Thermal Execution Virtual Design Development & Validation Engineer - Front End Airflow and Calibration Support

General Motors•Warren, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features. Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.. The Role The Thermal Execution Virtual Design Development Validation (VDDV) team uses advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to drive vehicle development for both Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) products. The team leads integrated Front End Airflow (FEAF) solutions, underhood/underbody thermal protection strategies, and is expanding capabilities in transient simulation and virtual validation. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team operating on the front edge of GM’s virtual development transformation. As a Thermal Execution VDDV Engineer – FEAF & Calibration Support, you will build, run, and interpret results from front-end airflow models. You will also partner directly with the Airflow Calibration team to develop virtual calibration processes and deliver simulation-based data required for FEAF calibration milestones. This role is central to enabling fully virtual calibration workflows that reduce physical testing and improve development efficiency. You will operate within a multi-disciplinary team performing thermal and fluid flow simulations that influence vehicle architecture, propulsion design, and overall thermal performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (Thermal Sciences emphasis) or Aerospace Engineering required
5+ years of experience in thermal and fluid flow engineering or related Sciences
Hands-on experience with CFD and heat transfer simulation tools such as STAR-CCM+
Experience with CAD tools such as Teamcenter and UG-NX
Strong engineering knowledge in heat transfer and fluid flow
Understanding of calibrations and controls
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively across functional teams
GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc).
This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week or other frequency dictated by their manager}

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Thermal Sciences emphasis) or Aerospace Engineering preferred
Experience in thermal development or automotive system design and release, especially thermal-focused
Advanced experience in propulsion cooling or airflow development
Experience as a controls engineer

Responsibilities

Perform vehicle-level CFD simulations to evaluate front-end airflow and thermal performance
Execute propulsion-focused CFD simulations under various load cases to guide propulsion system and component design
Develop CFD simulations for new programs based on propulsion/vehicle content and performance objectives
Drive simulation efficiency and innovation for future vehicle and propulsion programs
Collaborate with Propulsion PMTs, Thermal/HVAC Engineering, Aero Performance, Studio, and Design Release Engineers to communicate results and make design recommendations
Partner with FEAF Calibration teams to develop virtual calibration processes and procedures
Provide data packages required to support FEAF calibration milestones
Participate in Thermal Development Performance Integration Team (PIT) meetings
Use CIT and PDT forums to resolve issues when necessary
Engage with test engineers in the Climatic Wind Tunnel, Aerodynamics Tunnel, and Proving Grounds to correlate models with physical testing and refine analytical methods
Travel as required