senior candidates should demonstrate strong attention to detail, accuracy, configuration control, and CAD-data organization, and be able to provide technical guidance, review geometry, and mentor less-experienced designers or engineers.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in motorsports, automotive, or aerospace environments.
• Experience reconstructing or refining legacy, scanned, or imported geometry.
• Experience building automation into CAD assemblies to streamline updates, improve repeatability, and reduce manual effort across simulation workflows.
• Familiarity with surface-interrogation tools such as zebra stripes, curvature combs, and reflection analysis.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical-thinking skills.
• Passion for motorsports and understanding of vehicle performance engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain clean, simulation-ready CAD geometry for CFD workflows across multiple platforms.
• Build and refine high-quality surface models with appropriate continuity for accurate aerodynamic analysis.
• Organize and manage CAD assemblies with clear structure, naming conventions, and version control for efficient CFD use.
• Use parametric design and automation features to enable rapid updates, configuration changes, and repeatable CFD workflows.
• Reconstruct and refine legacy, imported, scanned, or point-cloud geometry to meet internal CFD and aerodynamic standards.
• Optimize models for usability so they are easy to modify, update, and reuse across simulation studies.
• Identify and resolve geometry issues that negatively affect mesh quality, solver stability, or convergence.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate design intent into efficient, simulation-ready models and support iterative development cycles.

Benefits

• Relocation benefits are available for candidates who qualify under company policy.
• GM states that it supports employee well-being at work and at home and provides Total Rewards resources; specific benefits are not listed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level