General Motors

Seat Comfort VDDV (CAE) Engineer

General Motors • $85K — $110K *
Warren, MI 48089Hybrid
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
  • Minimum 1 year of experience in CAE, VDDV, or product development
  • Proficient in Python, C++, or ANSA scripting for automation
  • Experience with non-linear finite element analysis using tools like Abaqus or LS-DYNA
  • Understanding of material properties relevant to CAE models
  • Ability to compare simulation results with physical testing and requirements
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead CAE activities for seat comfort from development through execution
  • Develop and execute finite element analysis plans synced with program schedules
  • Build, guide, and review CAE models on subsystem and system level
  • Perform analyses on seat comfort including H-point and pressure distribution studies
  • Translate simulation results into actionable design recommendations
  • Drive model correlation and continuous improvement based on test outcomes
  • Engage with cross-functional teams to deliver on program objectives
  • Provide technical leadership and prioritize tasks for internal and external analysts

Benefits

  • Opportunity to shape seat comfort virtual development
  • Meaningful technical ownership and influence
  • Strong collaboration across engineering disciplines
  • Chance to advance next-generation CAE capabilities
  • Hybrid work environment with flexible location expectations
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Role

The Seat Comfort VDDV (CAE) Team is seeking an experienced CAE engineer to lead virtual development, analysis, and optimization of seat comfort performance for current and future vehicle programs. This role is responsible for applying finite element analysis and related simulation methods to evaluate seat comfort, seating position, and safety occupant positioning at the vehicle system level while driving technical direction across design, engineering, testing, and supplier teams.

The successful candidate will bring basic understanding of seat systems and CAE methods, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to translate analysis results into practical design recommendations. This engineer will play a key role in advancing virtual assessment capability, improving model quality and correlation, and supporting the development of new tools, methods, and standard work that improve speed, robustness, and decision-making across programs.

This role requires a high level of ownership, technical rigor, and collaboration. The engineer in this position is expected to work with limited direction, influence technical decisions across functions, and help strengthen the team's virtual development capability. In addition to delivering program work, this individual should contribute to the evolution of best practices in seat comfort CAE, including model quality, correlation strategy, workflow efficiency.

What You'll Do
  • Lead seat comfort CAE activities for assigned vehicle programs from early development through execution
  • Develop and execute finite element analysis plans aligned to program timing, technical risks, and performance targets
  • Build, guide, and review subsystem and system-level CAE models using vehicle and seat design math
  • Perform seat comfort and related analyses, including seating position studies, H-point/Torso angle assessments, pressure distribution evaluations, and other occupant-related performance assessments
  • Translate simulation results into clear technical recommendations that improve comfort, performance, mass efficiency, and cost
  • Compare virtual results to engineering requirements and physical test outcomes, then drive model correlation and continuous improvement of analysis methods
  • Identify risks early, communicate technical issues clearly, and help teams converge on robust design solutions
  • Partner closely with seat design, systems, integration, test, manufacturing, and supplier teams to align technical direction and deliver program milestones
  • Provide technical leadership to internal analysts and external CAE suppliers, including prioritization, quality review, and issue resolution
  • Support development and deployment of new processes, tools, templates, and standard work that improve the effectiveness and scalability of seat comfort virtual development
  • Document assumptions, methods, results, and recommendations in a clear and disciplined manner for engineering review and decision-making


Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
  • Minimum 1 year of industry CAE, VDDV, or related product development experience
  • Proficiency in scripting and process automation using Python, C++, or ANSA scripting to support efficient analysis execution, workflow improvement, and tool development.
  • Experience with non-linear finite element analysis using tools such as Abaqus, LS-DYNA, or comparable CAE software
  • Understanding of material properties and their application within CAE models
  • Experience comparing simulation results to requirements and physical test data to support model improvement and engineering decisions
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments and deliver quality work in a program environment


What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

  • Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field
  • 3 years of industry CAE, VDDV, or related product development experience
  • Experience with seat comfort analysis, seating position assessments, H-point/TA studies, pressure distribution analysis, or whiplash-related assessments
  • Familiarity with automotive seat design, including seat structures, mechanisms, foam, trim, and related manufacturing processes
  • Experience working directly with suppliers and guiding technical deliverables to meet timing and quality expectations
  • Experience improving CAE methods, correlation practices, automation workflows, or virtual development tools
  • Ability to mentor less experienced engineers and contribute to technical capability building within the team
  • Broad understanding of engineering mechanics, physics, and product development processes in an automotive environment


Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of seat comfort virtual development by combining deep engineering analysis with cross-functional influence and continuous improvement. The role offers meaningful technical ownership, strong collaboration across disciplines, and the chance to contribute to both current vehicle execution and the advancement of next-generation CAE capability.
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 is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

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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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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