Entry-Level – Researcher – Power Electronics & Energy Conversion Systems
General Motors
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Job summary
General Motors' Energy and Propulsion Systems Research Lab is seeking a highly skilled Power Electronics and Energy Conversion Systems Researcher to advance inverter and power-conversion technologies for propulsion and non-automotive applications.
You will apply power electronics, energy conversion, controls, and system modeling to prototype, test, and demonstrate high-efficiency solutions while collaborating across GM teams and contributing to publications and technology transfer.
Qualifications
- PhD in Electrical Engineering with specialization in power electronics, energy conversion, or related field.
- Demonstrated research in power electronics, inverter/converter systems, or related power systems.
- Ability to work fulltime and travel up to 5% domestically.
Responsibilities
- Research, design, simulate, prototype, test, and demonstrate advanced inverter and power-conversion systems.
- Define architectures for 10kW to 100kW export-power applications and UPS-like systems.
- Develop topologies for high/low-voltage inverters and DC-DC converters for propulsion and non-propulsion uses.
- Collaborate with GM Energy, GM Defense, Advanced Engineering and related teams; translate concepts into hardware demonstrations.
- Prepare reports, presentations, and publications documenting new insights and results.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
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 lab’s 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.
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 lab’s 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
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].
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.
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.
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-at so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
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, color, 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
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