Entry-Level – Researcher – Power Electronics & Energy Conversion Systems

Job Description

The Role:

The GM Energy and Propulsion Systems Research Lab identifies invents develops and implements propulsion and vehicle-efficiency research and technology to deliver disruptive value to General Motors and our customers. The labs work spans electric drives and power electronics hybrid and electric propulsion battery and thermal architectures multidisciplinary optimization and integration controls and optimization vehicle health management and virtual design and high-fidelity measurements.

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Power Electronics and Energy Conversion Systems Researcher to join our advanced R&D team. This role will focus on propulsion and non-propulsion electrical power conversion with particular emphasis on inverter and power-converter technologies for export-power uninterruptible-AC-power microgrid energy-storage and other non-automotive applications while also supporting future electrified vehicle and defense-related needs.

The successful candidate will apply advanced knowledge of power electronics energy conversion controls and system modeling to identify develop prototype and demonstrate technologies that improve efficiency cost performance packaging reliability and strategic flexibility for GM.

What Youll Do:

As a Power Electronics and Energy Conversion Systems Researcher you will:

• Research invent design model simulate prototype test and demonstrate advanced inverter and power-conversion systems.
• Define and assess technical requirements and architectures for three-phase export-power and uninterruptible-AC-power applications spanning 10kW to more than 100kW.
• Investigate power-conversion architectures that interface with grid connections energy-storage systems high-voltage batteries and generator-fed systems including applications in which a high-voltage battery is charged by a diesel generator set.
• Develop and evaluate high- and low-voltage inverter DC-DC converter and related energy-conversion topologies for propulsion and non-propulsion applications.
• Investigate GM internal and external technology options including opportunities involving GM Energy LLC-related inverter activities R&D initiatives energy-storage systems suppliers universities startups government laboratories and other strategic partners.
• Develop power-electronics solutions that address efficiency cost mass compact packaging thermal management reliability manufacturability and customer-facing functionality.
• Apply digital and analog controls embedded software system modeling simulation and optimization techniques to power-conversion systems.
• Plan and conduct instrumented bench and system-level experiments to evaluate performance EMI/EMC behavior thermal characteristics reliability and compliance with applicable military or environmental requirements.
• Work with experienced researchers and engineers to translate research concepts into hardware or system-relevant demonstrations.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers across Energy and Propulsion Systems Research GM Defense Advanced Engineering Product Development GM Energy and related technical organizations.
• Prepare high-quality research reports technical presentations records of invention and external publications that document new insights and results.
• Lead technical discussions and reviews communicate complex concepts to varied audiences and maintain current knowledge of industry and technology developments.
• Support a team-oriented high-performance research environment.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Electrical Engineering Electrical and Electronics Engineering or a related discipline with specialization in power electronics energy conversion electrical systems controls or a closely related field.

• Must be graduating between August 2026 - June 2027

• Able to work fulltime 40 hours per week

• Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen U.S. permanent resident asylee or refugee).
• Demonstrated research experience in power electronics inverter or converter systems energy conversion or related electrical power systems; recent PhD graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Strong foundation in power-electronics circuits system modeling and simulation and electrical engineering fundamentals.
• Knowledge of digital and analog control systems and the ability to program or configure embedded controls.
• Hands-on experience developing instrumenting and conducting prototype hardware and software experiments.
• Ability to analyze and communicate tradeoffs involving efficiency power density cost mass thermal performance reliability EMI/EMC and system integration.
• Familiarity with power-electronics and analysis tools such as PLECS MATLAB/Simulink Altium LTspice Maxwell 2D/3D/Q3D JMAG Ansys Altair or comparable tools.
• Strong written verbal and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to travel up to 5% domestically.

Preferred Qualifications):

• Research or development experience with three-phase inverters grid-connected converters export power uninterruptible AC power microgrids energy-storage systems or related applications.
• Experience with power-conversion systems in the approximate 10 kW to 100 kW range.
• Experience integrating power converters with high-voltage batteries diesel generator sets or other distributed-energy sources.
• Knowledge of military power-conversion requirements environmental qualification EMI/EMC compliance or ruggedized system design.
• Experience with wide-bandgap semiconductors power modules high-density packaging thermal management reliability or manufacturability of power electronics.
• Experience applying advanced optimization multiphysics analysis or AI-enabled methods to electrical thermal mechanical or system-level design.
• Experience applying advanced research and technology to automotive defense energy industrial or other challenging engineering problems.
• Publications patents records of invention or demonstrated contributions to research and technology implementation.
• Experience collaborating with universities suppliers startups government-sponsored programs or other external technology organizations.

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).

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).

Work Arrangement:

Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren MI three times per week at minimum or other frequency dictated by the business.

To help facilitate administration of relocation benefits if you are selected please apply using the permanent address you would move from.

About GM

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