Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Lab Technician

General Motors•Warren, MI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Technician to support the development, testing, and validation of in-house electronics designs (IHED) and next-generation vehicle technologies. This hands-on role is responsible for test setup, instrumentation, data collection, and execution of mechanical, thermal, and environmental testing of electronic modules and components. The successful candidate will work closely with Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Engineering teams to execute test plans with high quality and repeatability, enabling data-driven engineering decisions and product validation.

Requirements

Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Technology.
5+ years of experience in an engineering, electronics, thermal, or validation lab.
Experience with thermal, environmental, vibration, and shock testing.
Ability to read engineering drawings and test procedures.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
Strong attention to detail, organization, and safety focus.

Nice To Haves

Experience with automotive electronics, PCBs, or electronic control modules.
Hands-on experience with thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, and DAQ systems.
Familiarity with thermal management and validation testing.
Experience in automotive, aerospace, or similar product development environments.
Strong communication, troubleshooting, and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

Prepare and execute mechanical, thermal, and environmental tests on electronic modules, PCBs, and enclosures, including thermal characterization, vibration, mechanical shock, thermal cycling, and thermal shock testing.
Set up fixtures, mounting hardware, and test configurations according to engineering requirements, drawings, and test procedures.
Operate laboratory equipment including environmental chambers, vibration shakers, thermal chambers, wind tunnels, power supplies, and data acquisition systems.
Perform pre-test and post-test functional verification and document test observations, issues, or anomalies.
Install and configure thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, displacement sensors, and other instrumentation.
Route and secure wiring and sensor connections to ensure reliable data collection and test integrity.
Monitor and record temperature, strain, acceleration, and other performance metrics using data acquisition systems.
Support calibration activities and verify instrumentation compliance with laboratory standards and procedures.
Capture, organize, and maintain test data, photographs, setup documentation, and supporting records.
Conduct basic data validation and trend analysis to identify anomalies and summarize findings for engineering teams.
Assist in the creation of standardized test reports by compiling data, observations, and test results.
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment in accordance with GM safety requirements and established 5S practices.
Support equipment maintenance, calibration coordination, troubleshooting, and readiness activities.
Manage inventory of test fixtures, tooling, instrumentation, and consumable materials.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on testing efficiency, documentation quality, and workflow optimization.
Partner with Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Engineers to understand test objectives, requirements, and constraints.
Communicate test progress, risks, and technical issues in a timely manner.
Participate in test planning reviews, readiness assessments, and engineering discussions.