2027 Summer Intern - Research and Development - Nondestructive Evaluation

General Motors; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

Job summary

General Motors in Warren, MI is seeking a graduate or advanced undergraduate engineering student to support R&D in advanced ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) for next‑generation manufacturing inspection systems. The intern will contribute to in‑line inspection technologies through sensing, modeling, and automation.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in materials, manufacturing, robotics, sensing, and computational modeling to develop and validate NDE solutions.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Physics at a leading university.
• Must be a current student and available full-time 40 hours per week during the summer.
• Strong academic and applied background in acoustics with experience in nonlinear acoustics, wave propagation, experiments, and modeling.
• Proficiency with COMSOL or similar modeling tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate models of wave propagation in engineering materials and manufacturing processes.
• Support research involving advanced ultrasonic inspection methods, including nonlinear acoustics and guided wave testing.
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments for nondestructive testing and evaluation.
• Analyze nondestructive measurement data and correlate results with manufacturing process conditions, material quality, and defect characteristics.
• Assist in the development of in-line and automated inspection technologies for manufacturing environments.
• Document research findings through technical reports, presentations, and experimental procedures.

Skills

Acoustics background

Nonlinear acoustics

Wave propagation

Modeling

COMSOL

Education

Pursuing masters or PhD in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or Physics

Tools

COMSOL Multiphysics

Job description

Job Description

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated graduate or advanced undergraduate engineering student to support research and development activities focused on advanced ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technologies for next-generation manufacturing inspection systems. The intern will contribute to the development of next-generation in-line inspection technologies for manufacturing quality assurance and process monitoring through advanced sensing, modeling, and automation approaches.

This position offers an opportunity to work on cutting-edge inspection technologies which may include wave propagation modeling, nonlinear acoustics, guided wave techniques, robotic inspection systems, and advanced data analytics. The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams spanning materials engineering, manufacturing, robotics, sensing technologies, and computational modeling.

Intern Gain Hands-On Experience

• Advanced NDE technologies in a manufacturing environment
• Wave propagation modeling and simulation
• Development and validation of manufacturing inspection technologies
• Robotic inspection and sensor integration
• Research execution, technical reporting, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Application of advanced sensing and automation technologies to manufacturing quality challenges

What You’ll Do

• Develop and validate models of wave propagation in engineering materials and manufacturing processes.
• Support research involving advanced ultrasonic inspection methods, including:
  • Advanced ultrasonic techniques, e.g., nonlinear acoustics, guided wave testing, etc.
  • Advanced manufacturing inspection methodologies
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments for nondestructive testing and evaluation
• Analyze nondestructive measurement data and correlate results with manufacturing process conditions, material quality, and defect characteristics.
• Assist in the development of in-line and automated inspection technologies for manufacturing environments
• Support the integration of sensing technologies with inspection platforms
• Participate in data analysis, visualization, and algorithm development for defect detection, characterization, and manufacturing process monitoring
• Document research findings through technical reports, presentations, and experimental procedures
• Collaborate with researchers, engineers, and technical specialists on advanced manufacturing and inspection technology projects.

Required Qualifications

• Pursuing a masters or PhD. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field from a leading university.
• Must be a current student
• Able to work fulltime, 40 hours per week during the summer months
• Strong academic and applied background in acoustics, with experience in nonlinear acoustics wave propagation, experiments, and modeling.
• Strong modeling skills (COMSOL or similar).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with: Guided waves
• Phased array ultrasound and beamforming laws
• Integrating quality systems into inline manufacturing processes
• Other nondestructive modalities, such as electromagnetic techniques
• Sensor fabrication
• Experience in industrial or automotive manufacturing environments
• Publication record in leading conferences (e.g., ASNT, ASA, QNDE, SPIE, etc.

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

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Benefits Overview

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