2027 Summer Intern - Research and Developement - Display Optical Simulation

General Motors; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 20,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors in Warren, Michigan is seeking an R&D Intern to research, design, and develop breakthrough technologies in autonomous, connectivity, and display systems. You will plan collaborative research and contribute to evolving vehicle experiences this summer.

The role emphasizes strong analytical, experimental, and software skills, with opportunities to publish results and develop IP. Hybrid work and a stipend are involved.

Qualifications

• Pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in engineering or science.
• Must be a current student.
• PhD student or second-year master's student in engineering or science.
• Experience with simulation and ray tracing is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and experiments to validate research ideas in CEASR.
• Document and present results, potentially for publications or IP.
• Execute assignments related to displays and optics.
• Develop research plans from concept to validation.
• Collaborate with peers, management, and external organizations.

Skills

Python programming

MATLAB programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Current student

PhD student or 2nd year master's student in engineering or science

Tools

Zemax

Lumerical

Job description

The Team:

At GM, we look to move humanity forward. We translate breakthrough technologies into vehicles and experience that people love. It all starts with research and development.

In the Connected Experience and Agentic System Research lab, we transform the mobility experience by creating integrated solutions for safe and connected vehicles that our customers love. We are looking for R&D Interns to research, design, and develop groundbreaking technologies in autonomous, connectivity, vehicle architectures, safety, cybersecurity, user experience, displays and simulation. In this internship, you will plan and execute collaborative research to generate new knowledge and sophisticated technology for our vehicles. Our culture of "Innovate Now" gives you the opportunity to be creative and implement designs that could possibly be driving around in the near future!

What You'll Do:

• Conduct research and/or experiments to collect required data and validate research ideas in the Connected Experience and Agentics System Research Lab (CEASR)
• Document and present results. Depending on the assignment, results could lead to external publications and/or intellectual property
• Execute technical and special assignments related to displays and optics
• Develop and execute specific research plans, including concept generation, development, implementation, and validation
• Collaborate effectively with peers, management, operations groups, and outside organizations

Required Qualifications:

• Pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in one of the following areas: engineering or science
• Must be a current student
• Able to work fulltime, 40 hours per week during the summer months
• Must be a current PhD student or second year masters student in engineering or science
• Research experience in simulation of ray tracing
• Strong theoretical, experimental and software programming skills
• Ability to work both independently and in teams
• Consistently demonstrate critical thinking and strong teamwork
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent persuasion, active listening, delegation, and leadership skills to work effectively with GM internal and external customers

Preferred Qualifications:

• Programming skills in Python or MATLAB
• Modeling Experience in Zemax, Lumerical
• Research experience in one or more of the following topics: free form optics, waveguide, displays, spatial light modulation, holography
• Knowledge of Machine Learning and Deep Learning
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management skills to effectively collaborate with varying levels of the organization as needed
• Demonstrates leadership in field of study, extra-curricular activities, or service organizations
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, especially the ability to synthesize large amounts of data involving multiple variables into comprehensive, impactful insights
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, leading deliverables and goals
• Willingness to ask questions, take initiative and be inventive
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill sophisticated subjects to a wider audience
• Emerging partnership and teamwork skills and ability to learn from and share knowledge with co-workers in a rapidly moving environment
• High level of integrity, ability to deal with ambiguity, takes initiative/self-directed
• Evidence of strong character with integrity, honesty, accountability and trust

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].

GM will provide a one-time lump sum taxable stipend payment to eligible students selected for the 2027 Student Program - to help facilitate administration of relocation benefits, please apply using the permanent address you would move from.

Start dates for this internship role are May 24th & June 14th of 2027.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day - individually and collectively - to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to