Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Lab Technician

General Motors LLC; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors seeks a Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Technician to support development, testing, and validation of IHED and next-generation vehicle technologies. This hands-on role covers test setup, instrumentation, data collection, and execution of mechanical, thermal, and environmental tests on electronic modules and components.

You will work closely with Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Engineering teams to ensure high-quality, repeatable test results, contribute to data-driven

Qualifications

• Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Technology.
• 5+ years in an engineering, electronics, thermal, or validation lab.
• Experience with thermal, environmental, vibration, and shock testing.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and test procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and safety focus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and execute mechanical, thermal, and environmental tests on electronic modules, PCBs, and enclosures.
• Install and configure sensors and instrumentation, and ensure reliable data collection.
• Capture, organize, and maintain test data, photos, and setup documentation.
• Maintain a safe, clean laboratory environment and support equipment maintenance.
• Collaborate with Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Engineers to meet test objectives.

Skills

Reading engineering drawings

Excel proficiency

Attention to detail

Safety focus

Education

Associate degree or technical certification

Tools

DAQ systems

Thermocouples

Strain gauges

Vibration testing equipment

Job description

Job Description

Compute & Connectivity Hardware (CCH) is part of GM's Vehicle Software & Electronics Engineering (VSEE) organization within Software & Services Engineering. Our team develops the hardware foundation that powers GM's software-defined vehicles, including compute platforms, connectivity systems, networking architectures, displays, and other electronic technologies that enable infotainment, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), vehicle controls, and connected customer experiences. From concept through production, CCH engineers drive architecture, requirements development, electronics design, hardware integration, validation, launch, and in market performance. We partner closely with software, systems, cybersecurity, functional safety, manufacturing, suppliers, and vehicle engineering teams to deliver reliable, scalable hardware solutions across GM's global vehicle portfolio.

About the Role

We are seeking a Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Technician to support the development, testing, and validation of in-house electronics designs (IHED) and next-generation vehicle technologies. This hands-on role is responsible for test setup, instrumentation, data collection, and execution of mechanical, thermal, and environmental testing of electronic modules and components. The successful candidate will work closely with Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Engineering teams to execute test plans with high quality and repeatability, enabling data-driven engineering decisions and product validation.

Key Responsibilities

• Test Setup & Execution: Prepare and execute mechanical, thermal, and environmental tests on electronic modules, PCBs, and enclosures, including thermal characterization, vibration, mechanical shock, thermal cycling, and thermal shock testing. Set up fixtures, mounting hardware, and test configurations according to engineering requirements, drawings, and test procedures. Operate laboratory equipment including environmental chambers, vibration shakers, thermal chambers, wind tunnels, power supplies, and data acquisition systems. Perform pre-test and post-test functional verification and document test observations, issues, or anomalies.
• Instrumentation & Data Acquisition: Install and configure thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, displacement sensors, and other instrumentation. Route and secure wiring and sensor connections to ensure reliable data collection and test integrity. Monitor and record temperature, strain, acceleration, and other performance metrics using data acquisition systems. Support calibration activities and verify instrumentation compliance with laboratory standards and procedures.
• Data Collection & Reporting: Capture, organize, and maintain test data, photographs, setup documentation, and supporting records. Conduct basic data validation and trend analysis to identify anomalies and summarize findings for engineering teams. Assist in the creation of standardized test reports by compiling data, observations, and test results.
• Laboratory Operations: Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment in accordance with GM safety requirements and established 5S practices. Support equipment maintenance, calibration coordination, troubleshooting, and readiness activities. Manage inventory of test fixtures, tooling, instrumentation, and consumable materials. Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on testing efficiency, documentation quality, and workflow optimization.
• Collaboration: Partner with Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Engineers to understand test objectives, requirements, and constraints. Communicate test progress, risks, and technical issues in a timely manner. Participate in test planning reviews, readiness assessments, and engineering discussions.

Basic Qualifications

• Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Technology.
• 5+ years of experience in an engineering, electronics, thermal, or validation lab.
• Experience with thermal, environmental, vibration, and shock testing.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and test procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and safety focus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automotive electronics, PCBs, or electronic control modules.
• Hands-on experience with thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, and DAQ systems.
• Familiarity with thermal management and validation testing.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, or similar product development environments.
• Strong communication, troubleshooting, and multitasking skills.

Work Location

This position is primarily on-site and requires regular presence within the Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Laboratory to support hardware preparation, test execution, equipment operation, and hands-on engineering validation activities. 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). This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis. This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

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