General Motors

Chassis Design Engineer - Aerospace/Lunar - GM Defense

General Motors • $100K — $120K *
Milford, MI 48381Hybrid
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
  • 5+ years of relevant product engineering experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, defense, aerospace, or related industries
  • Experience as a Design Release Engineer or technical lead with responsibility for a major subsystem
  • Proven track record in leading products from concept to launch in complex engineering
  • Proficient in CAD/CAE and PLM environments, with change management experience
  • Strong problem-solving and issue resolution skills in hardware-focused settings
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills for cross-functional work
  • Must be a U.S. Person.

Responsibilities

  • Design structural architecture for lunar transport platforms
  • Optimize chassis integrity for extreme lunar environments
  • Lead end-to-end mechanical design using 3D CAD tools
  • Adapt designs for extreme lunar dust and temperature conditions
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams in thermal, power, and software domains
  • Define and execute validation tests for structural integrity
  • Transform automotive engineering principles for lunar conditions.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment with flexible location expectations
  • Opportunity for domestic and occasional international travel
  • Engagement in cutting-edge space technology projects
  • Involvement in high-impact engineering work
  • Access to a collaborative work atmosphere at GM's technical centers
Full Job Description

Job Description

The Role
We are seeking Chassis/Structures Engineers to spearhead the structural architecture, optimization, and mechanical design of our upcoming lunar transport platforms. In this role, you will take advanced automotive chassis and EV architecture concepts and radically redesign them to withstand the violent vibrations of rocket launches, structural loads of lunar transit, and the harsh one-sixth gravity environment of the Moon.

What You'll Do
A Lunar Vehicle Design Engineer designs space rovers and mobility systems for the Moon, focusing on mechanical structures, thermal endurance, and harsh terrain adaptation.

  • Mission: Build rugged, high-reliability rovers or human-rated transport systems, Lunar Terrain Vehicle, to operate in extreme lunar environments.
  • Core Focus: Optimize chassis integrity, wheel-soil interaction, and payload deployment under one-sixth Earth gravity and intense thermal swings.
  • Mechanical Design: Own end-to-end development of rover structures, attachment points, and deployment systems using 3D CAD tools.
  • Environmental Adaptation: Account for extreme lunar dust, deep craters, and severe temperature drops during the lunar night.
  • Cross-Functional Integration: Interface directly with thermal, power, GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control), and software teams.
  • Testing & Verification: Define and execute rigorous validation tests for actuators, mobility geartrains, and structural load limits based on industry developed validation criteria.
  • Architecture Adaption: Scale automotive suspension, steering, and EV drivetrain concepts to function in one-sixth Earth gravity and vacuum conditions.
  • Terrestrial to Lunar Design: Bridge high-volume production quality standards with lightweight, high-performance aerospace materials.
  • Dust & Thermal Protection: Seal critical mechanical actuators and geartrains against highly abrasive lunar regolith and extreme thermal cycling.
  • Automotive Tech Transfer: Apply advanced vehicle dynamics simulations and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing methodologies to space hardware development.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
  • 5+ years of relevant product engineering experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, defense, aerospace, or a closely related industry
  • Demonstrated experience as a Design Release Engineer, technical lead, or equivalent, with end-to-end responsibility for a major subsystem
  • Proven ability to lead work through concept, design, validation, launch, and field support on complex engineered products
  • Experience working in CAD/CAE and PLM environments, including formal change management and part release processes
  • Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and issue resolution skills in a fast-paced, hardware-focused environment
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to interface effectively with suppliers, customers, and cross-functional teams
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical direction, manage subsystem risk, and mentor other engineers
  • Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

  • Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline, Aerospace Engineering in particular
  • Direct experience with military or government vehicle programs, standards, or acquisition processes
  • Familiarity with GM engineering processes, systems, and tools, including bills of material, release systems, and global vehicle development processes
  • Experience in Chassis: vehicle dynamics, durability, off-road mobility, or heavy payloads
  • Prior work in ultra-low volume, highly configured products and/or rapid prototyping environments

Work Location & Travel

  • Primary work location: GM Global Technical Center (Warren, MI) with time spent at other GM Defense-designated engineering sites as needed
  • Regular on-site presence as needed to support labs, builds, and cross-functional collaboration
  • Ability and willingness to travel domestically, and occasionally internationally, to test sites, supplier locations, and customer facilities as required

#GMD

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}. The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role. This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate. This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis and successfully complete a Motor Vehicle Report review. The position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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