Job Description

A Materials Engineer – Global Energy, Fluids & Lubricants (GEFL) is responsible for the technical development, test method design, validation, approval, and issue resolution of fuels, lubricants, and functional fluids that support GM products, propulsion systems, and manufacturing operations, with a strong emphasis on test development and data analysis.

This individual contributor role supports technical leadership across one or more GEFL areas, including fuels, engine and driveline lubricants, EV/EDU fluids, coolants, hydraulic fluids, washer fluids, greases, and other specialty fluids. The role works cross‑functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Validation, Service, Purchasing, suppliers, and regulatory partners to define requirements, deliver robust material and fluid solutions, and support product excellence across global programs.

This role is expected to operate as a key technical contributor, building depth in assigned GEFL areas and supporting standards, validation approaches, and technical decisions within an established direction.

• Develop and execute laboratory, bench, rig, and vehicle test methods for fuels, lubricants, and functional fluids to support GM vehicles, propulsion systems, and manufacturing processes
• Contribute to defining material and fluid performance requirements, test plans, specifications, validation approaches, and approval criteria
• Analyze test data, summarize results, and provide clear recommendations to project teams and leadership
• Execute factory fill, service fill, and specialty fluid validation activities across global vehicle and propulsion programs under the guidance of senior engineers
• Participate in design reviews, issue resolution, root cause investigations, and warranty prevention activities related to fuels, lubricants, and fluids, with a focus on structured test and data‑driven approaches
• Evaluate supplier technologies, formulations, and change requests using appropriate test methods to help ensure performance, quality, cost, timing, and compliance objectives are achieved
• Partner with Engineering, Validation, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Legal, and Service teams to plan and interpret testing needed to implement robust fluid and lubricant solutions
• Help develop and maintain technical standards, test methods, best practices, and lessons learned for GEFL test programs
• Monitor industry, regulatory, and technology trends related to energy, fuels, lubricants, additives, and functional fluids and share relevant testing and validation implications with the team
• Participate in technical discussions with suppliers, industry groups, standards bodies, and external partners as a GM technical representative, with support from senior GEFL specialists

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering
• 3+ years’ experience in fuels, lubricants, fluids, tribology, chemical systems, materials engineering, powertrain, electrification, or a related technical area
• Demonstrated technical problem‑solving skills and ability to work effectively across functions
• Experience with test methods, validation processes, technical specifications, and data‑driven decision making, including hands‑on execution of tests and basic statistical data analysis
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast‑paced product development environment, while seeking guidance appropriately
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to complex technical work with cross‑functional visibility and business impact

• Advanced degree in science or engineering
• 5+ years’ experience with engine oils, transmission fluids, axle fluids, coolants, EV/EDU fluids, greases, washer fluids, fuels, or additive technologies
• Experience with tribology, formulation, chemical compatibility, contamination control, durability, or failure analysis
• Experience developing and executing dyno or bench validation testing including test method design, instrumentation, and data analysis using tools such as Excel, Python, Minitab, or similar
• Knowledge of automotive standards, specifications, regulatory requirements, test development, and supplier approval processes
• Experience contributing to cross‑functional technical initiatives or acting as a key technical contributor on complex issues
• Exposure to external technical forums, standards organizations, or industry groups

• Develops strong technical depth in at least one major GEFL area and is recognized as a key technical contributor within the team
• Leads well‑defined technical work packages and supports more complex efforts with cross‑functional visibility and business impact
• Executes established standards, validation strategies, and supplier technical decisions within their area of responsibility, and provides input into improvements
• Serves as a key technical contact for issues in assigned areas, escalating appropriately to senior specialists when needed
• Contributes to technical direction within GM through high‑quality analysis, documentation, and collaboration, with occasional external engagement as appropriate

This position is an individual contributor role within Materials Engineering and does not include direct people leadership responsibility. Success in this role requires strong technical depth, sound engineering judgment, collaboration across functions, and the ability to translate complex fuels, lubricants, and fluids topics into clear technical recommendations and business decisions.

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