Summer 2027 Intern - Computational Design Intern
About The Position
General Motors Design is seeking a Computational Design Intern to support the development of innovative digital tools, workflows, and automotive design studies within a creative studio environment. This internship offers qualified candidates the opportunity to explore careers at GM while gaining practical experience at the intersection of computational design, digital sculpting, automotive form development, and advanced 3D modeling. The intern will collaborate with Design, Sculpting, and Engineering teams to investigate new ways of generating, evaluating, and refining digital models of future automotive themes. The role provides exposure to aesthetic decision-making, design technology, production methods, program timing, and the materials and processes used in automotive digital development.
Requirements
- Pursuit of a bachelor’s or advanced degree in Computational Design, Industrial Design, Product Design, Transportation Design, Architecture, Animation, Game Design, Computer Science, Fine Arts, Sculpture, Ceramics, or a related field.
- Must be graduating between December 2027 and May 2029.
- Able to work full-time, 40 hours per week during the summer months.
- Strong interest in the relationship between design, technology, geometry, and 3D form development.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a creative, iterative, and feedback-driven studio environment.
- Portfolio demonstrating 3D design, computational design, digital modeling, visual development, or related creative work.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with computational, parametric, procedural, or generative design workflows.
- Experience with software such as Rhino/Grasshopper, Alias, Unigraphics/NX, or comparable 3D platforms.
- Programming or scripting experience in Python, C#, or a similar language.
- Basic understanding of automotive design and sculpting principles, including proportion, line, surface, volume, and reflection quality.
- Experience developing tools, scripts, plug-ins, procedural definitions, or automated modeling workflows.
- Understanding of digital sculpting, polygonal modeling, NURBS modeling, subdivision surfaces, or related 3D techniques.
- Ability to communicate design intent and technical concepts through sketches, diagrams, models, renderings, or presentations.
- Curiosity, initiative, and the ability to learn new software and workflows quickly.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with Design, Sculpting, and Engineering teams to interpret sketches, design intent, and technical requirements.
- Develop digital studies, tools, and model variations for future automotive themes using computational design and digital-sculpting techniques.
- Explore parametric, procedural, generative, and automation-based approaches to support automotive form development and design iteration.
- Build and refine 3D models while maintaining an understanding of proportion, line, surface quality, and visual harmony.
- Translate creative concepts into clear digital workflows, prototypes, visualizations, or production-ready modeling studies.
- Support the development of reusable scripts, definitions, templates, or processes that improve design exploration and studio efficiency.
- Work within established digital modeling standards while helping evaluate emerging technologies and best practices.
- Present project progress, design studies, and finished work for Design leadership during midterm and final reviews.
- Support general computational design and sculpting assignments within the studio environment.
- Document methods, iterations, and results so that workflows can be communicated and reused by the broader team.
Benefits
- GM will provide a one-time lump sum taxable stipend payment to eligible students selected for the 2027 Student Program.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
