Virtual Propulsion Engineer - Electric Drive Thermal

Job Opportunity At General Motors

This role is categorized as hybrid. The successful candidate is expected to report to Pontiac, Michigan three times per week, at minimum. In this role, you'll contribute to GM's vision of a Zero Emission future by supporting the thermal performance and integration of electric drive systems. You'll work with key components such as motors, inverters, and high-voltage connection systems to ensure optimal thermal behavior and system-level efficiency. You'll be responsible for developing accurate 1-D thermal models of electric drive components, integrating those models into broader system simulations, and creating software calibrations that enable seamless incorporation of thermal models into vehicle control systems across GM's electric vehicle portfolio. This position plays a vital role in advancing the performance, reliability, and efficiency of GM's next-generation electric vehicles.

What You'll Do:

• Develop and release 1D electric drive component thermal models
• Perform thermal simulations of electric drives to determine thermal capability against component requirements and to support early architecture decisions
• Represent electric drive component thermal analysis in larger system level thermal design activities
• Verify model predictions against test data and continuously improve modeling capabilities through model correlation activities
• Work with CAE teams to perform advanced thermal and flow simulations to ensure 1-D models are aligned with higher fidelity CAE models in areas of critical interest
• Calibrate motor and inverter temperature estimation algorithms for use in vehicle control software utilizing component, subsystem, and vehicle level test data as well as analytical tools
• Review and support both vehicle and component level testing
• Compile and present simulation results to internal customers
• Stay abreast of new technologies and competitive methods and products
• Travel as required (less than 10%), both domestic and international

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

• BS in mechanical or electrical engineering or equivalent field
• 3+ years of relevant work experience
• Extensive knowledge in heat transfer and fluid mechanics principles
• Strong experience with 1D thermal model development and simulation activities (e.g. GT thermal)
• Experience with thermal testing/validation
• Knowledge of electric motor and/or inverter design
• Experience with Matlab, Simulink
• Interpersonal skills to work cross functionally with multiple teams to drive work forward
• Ability to create and present information to leadership, peers, customers and suppliers in a clear and concise manner
• Fluency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):

• Ph.D. or MS in mechanical or electrical engineering or equivalent field
• 5+ years of relevant work experience
• Experience with modeling electric machine or inverter thermal performance
• Experience with automotive cooling system design
• Experience with automotive electric drives
• Experience with commercial CAE software for heat transfer and flow simulations (StarCCM, Fluent, etc.)
• Experience with vehicle data acquisition systems (INCA, etc.)
• Experience developing software calibrations

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

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