R&D Researcher, AI and Machine Learning

About the Role

The R&D Manufacturing Systems Research Group at General Motors is seeking a researcher to develop and apply artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions for advanced manufacturing systems. This role will focus on applying AI/ML to real-world manufacturing challenges involving process improvement, quality, automation, production efficiency, and decision support. The researcher will work with multidisciplinary teams to develop new concepts, build prototypes, evaluate results, and help transition successful solutions into manufacturing applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate AI/ML models for manufacturing engineering and production applications.
• Build data pipelines, prototypes, analytical tools, and decision-support solutions.
• Apply methods including machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, large language models, computer vision, time-series modeling, and optimization.
• Work with manufacturing data from sensors, equipment, processes, simulations, and operational systems.
• Translate engineering and manufacturing challenges into research questions and technical plans.
• Design experiments, validate results, and assess technical and business impact.
• Evaluate emerging AI/ML technologies and determine their potential value for GM manufacturing systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, universities, suppliers, and technical experts.
• Communicate technical results through presentations, reports, publications, and invention disclosures.
• Maintain current knowledge of AI/ML methods, tools, and responsible AI practices.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
• Experience developing and evaluating AI/ML models through academic research, industrial research, internships, or applied engineering projects.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with AI/ML frameworks or analytical tools.
• Knowledge of data preparation, model training, validation, performance evaluation, and experiment design.
• Experience working with structured or unstructured data, such as sensor, time-series, image, text, or process data.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively to a multidisciplinary research team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying AI/ML to manufacturing, engineering, robotics, automation, scientific computing, or industrial operations.
• Knowledge of manufacturing process modeling, process control, quality systems, production systems, optimization, or operations research.
• Experience with computer vision, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, digital twins, simulation, reinforcement learning, generative AI, large language models, or agentic systems.
• Experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, Keras, MATLAB, R, SQL, or cloud-based AI/ML platforms.
• Experience designing data architectures, integrating databases, or deploying models into operational environments.
• Familiarity with MLOps, model monitoring, model lifecycle management, and responsible AI.
• Peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, patents, or invention disclosures.
• Experience collaborating with universities, suppliers, research institutions, or distributed technical teams.