2027 Summer Intern – Research and Development - Power Electronics & Energy Conversion Systems

General Motors; Pontiac (MI); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors Company is offering a Research and Development Intern position in the Power Electronics & Energy Conversion Systems group in Pontiac, MI. The intern will support advanced research in power conversion, electric-drive systems, and energy-conversion architectures for electrification projects.

Responsibilities include modeling, circuit analysis, hardware evaluation, data analysis, and documentation, with a focus on collaborative, cross-functional teamwork.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. in electrical engineering or related field.
• Able to work full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Willing to work in a laboratory and follow safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support research projects on power electronics, energy conversion and vehicle electrification.
• Develop models and simulations to evaluate switching behavior and system trade-offs.
• Assist with prototype hardware design, schematics, PCB layouts and test plans.
• Collect and analyze electrical, thermal and control-system data; document results.

Skills

Analytical & communication skills

Education

Master's or PhD in electrical engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

LTspice

PSIM

ANSYS/COMSOL

Job description

Job Description

The Role:

Research and Development Intern – Power Electronics & Energy Conversion Systems

As a Research and Development Intern within the Power Electronics & Energy Conversion Systems group, you will support advanced research in power conversion, electric-drive systems, power modules, energy-conversion architectures, and related electrification technologies within GM’s Energy and Propulsion Systems Research organization.

Depending on your background, interests, and project needs, your work may include concept generation, circuit and system analysis, modelling and simulation, proof‑of‑concept design, hardware build, laboratory testing, troubleshooting, data analysis, and technical documentation.

Potential research areas include embedded PCB power modules, multilevel inverters, next‑generation power semiconductors, gate‑drive systems, vehicle inverter and motor‑system optimisation, multifunctional or multiplexed power electronics, low‑voltage vehicle‑system cost reduction, onboard chargers, auxiliary DC‑DC converters, electromagnetic‑interference measurement and mitigation, and advanced power‑conversion architectures.

The Team:

The Power Electronics & Energy Conversion Systems group within Energy and Propulsion Systems Research conducts advanced research in vehicle power conversion, inverter architectures, power modules, gate drives, electric machines, charging systems, and related electrification technologies.

The team connects laboratory research, analytical modelling, simulation, prototype hardware, and experimental validation to support future GM electric, hybrid and propulsion applications. You will work with experienced researchers and cross‑functional partners in a collaborative environment focused on improving efficiency, power density, performance, reliability, cost, thermal behaviour and system integration.

What You’ll Do:

• Support research and development projects involving power electronics, energy conversion, electric drives, charging and vehicle electrification.
• Contribute to concept generation and technical evaluation of circuits, converters, inverters, power modules, gate drives, semiconductors, control methods and system architectures.
• Perform electrical, thermal, electromagnetic, loss, efficiency, reliability and performance analyses as appropriate to the assignment.
• Develop or use engineering models and simulations to evaluate switching behaviour, power flow, losses, thermal performance, control response, electromagnetic effects and system‑level trade‑offs.
• Assist with the design and evaluation of prototype hardware, including schematics, printed circuit boards, gate‑drive circuits, power stages, sensors, measurement interfaces and supporting components.
• Support laboratory hardware checkout, bring‑up, instrumentation, data acquisition and controlled testing under appropriate supervision.
• Help plan and execute bench, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, dynamometer or other laboratory experiments as appropriate to the project.
• Collect, organise, process and analyse electrical, thermal, mechanical and control‑system data.
• Investigate unexpected results, troubleshoot hardware or software issues, identify root causes and recommend corrective actions or design improvements.
• Support testing and analysis of emerging semiconductor technologies or other advanced devices, as applicable to the project.
• Assist with inverter, motor‑drive, onboard‑charger, auxiliary DC‑DC converter, low‑voltage power‑conversion, multifunctional power‑electronics or EMI research as assigned.
• Create or update engineering documentation, including schematics, calculations, simulation models, bills of materials, test plans, test procedures, laboratory records, technical reports and presentations.
• Maintain accurate records of assumptions, design decisions, test conditions, measurements, results, failures and conclusions while following applicable laboratory and safety requirements.
• Collaborate with researchers and cross‑functional partners, communicate progress clearly, share technical learnings and present project findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering, power electronics, power systems, energy conversion, control systems, mechatronics, electromagnetics or a related science or engineering field.
• Able to work full‑time, 40 hours per week, for the duration of the summer internship.
• Willing to work in a laboratory and engineering test environment and follow applicable safety requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework, research or project experience in power electronics, power semiconductor devices, electric machines, motor drives, converters, inverters, power systems, circuit design, control systems, electromagnetics or thermal management.
• Experience with multilevel inverter topologies, resonant or high‑frequency conversion, gate‑drive design, PCB layout, power‑module design or switching‑device characterization.
• Familiarity with SiC, GaN, MOSFET, IGBT, hybrid‑switch or other power‑semiconductor technologies.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, LTspice, PSIM, ANSYS, COMSOL or comparable engineering‑analysis and simulation tools.
• Experience with Python, C/C++, embedded controllers, FPGA or microcontroller platforms, data acquisition or automated test systems.
• Familiarity with oscilloscopes, power analyzers, current and voltage probes, thermal cameras, electronic loads, dynamometers, impedance analyzers or other laboratory instrumentation.
• Understanding of switching losses, conduction losses, parasitics, dead time, modulation, control‑loop design, thermal limits, EMI/EMC, magnetic components and power‑device protection.
• Experience designing experiments, analysing measurements, correlating simulation with test results or performing uncertainty and error analysis.
• Ability to read technical papers, patents, schematics, datasheets and engineering specifications.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, written and verbal communication skills; ability to work safely, maintain organised laboratory records and collaborate effectively with researchers and cross‑functional engineering teams.

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 authorisation 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 Pontiac, MI or Warren, MI three times per week, at minimum [or other frequency dictated by the business].

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 feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

From day one, we’re looking out for your well‑being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realising your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

Non‑Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non‑discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, colour, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role‑related assessment(s) and/or a pre‑employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.