General Motors

Senior Materials Engineer - Fluids and Lubricants

General Motors$100K — $130K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in science or engineering
  • 5+ years' experience in fuels, lubricants, or related technical areas
  • Demonstrated technical problem-solving skills
  • Experience with validation processes and technical specifications
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities independently
  • Proven track record of leading complex technical work

Responsibilities

  • Lead development and application of fuels and lubricants for GM
  • Define performance requirements and validation approaches
  • Oversee specialty fluid activities across global programs
  • Provide technical leadership for design reviews and issue resolutions
  • Evaluate supplier technologies and change requests for performance and compliance
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement fluid solutions
  • Drive problem-solving for technical issues related to fuels and lubricants
  • Develop and maintain technical standards and best practices

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with flexibility
  • Advanced technical environment with opportunities for influence
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Technical leadership opportunities
  • Professional development and engagement with industry standards
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Role

A Senior Materials Engineer - Global Energy, Fluids & Lubricants (GEFL) is responsible for the technical development, validation, approval, and issue resolution of fuels, lubricants, and functional fluids that support GM products, propulsion systems, and manufacturing operations.

This individual contributor role provides 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 recognized technical specialist with broad influence across programs, standards, and strategic technical decisions. The successful candidate will provide expert guidance within their area of responsibility and help shape GM direction in fuels, lubricants, and fluids technologies.

What You'll Do
  • Lead development and application of fuels, lubricants, and fluids for GM vehicles, propulsion systems, and manufacturing processes
  • Define material and fluid performance requirements, specifications, validation approaches, and approval criteria
  • Lead factory fill, service fill, and specialty fluid activities across global vehicle and propulsion programs
  • Provide technical leadership for design reviews, issue resolution, root cause investigations, and warranty prevention activities related to fuels, lubricants, and fluids
  • Evaluate supplier technologies, formulations, and change requests to ensure performance, quality, cost, timing, and compliance objectives are achieved
  • Partner with Engineering, Validation, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Legal, and Service teams to implement robust fluid and lubricant solutions
  • Drive technical problem solving for field, plant, test, and program issues involving fuels, lubricants, and fluids
  • Develop and maintain technical standards, test methods, best practices, and lessons learned
  • Monitor industry, regulatory, and technology trends related to energy, fuels, lubricants, additives, and functional fluids
  • Represent GM in technical discussions with suppliers, industry groups, standards bodies, and external partners
  • Influence external industry direction through participation in standards bodies, technical forums, and key supplier engagement


Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in science or engineering
  • 5+ 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
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced product development environment
  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical work with cross-functional visibility and business impact


What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
  • Advanced degree in science or engineering
  • 7+ 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
  • Knowledge of automotive standards, specifications, regulatory requirements, test development, and supplier approval processes
  • Experience leading cross-functional technical initiatives or serving as the primary technical focal point on complex issues
  • Experience engaging with external technical forums, standards organizations, or industry groups


Role expectations
  • Recognized technical expert in a major GEFL area or across multiple fluid technologies
  • Leads complex technical work with significant cross-functional visibility and business impact
  • Sets direction for standards, validation strategies, or supplier technical decisions within their area of responsibility
  • Frequently serves as the primary technical contact for high-impact issues and emerging technologies
  • Influences technical direction both within GM and externally through industry engagement


Additional information

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.
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

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
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ

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