Safety CAE Modeling Engineer - GM Defense

General Motors; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is seeking an engineer to develop and maintain CAE models with a focus on LS-DYNA for VDDV projects at GM Defense. You will support model prep, execution, post-processing, and issue resolution across vehicle and component analyses.

Work will involve collaborating with design, materials, program, and simulation teams, applying engineering judgment, and driving process improvements and automation to improve model quality and delivery timing.

Qualifications

• This role requires a Bachelor's degree in engineering or physics with hands-on CAE/FEA experience.
• Strong LS-DYNA modeling experience and ability to use pre/post-processing tools.
• Ability to automate workflows with scripting and to communicate assumptions clearly.

Responsibilities

• Create, update, and quality-check CAE models following GM standards.
• Prepare LS-DYNA models and perform pre/post-processing for vehicle analyses.
• Review model quality, document findings, and resolve issues.
• Identify non-routine issues and escalate deviations as needed.
• Coordinate with designers, materials, simulation, and program teams.
• Communicate model status, risks, and timing to stakeholders.
• Support analyses in vehicle safety, crashworthiness, and sensing domains.
• Contribute to process automation using Python/Tcl/Tk or similar tools.
• Share modeling methods and drive improvements across teams.

Skills

Python scripting

Cross-functional collaboration

Engineering judgment

LS-DYNA modeling

Pre/post-processing tools

DFSS black belt

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Physics

Tools

LS-DYNA

ANSA

Primer

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Job description

Job Description

This engineer will create and maintain computer-aided engineering (CAE) models for assigned GM Defense Virtual Design, Development and Validation (VDDV) projects, with a primary focus on LS-DYNA model development. The role will support model preparation, execution, post-processing, documentation, and issue resolution for vehicle and component-level analyses.

The engineer will work within established GM modeling processes, coordinate with design, analysis, materials, program, and simulation teams, and apply sound engineering judgment to resolve non-routine modeling issues. The role will also contribute to process improvements and automation that improve model quality, repeatability, and delivery timing.

What You\'ll Do

The position requires the ability to work independently on standard assignments, seek guidance when issues fall outside established methods, and communicate assumptions, risks, and results clearly.

• Create, update, and quality-check CAE (computer-aided engineering) models using established GM modeling standards.
• Prepare LS-DYNA models and perform pre-processing and post-processing for assigned vehicle and component-level analyses.
• Review model quality and results for completeness and consistency; document assumptions, findings, and open issues.
• Identify and resolve non-routine modeling issues using engineering judgment, escalating issues outside established methods.
• Apply established modeling procedures to GM Defense requirements and escalating proposed deviations for review.
• Coordinate with designers, design release engineers (DREs), materials specialists, simulation engineers, and program teams to obtain inputs and resolve issues.
• Communicate model status, risks, issues, and timing to project stakeholders.
• Support assigned analyses in applicable vehicle safety, occupant, rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), crashworthiness, instrumentation, and sensing domains.
• Contribute to process automation using Python, Tcl/Tk, or similar scripting tools.
• Share modeling methods and lessons learned with teammates and recommend improvements to modeling processes, tools, and documentation.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Physics
• 3+ years of relevant experience in CAE, FEA, vehicle engineering, or a related technical field
• Ability to use sound engineering judgment, collaborate with cross-functional teammates, and seek guidance when requirements or methods are unclear
• Basic scripting capability in Python, Tcl/Tk, or similar tools to automate repetitive tasks and improve modeling efficiency
• Experience developing LS-DYNA models and using pre- and post-processing tools such as ANSA or Primer
• Experience using engineering software such as Siemens NX, Teamcenter, or visualization tools to support model creation
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, written and oral, for working with engineering and program stakeholders
• DFSS black belt or similar certification
• Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Demonstrated proficiency in FEA modeling tools
• Experience directly with ANSA as the pre-processing tool for modeling support
• Engineering design and release experience
• Optimization integration into product design and development

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role.

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

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

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

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Accommodations

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