Virtual Propulsion Engineer

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. Senior CAE Engineer Role Overview As the Senior CAE Engineer, you will be a key technical leader responsible for developing, enhancing, and deploying advanced Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) capabilities to support product development. You will partner closely with cross-functional engineering teams to virtually evaluate designs, identify risks early, and drive data-based decisions that improve product performance, quality, and time-to-market.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Significant hands-on experience with FEA-based CAE tools (e.g., ANSA, HyperMesh, Nastran, Abaqus, OptiStruct, or equivalent).
• Proven experience building and executing FEA models from CAD solid models, including meshing, boundary condition setup, and results interpretation.
• Strong understanding of mechanics, materials, and structural analysis fundamentals.
• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and translate simulation results into clear design recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information in a clear and actionable way.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience supporting product development teams on full lifecycle programs (concept through launch).
• Familiarity with optimization, DOE, and automation of CAE workflows.
• Experience correlating CAE results with physical test data and refining models accordingly.
• Prior experience mentoring or leading other engineers in a CAE-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead CAE capability development Own the creation, enhancement, and deployment of new CAE methodologies, tools, and best practices to support evolving product and performance requirements. Identify gaps in current analysis capabilities and drive continuous improvement initiatives to close them.
• Execute analysis for product development programs Participate as the CAE lead on new, major, and minor product design programs, providing analysis-based insights to support concept selection, design trade-offs, and design validation. Plan and execute simulation activities to assess structural performance, durability, stiffness, strength, or other performance attributes as required by the program.
• Modeling and simulation Build high-quality Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models from CAD solid models, including geometry cleanup, meshing, material assignment, boundary conditions, and load case definition. Ensure models are robust, repeatable, and scalable for design iterations and design-of-experiments (DOE) studies.
• Correlation, problem solving, and root cause analysis Develop and apply methods for root cause analysis, failure investigation, and performance optimization using CAE results, physical test data, and field feedback. Correlate analytical results with test outcomes to improve model fidelity and build confidence in simulation-based decision making.
• Technical leadership and collaboration Serve as a subject matter expert, mentoring junior engineers on CAE methods, tools, and best practices. Collaborate with design, test, manufacturing, and supplier teams to ensure CAE insights are integrated into design requirements and hardware decisions. Communicate complex analysis results in a clear, concise manner to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Documentation and standards Create and maintain documentation for analysis methods, workflows, and templates to ensure consistency and reusability. Contribute to the development and enforcement of CAE standards, guidelines, and quality checks across programs.

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: Mid Level