Materials Researcher

Job Description

The Role:

As a valued member of GM's Research and Development team, you will play a pivotal role in advancing next-generation lightweighting technologies. You'll drive innovation by proposing new research directions, developing technical plans, and executing experiments to generate critical data and validate novel concepts. Your work will result in high-quality research reports, external publications, and records of invention that capture key insights and technical breakthroughs in your field.

What You Will Do:

• Lead and execute collaborative scientific and engineering research to advance metallic  technologies for vehicle lightweighting
• Drive strategic internal and external partnerships to accelerate innovation and knowledge exchange
• Stay current with state-of-the-art developments in relevant materials science and manufacturing domains
• Deliver high-quality technical reports and presentations to effectively communicate research findings and recommendations
• Develop and protect intellectual property by generating records of invention and patentable concepts
• Support cross-functional teams by contributing technical expertise and helping colleagues achieve project objectives

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

• U.S. Citizenship required pursuant to government contract
• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering with a materials focus, or Chemical Engineering with metallurgical applications
• Strong understanding of structural simulation principles and experience applying computational tools to analyze material behavior
• Experience developing simulation tools for evaluating both performance and manufacturing processes
• Familiarity with metallic processing techniques, including forming, joining, and heat treatment
• Knowledge of metallic testing procedures and hands-on experience with equipment such as mechanical test frames and thermal analysis instruments
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with GM's internal teams and external partners

What Will Give You a Competitive Advantage (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience with advanced numerical methods and fluency in at least one programming language such as Fortran, C++, or Python
• Proven ability to transition products from prototype development to high-volume manufacturing
• Knowledge of key manufacturing processes including casting, stamping, and computed tomography (CT) for material evaluation
• Strong publication record demonstrating impactful research and technical contributions

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 onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis.

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

About GM

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Why Join Us 

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Benefits Overview

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We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

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