Entry-Level – Researcher – Power Electronics & Energy Conversion Systems

GM•Warren, MI

27d•Hybrid

About The Position

The GM Energy and Propulsion Systems Research Lab identifies, invents, develops, and implements propulsion and vehicle-efficiency research and technology. The Power Electronics and Energy Conversion Systems Researcher will join the advanced R&D team to work on propulsion and non-propulsion electrical power conversion, with particular emphasis on inverter and power-converter technologies for export power, uninterruptible AC power, microgrids, energy storage, and other non-automotive applications. The role will also support future electrified-vehicle and defense-related needs. The researcher will apply advanced knowledge of power electronics, energy conversion, controls, and system modeling to identify, develop, prototype, and demonstrate technologies intended to improve efficiency, cost, performance, packaging, reliability, and strategic flexibility. The position is hybrid and is expected to report to Warren, Michigan, at least three times per week. The successful candidate must be a U.S. Person and able to work 40 hours per week. The position is subject to export-control restrictions; GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship.

Requirements

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, or a related discipline, specializing in power electronics, energy conversion, electrical systems, controls, or a closely related field.
Must be graduating between August 2026 and June 2027.
Able to work full time, 40 hours per week.
Must be a U.S. Person: U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee.
Demonstrated research experience in power electronics, inverter or converter systems, energy conversion, or related electrical power systems; recent PhD graduates are encouraged to apply.
Strong foundation in power-electronics circuits, system modeling and simulation, and electrical engineering fundamentals.
Knowledge of digital and analog control systems and ability to program or configure embedded controls.
Hands-on experience developing, instrumenting, and conducting prototype hardware and software experiments.
Ability to analyze and communicate tradeoffs involving efficiency, power density, cost, mass, thermal performance, reliability, EMI/EMC, and system integration.
Familiarity with power-electronics and analysis tools such as PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink, Altium, LTspice, Maxwell 2D/3D/Q3D, JMAG, Ansys, Altair, or comparable tools.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to travel up to 5% domestically.
Must not require GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Research or development experience with three-phase inverters, grid-connected converters, export power, uninterruptible AC power, microgrids, energy-storage systems, or related applications.
Experience with power-conversion systems in the approximate 10 kW to 100+ kW range.
Experience integrating power converters with high-voltage batteries, diesel generator sets, or other distributed-energy sources.
Knowledge of military power-conversion requirements, environmental qualification, EMI/EMC compliance, or ruggedized system design.
Experience with wide-bandgap semiconductors, power modules, high-density packaging, thermal management, reliability, or manufacturability of power electronics.
Experience applying advanced optimization, multiphysics analysis, or AI-enabled methods to electrical, thermal, mechanical, or system-level design.
Experience applying advanced research and technology to automotive, defense, energy, industrial, or other challenging engineering problems.
Publications, patents, records of invention, or demonstrated contributions to research and technology implementation.
Experience collaborating with universities, suppliers, startups, government-sponsored programs, or other external technology organizations.

Responsibilities

Research, invent, design, model, simulate, prototype, test, and demonstrate advanced inverter and power-conversion systems.
Define and assess technical requirements and architectures for three-phase export-power and uninterruptible-AC-power applications spanning 10 kW to more than 100 kW.
Investigate power-conversion architectures that interface with grid connections, energy-storage systems, high-voltage batteries, and generator-fed systems, including systems in which a high-voltage battery is charged by a diesel generator set.
Develop and evaluate high- and low-voltage inverters, DC-DC converters, and related energy-conversion topologies for propulsion and non-propulsion applications.
Investigate internal and external technology options, including GM Energy-related inverter activities, R&D initiatives, energy-storage systems, suppliers, universities, startups, government laboratories, and other strategic partners.
Develop power-electronics solutions addressing efficiency, cost, mass, compact packaging, thermal management, reliability, manufacturability, and customer-facing functionality.
Apply digital and analog controls, embedded software, system modeling, simulation, and optimization techniques to power-conversion systems.
Plan and conduct instrumented bench and system-level experiments to evaluate performance, EMI/EMC behavior, thermal characteristics, reliability, and compliance with applicable military or environmental requirements.
Work with experienced researchers and engineers to translate research concepts into hardware or system-relevant demonstrations.
Collaborate with researchers and engineers across Energy and Propulsion Systems Research, GM Defense, Advanced Engineering, Product Development, GM Energy, and related technical organizations.
Prepare research reports, technical presentations, records of invention, and external publications documenting findings and results.
Lead technical discussions and reviews, communicate complex concepts to varied audiences, and stay current on industry and technology developments.
Support a team-oriented, high-performance research environment.