VDDV Technical Specialist – Vehicle Thermal Management 3D & Front-End Airflow

General Motors • Warren, MI

5d • 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.

Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren, MI three times per week, at minimum.

The Role
The VDDV Technical Specialist – Vehicle Thermal Management 3D (MTM3D) & Front-End Airflow (FEAF) is the global technical authority for integrated FEAF and under‑hood/under‑body thermal CFD within Virtual Design, Development & Validation (VDDV). This lead sets the technical strategy, methods, and standard work for FEAF and VTM3D, drives the roadmap toward 100% virtual thermal development, and ensures that VDDV delivers high‑fidelity, high‑value simulation to support program decisions, calibration, and validation. This is an individual contributor Technical Specialist role with broad global influence and accountability, not a direct people leader role. You will operate and lead at the intersection of Thermal Development, Aerodynamics, Energy, Propulsion, Calibration, AVD, and Studio, and are accountable for the technical sufficiency, consistency, and scalability of FEAF and VTM3D methods and results across regions. Success requires deep technical expertise in thermal/CFD, strong systems thinking, and demonstrated capability to influence cross‑functional leaders and grow the skills of the broader engineering community.

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline with strong emphasis on thermal sciences and fluid mechanics
• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience, with substantial time in CAE/CFD-based thermal and/or airflow development.
• Demonstrated lead‑role experience in airflow and/or thermal simulations (EV and/or ICE).
• Proven track record of virtual development leadership (methods, correlation, process definition) beyond single‑program execution.
• Deep, hands‑on expertise with CFD tools (e.g., STAR‑CCM+ or equivalent) and CAD/PLM (e.g., Teamcenter, NX, Vis‑Mockup) for complex vehicle models.
• Strong understanding of thermal systems, air handling, cooling circuits, and energy flows (e.g., radiators, CAC, e‑motors/inverters, batteries, driveline components, exhaust).
• Working knowledge of 1D system tools and 1D/3D coupling (e.g., GT‑SUITE) and the role of FEAF/VTM3D in controls/calibration and SIL/HIL workflows.
• Familiarity with program GVDP/GVDP‑like processes, VTS/SSTS/CTS, and key thermal/FEAF‑related GMWs
• Demonstrated Technical Specialist‑level behaviors: Recognized subject‑matter expert who is regularly sought out across organizations.
• Proven ability to define strategy and roadmap, not just execute tasks.
• Strong teaching/coaching track record (focus groups, training, mentoring).
• Able to build and run simulations.
• High quality written and verbal communication, including VP‑level forums.
• Ability to lead without direct authority, aligning cross‑functional teams and external partners around common methods and decisions.
• Proficiency with Python or similar scripting for automation of CAE workflows.
• Comfortable working with data / analytics (e.g., building and mining performance databases, using dashboards).
• Experience with DFSS / structured problem solving and correlation of virtual to physical test.
• Occasional travel may be required to proving grounds, test labs, or external partners for correlation, benchmarking, and technical collaboration.

Nice To Haves

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Thermal/Fluids, CFD, or related discipline.
• Prior experience as a VDDV Technical Specialist, global focus group chair, or equivalent technical leadership role.
• Direct experience with: FEAF/ROAT virtual development and correlation Driveline thermal, cabin electronics/sensor farm, or CIST modeling AI/ML applications in CAE (surrogates, prediction, optimization)
• Demonstrated impact reducing development time, CPU cost, and/or physical test scope through virtual methods.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the global technical vision and roadmap for FEAF and VTM3D VDDV in support of GM’s virtual development and validation strategy (e.g., 100% virtual FEAF and thermal compliance for key GMWs / VTS).
• Own and evolve the FEAF/VTM3D methods portfolio (steady/transient CFD, hot FEAF, ROAT, leakage, recirculation, driveline thermal, cabin electronics/UH/UB, CIST support, etc.), including 1D/3D coupling with VTM1D and other plant models.
• Lead identification and deployment of new capabilities (e.g., transient full‑vehicle thermal, GPU acceleration, FSI for shutters, AI/ML‑assisted estimators and design tools).
• Partner with Thermal VPO, FEAF Systems Owner, VTM1D TS, Aero TS, S&S, and Energy to ensure FEAF/VTM3D capabilities and deliverables align with VTS/SSTS/CTS, regulatory requirements, and business priorities.
• Own FEAF/VTM3D standard work, procedures, best practices, and checklists and ensure they are current, harmonized, and applied globally.
• Define minimum method standards for each GVDP gate (PFI, DSI, VPI, VDR/VDC, etc.) including load cases, mesh/physics requirements, boundary conditions, validation approach, and documentation.
• Establish, sponsor, contribute and review DFSS / Tech Sufficiency projects that improve accuracy, robustness, and efficiency of FEAF/VTM3D models (e.g., correlation vs. CWT/Yuma/natural environment, material models, BCs, etc.).
• Serve as the top‑level FEAF/VTM3D technical reference for all programs, supporting EGMs, LDEs, VPOs, and Performance Integration in trade‑off decisions (FEAF vs Aero, packaging, styling, cost, energy, etc.).
• Provide direct technical leadership on the most critical or complex issues (e.g., MEO launch concerns, ROAT shortfalls, fuel system thermal integrity, driveline thermal, cabin electronics, DCFC hot‑soak, off‑road duty cycles).
• Lead or support pre‑ and post‑launch investigations where FEAF/VTM3D plays a key role, including issue framing, analytic plan definition, root‑cause analysis, and recommendation of design/calibration/controls changes.
• Ensure FEAF/VTM3D content in peer reviews, PITs, VAPIR/VVA, LADV, and VPIT meetings is technically sound, risk‑based, and framed for decision‑making.
• Act as the “Tech Specialist – FEAF/VTM3D VDDV” owner for all related performance requirements, deliverables, and peer reviews, working closely with: VPO FEAF / VPO Thermal / VPO PTC Systems Owner FEAF, Systems Owner BEVHeat Aero Program teams and Aero TS/CFD TS Thermal LDEs, AVD Thermal Architect, Energy/VTM1D, Driveline VDDV Studio, DREs (baffles, CRFM, fascia, grille, shutter, OAT, sensors, etc.) and Program Release
• Align FEAF/VTM3D work with controls and calibration needs (e.g., fan/shutter calibration, DCFC behavior, CIST, thermal SIL inputs), coordinating closely with Software & Services and Calibration teams.
• Shape and drive balanced criteria/requirements across FEAF, Aero, N&V, Brake, Thermal, and Studio, emphasizing early‑phase “power of subtraction” and avoiding late‑cycle rework.
• Lead or co‑lead FEAF/VTM3D innovation initiatives, including: Automation of model build, meshing, BC setup, and reporting (AAW successors, template‑based workflows, TcViz/ANSA/STAR integration). AI/ML‑based tools for early FEAF prediction, grille design synthesis, temperature estimators, automatic result screening, and TKV/geometry checks. Development and use of performance databases (FEAF, VTM3D, ROAT, component temperatures) to drive synthesis, benchmarking, and requirements refinement.
• Evaluate and influence CFD/CAE vendor roadmaps (e.g., STAR‑CCM+, PreonLab, optimization tools) and pilot emerging methods with appropriate rigor.
• Chair or co‑chair the Global FEAF/VTM3D Focus Group, setting agenda, sharing best practices, and driving closure of lessons learned and MEO actions.
• Develop and maintain Degreed / LMS learning pathways, bootcamps, and office hours for FEAF/VTM3D methods (including global regions).
• Mentor VDDV engineers (all levels) and emerging technical leaders, with emphasis on: Thermal/CFD fundamentals and good engineering judgment Model construction, debugging and root‑cause skills Effective communication of simulation results to non‑CAE stakeholders
• Represent FEAF/VTM3D VDDV in internal and external technical forums (e.g., focus groups, conferences, vendor events, technical councils).

Benefits

• From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

What This Job Offers

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