The Virtual Propulsion Engineer will lead CAE capabilities, execute product analyses, build FEA models, perform root cause analysis, and mentor junior engineers, focusing on enhancing product performance and quality.
Description
At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We're turning today's impossible into tomorrow's standard -from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.
Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.
Senior CAE Engineer
Role Overview
As the Senior CAE Engineer , you will be a key technical leader responsible for developing, enhancing, and deploying advanced Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) capabilities to support product development. You will partner closely with cross-functional engineering teams to virtually evaluate designs, identify risks early, and drive data-based decisions that improve product performance, quality, and time-to-market.
Key Responsibilities • Lead CAE capability development
Own the creation, enhancement, and deployment of new CAE methodologies, tools, and best practices to support evolving product and performance requirements.
Identify gaps in current analysis capabilities and drive continuous improvement initiatives to close them. • Execute analysis for product development programs
Participate as the CAE lead on new, major, and minor product design programs , providing analysis-based insights to support concept selection, design trade-offs, and design validation.
Plan and execute simulation activities to assess structural performance, durability, stiffness, strength, or other performance attributes as required by the program. • Modeling and simulation
Build high-quality Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models from CAD solid models, including geometry cleanup, meshing, material assignment, boundary conditions, and load case definition.
Ensure models are robust, repeatable, and scalable for design iterations and design-of-experiments (DOE) studies. • Correlation, problem solving, and root cause analysis
Develop and apply methods for root cause analysis , failure investigation, and performance optimization using CAE results, physical test data, and field feedback.
Correlate analytical results with test outcomes to improve model fidelity and build confidence in simulation-based decision making. • Technical leadership and collaboration
Serve as a subject matter expert, mentoring junior engineers on CAE methods, tools, and best practices.
Collaborate with design, test, manufacturing, and supplier teams to ensure CAE insights are integrated into design requirements and hardware decisions.
Communicate complex analysis results in a clear, concise manner to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. • Documentation and standards
Create and maintain documentation for analysis methods, workflows, and templates to ensure consistency and reusability.
Contribute to the development and enforcement of CAE standards, guidelines, and quality checks across programs.
Qualifications
Required:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field .
Significant hands-on experience with FEA-based CAE tools (e.g., ANSA, HyperMesh, Nastran, Abaqus, OptiStruct, or equivalent).
Proven experience building and executing FEA models from CAD solid models , including meshing, boundary condition setup, and results interpretation.
Strong understanding of mechanics, materials, and structural analysis fundamentals.
Preferred:
Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
Experience supporting product development teams on full lifecycle programs (concept through launch).
Familiarity with optimization, DOE, and automation of CAE workflows.
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 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 may be eligible for relocation benefits.
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.
Total Rewards | Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
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, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us [email protected] or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We're turning today's impossible into tomorrow's standard -from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.
Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.
Senior CAE Engineer
Role Overview
As the Senior CAE Engineer , you will be a key technical leader responsible for developing, enhancing, and deploying advanced Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) capabilities to support product development. You will partner closely with cross-functional engineering teams to virtually evaluate designs, identify risks early, and drive data-based decisions that improve product performance, quality, and time-to-market.
Key Responsibilities • Lead CAE capability development
Own the creation, enhancement, and deployment of new CAE methodologies, tools, and best practices to support evolving product and performance requirements.
Identify gaps in current analysis capabilities and drive continuous improvement initiatives to close them. • Execute analysis for product development programs
Participate as the CAE lead on new, major, and minor product design programs , providing analysis-based insights to support concept selection, design trade-offs, and design validation.
Plan and execute simulation activities to assess structural performance, durability, stiffness, strength, or other performance attributes as required by the program. • Modeling and simulation
Build high-quality Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models from CAD solid models, including geometry cleanup, meshing, material assignment, boundary conditions, and load case definition.
Ensure models are robust, repeatable, and scalable for design iterations and design-of-experiments (DOE) studies. • Correlation, problem solving, and root cause analysis
Develop and apply methods for root cause analysis , failure investigation, and performance optimization using CAE results, physical test data, and field feedback.
Correlate analytical results with test outcomes to improve model fidelity and build confidence in simulation-based decision making. • Technical leadership and collaboration
Serve as a subject matter expert, mentoring junior engineers on CAE methods, tools, and best practices.
Collaborate with design, test, manufacturing, and supplier teams to ensure CAE insights are integrated into design requirements and hardware decisions.
Communicate complex analysis results in a clear, concise manner to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. • Documentation and standards
Create and maintain documentation for analysis methods, workflows, and templates to ensure consistency and reusability.
Contribute to the development and enforcement of CAE standards, guidelines, and quality checks across programs.
Qualifications
Required:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field .
Significant hands-on experience with FEA-based CAE tools (e.g., ANSA, HyperMesh, Nastran, Abaqus, OptiStruct, or equivalent).
Proven experience building and executing FEA models from CAD solid models , including meshing, boundary condition setup, and results interpretation.
Strong understanding of mechanics, materials, and structural analysis fundamentals.
- Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and translate simulation results into clear design recommendations.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information in a clear and actionable way.
Preferred:
Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
Experience supporting product development teams on full lifecycle programs (concept through launch).
Familiarity with optimization, DOE, and automation of CAE workflows.
- Experience correlating CAE results with physical test data and refining models accordingly.
- Prior experience mentoring or leading other engineers in a CAE-focused environment.
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 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 may be eligible for relocation benefits.
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.
Total Rewards | Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
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, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us [email protected] or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
Top Skills
Abaqus
Ansa
Computer-Aided Engineering
Finite Element Analysis
Hypermesh
Nastran
Optistruct
General Motors Mountain View, California, USA Office
General Motors Mountain View Tech Center Office




Opened in 2024, our Mountain View facility serves as a hub for research and innovation in Silicon Valley. Designers, engineers, and staff at this state-of-the-art campus support the advancement of General Motors’ product portfolio through software development, engineering and design.
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