General Motors

CAE Methods Technical Specialist - Structures & Fatigue

General Motors • $100K — $130K *
Warren, MI 48089Hybrid
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
2 days ago
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
  • 10+ years of industry experience in structures, durability, fatigue, or fracture development.
  • Expert knowledge of structural CAE theory and tools like Abaqus, Nastran, and fe-safe.
  • Proven ability to improve engineering methods and translate technical concepts into practical applications.
  • Strong capability to lead cross-functional projects and influence decisions without formal authority.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert for CAE methods related to structures and fatigue.
  • Define the technical vision and roadmap for next-generation CAE methods at GM.
  • Develop and deploy new simulation methods for structural and fatigue analysis.
  • Lead high-visibility technical initiatives across various engineering disciplines.
  • Drive innovation in advanced durability and fracture technologies.

Benefits

  • Eligible for relocation benefits.
  • Hybrid work model requiring in-office presence at least 3 times a week.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Role

The CAE Methods Technical Specialist - Structures & Fatigue is responsible for defining, advancing, and industrializing world-class virtual engineering methods for structural durability, fatigue, fracture, and manufacturing-induced performance variation across vehicle, propulsion, and subsystem applications. This position serves as a recognized technical expert who applies highly specialized CAE knowledge, broad practical experience, and strong business acumen to solve complex engineering problems that directly influence functional strategy, simulation capability, and product execution. This role works independently with broad latitude in decisions and actions in a complex environment. The Technical Specialist is expected to develop new or significantly improved methods, workflows, and systems; lead large, visible technical initiatives; influence cross-functional and external stakeholders; and deliver measurable business impact through stronger predictive capability, reduced hardware dependence, faster learning cycles, and improved product robustness. This is the top individual contributor track for the function and is intended for a professional who leads through deep technical expertise, originality, conceptual thinking, and enterprise influence rather than through direct people management. The role may serve as an indirect leader and mentor across the organization by setting technical direction, establishing best practices, and raising the standard of engineering execution.

What You'll Do
  • Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert for CAE methods in structures and fatigue, with recognized expertise spanning durability, fracture, manufacturing effects, material behavior, and system-level structural performance simulation.
  • Define the technical vision and roadmap for next-generation CAE methods that strengthen GM's virtual engineering capability and align with business priorities for quality, cost, timing, and hardware reduction.
  • Develop, validate, and deploy new or significantly improved simulation methods, policies, standards, and workflows for structural and fatigue analysis across vehicle and propulsion development programs.
  • Lead complex, high-visibility capability development initiatives that require originality, conceptual thinking, and integration across multiple engineering disciplines, organizations, and external partners.
  • Apply independent judgment to identify, analyze, and resolve broad and complex technical issues that influence functional objectives, including issues with incomplete data, competing priorities, and significant downstream implications.
  • Drive innovation in advanced durability and fracture technologies, including but not limited to crack initiation and propagation, critical distance methods, multi-axial fatigue, combined LCF/HCF damage, creep, environmental effects, and manufacturing-driven performance variation.
  • Translate emerging theory, software capability, test evidence, and competitive benchmarking into practical engineering methods that improve predictive accuracy, robustness, and development efficiency.
  • Lead cross-functional Road-Lab-Math activities and related focus group initiatives to connect simulation, test, design, manufacturing, and product development teams around common technical objectives and validated engineering decisions.
  • Establish validation strategies and coordinate with testing and laboratory teams to ensure that developed methods are grounded in physical behavior, statistically sound, and suitable for scalable program application.
  • Guide the resolution of critical product issues by assessing variation, identifying root causes, defining high-confidence simulation approaches, and influencing optimized design or process decisions.
  • Partner with software suppliers, external experts, consortia, and peer organizations to shape tool development in areas that matter most to GM and to benchmark GM methods against industry-leading practice.
  • Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentorship to engineers adopting new methods, and raise organizational capability through training, peer reviews, best-practice documentation, and consultative support.
  • Influence stakeholders across functions and levels, including situations where differing opinions, legacy practices, or organizational inertia may constrain adoption of new ideas, methods, or approaches.
  • Set objectives and success metrics for major technical initiatives and drive measurable outcomes tied to simulation accuracy, process efficiency, engineering quality, and execution of functional strategy.
  • Leverage a broad internal network of technical specialists and domain experts to close workflow gaps, integrate subsystem learnings, and enable end-to-end virtual development solutions.
  • Continuously assess technology trends, competitor methods, and evolving business needs, and proactively reposition priorities, experiments, and implementation plans to maintain GM leadership in CAE methods.


Scope & Impact
  • The role delivers measurable contributions to functional outcomes by improving the fidelity, efficiency, scalability, and business relevance of structural and fatigue simulation methods.
  • Decisions made in this role influence multiple departments and functions, including CAE, design, validation, manufacturing, materials, and supplier engagement, and may affect both current product issue resolution and long-term capability strategy.
  • The role leads large technical projects with broad visibility and coordinates internal and external stakeholders to implement solutions that support GM strategic priorities.
  • The role acts as an indirect leader within the function by setting technical expectations, championing change, and serving as a trusted resource for complex engineering decisions.


Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related field.
  • 10+ years of industry experience, including significant experience in structures, durability, fatigue, or fracture methods development.
  • Extensive industry experience in virtual engineering, structural analysis, and CAE methods development, with substantial depth in fatigue, fracture, and durability simulation.
  • Expert knowledge of structural CAE theory, methods, and tools, such as Abaqus, HyperMesh, SimLab, Nastran, fe-safe, nCode, Verity, Simufact, TFAT, or equivalent platforms relevant to structural durability and manufacturing effects.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop or significantly improve engineering methods, workflows, standards, or systems and to translate advanced technical concepts into practical enterprise applications.
  • Proven record of solving complex technical problems through independent judgment, conceptual thinking, and wide application of engineering principles, theories, and experience.
  • Strong capability to lead large cross-functional technical initiatives and influence decisions without formal organizational authority.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical issues, recommendations, and trade-offs clearly across different disciplines and levels of the organization.
  • Experience working with testing and validation organizations to correlate analysis methods with physical evidence and establish robust engineering confidence.
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor and elevate other engineers through technical coaching, peer review, and knowledge transfer.
  • Strong business acumen and understanding of how simulation methods influence program execution, risk reduction, investment efficiency, and customer outcomes.
  • Recognition by peers and stakeholders as a technical leader and trusted expert in the field.
  • Demonstrated alignment with GM Behaviors, including integrity, customer focus, innovation, urgency, inclusion, collaboration, and ownership of outcomes.


What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
  • Deep expertise in manufacturing effects on structural performance, including weld behavior, residual stress, material/process variation, and durability implications.
  • Experience influencing commercial CAE software roadmaps or co-developing advanced methods with software suppliers and research partners.
  • DFSS Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.
  • Track record of leading enterprise-level technical transformations, standards deployment, or capability industrialization efforts with measurable business results.
  • External technical visibility through patents, publications, standards work, conference leadership, or recognized industry collaboration.
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}.This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis and successfully complete a Motor Vehicle Report review.

About General Motors

General Motors Company engages in the manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. It offers sedans, crossovers, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, coupes, sports/convertibles and hybrid vehicles, hatchbacks/wagons, and vans, as well as mini cars in India. The company also provides parts and accessories, such as iPod and MP3 compatibility, mobility accessories, performance parts, AC parts and services, and merchandise. In addition, it offers vehicle safety, security, and information services. The company provides used vehicles. It offers its products through dealers and distributors. General Motors Company was formerly known as NGMCO, Inc. and changed its name to General Motors Company in July 2009. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. It operates manufacturing facilities in India, the United States, and Canada. General Motors Company operates as a subsidiary of the United States Department of The Treasury. General Motors led global vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years from 1931 through 2007, longer than any other automaker, and is currently among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales. General Motors acts in most countries outside the USA via wholly-owned subsidiaries but operates in China through 10 joint ventures. GM's OnStar subsidiary provides vehicle safety, security, and information services. In 2009, General Motors shed several brands, closing Saturn, Pontiac, and Hummer, and emerged from a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization. In 2010, GM made an initial public offering IPOs to date and returned to profitability later that year.

General Motors Careers

Join the dynamic team at General Motors, a global leader in automotive innovation and technology. At General Motors, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career forward while contributing to a legacy of engineering excellence.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career with General Motors to drive the future of mobility. Our team is dedicated to redefining the automotive landscape through innovation and leadership in electric vehicles and sustainable solutions. By joining us, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, teamwork, and continuous professional growth.

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At General Motors, innovation is at the core of everything we do. From research and development to manufacturing, our teams work collaboratively to lead the industry with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. We encourage our employees to think big and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Join Our Global Team

As part of our global workforce, you will collaborate with talented individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of transportation. General Motors offers a variety of career paths in engineering, design, IT, marketing, and more. With over 155,000 employees worldwide, our network provides expansive opportunities for networking and professional development.

Internship Programs and Employment Benefits

Start your career journey with a General Motors internship, where you can apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects. Our internships provide a robust foundation in the automotive industry, with mentorship from experienced leaders. Full-time employees enjoy a wealth of benefits, including comprehensive health care, retirement plans, and performance bonuses, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded.

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Learn more about General Motors
Size
157,000 employees
Market Cap
$46.9 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ
GM
* Ladders Estimates

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