Research and Development Intern - Energy and Propulsion Systems Architecture

Job Description

The Role:

As a 2027 Summer Intern on the Energy and Propulsion Systems Architecture team, you will work with researchers and engineers to evaluate how energy storage and propulsion systems work together at the vehicle level. You will contribute to architecture studies, simulation and analysis activities, and laboratory testing that help inform the design and development of future electrified propulsion systems.

This role offers hands-on exposure to the connection between battery cells, modules and packs, electric propulsion components, power electronics, controls, thermal systems, and vehicle performance. You will apply engineering fundamentals, data analysis, and systems thinking to turn test and simulation results into clear technical insights.

The Team:

The Research and Development organization explores and evaluates technologies that can improve vehicle energy efficiency, propulsion performance, durability, range, and customer experience. The Energy and Propulsion Systems Architecture team connects research, modeling, simulation, and laboratory experimentation to understand system-level behavior and guide architecture decisions.

You will work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment with researchers and engineers across battery, propulsion, controls, thermal management, modeling, and vehicle development. The team values sound engineering judgment, careful experimentation, clear documentation, and the ability to communicate technical findings to both specialists and broader project teams.

What You’ll Do:

• Support energy and propulsion systems architecture studies, including the evaluation of battery, electric machine, drive unit, power electronics, controls, and thermal-system interactions.
• Develop, run, and interpret vehicle-level propulsion and energy simulations across representative operating conditions and drive cycles.
• Analyze energy consumption, performance, power capability, operating limits, state-of-charge behavior, and other system-level measures to identify trends and architecture tradeoffs.
• Assist with cell, module, and battery-pack testing by helping prepare test activities, configure equipment or data acquisition, collect data, and maintain organized test records.
• Support laboratory work related to battery characterization, pack performance, durability, modeling, and analysis while following applicable laboratory safety and handling practices.
• Compare experimental results with model predictions, investigate differences, and help improve model assumptions, inputs, or analysis methods.
• Clean, process, visualize, and interpret test and simulation data; summarize results using clear plots, tables, and written technical explanations.
• Create or update system block diagrams, interface descriptions, requirements documentation, analysis scripts, test summaries, and technical presentations.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to define questions, document assumptions, review results, and recommend next steps.
• Present technical findings in team discussions and incorporate feedback into follow-on analyses.

Required Qualifications:

• Pursuit of an advanced degree (MS or Phd) in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, automotive engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Able to work fulltime, 40 hours per week during the summer months.
• Must be willing to work in a laboratory and engineering test environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework, research, or project experience in battery systems, electrochemistry, energy storage, electric propulsion, power electronics, controls, thermal systems, vehicle dynamics, or systems engineering.
• Experience with engineering modeling, simulation, or data analysis using MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Excel, or comparable tools.
• Experience processing time-series data and communicating technical results through plots, reports, or presentations.
• Laboratory, test, or instrumentation experience, including an understanding of experimental design, measurement quality, and safe work practices.
• Ability to organize technical work, manage multiple priorities, and work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from both successful and unsuccessful experiments.

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.)

Work Arrangement:

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Michigan office three times per week, at minimum [or other frequency dictated by the business].

Start dates for this internship role are May 24th & June 14th of 2027.







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