Researcher

About the Role

The GM Energy and Propulsion Systems Research Lab focuses on identifying, inventing, developing, and implementing propulsion and vehicle-efficiency research and technology. The lab's work includes electric drives, 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 motivated and technically skilled Power Electronics and Energy Conversion Systems Researcher for our advanced R&D team. This role will concentrate on propulsion and non-propulsion electrical power conversion, with a focus on inverter and power-converter technologies for export-power, uninterruptible-AC-power, microgrid, and energy-storage applications. The position will also support 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 (10kW to >100kW).
• Investigate power-conversion architectures that interface with grid connections, energy-storage systems, high-voltage batteries, and generator-fed systems, including scenarios where 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 internal and external technology options, including collaborations with GM Energy, LLC, R&D initiatives, energy-storage systems, suppliers, universities, startups, government laboratories, and strategic partners.
• Develop power-electronics solutions addressing 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.
• Collaborate with experienced researchers and engineers to translate research concepts into hardware or system-relevant demonstrations.
• Work with researchers and engineers across Energy and Propulsion Systems Research, GM Defense, Advanced Engineering, Product Development, GM Energy, and related technical organizations.
• Prepare research reports, technical presentations, records of invention, and external publications.
• 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.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• 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 full-time, 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.
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to travel up to 5% domestically.

Qualifications

• 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.

This role is categorized as hybrid, requiring the successful candidate to report to Warren, MI three times per week, at minimum.

The position is subject to export control restrictions.

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