2026 Summer Intern – Creative Design

Job Description

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.)

To help facilitate administration of relocation benefits if you are selected, please apply using the permanent address you would move from.

Work Arrangement:  

Onsite: This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Pasadena, CA or Warren, MI on a full-time basis.  

Each successful candidate will be offered an onsite role at a specific location. Candidate location preferences are considered but cannot be guaranteed. 

The Role:  

At General Motors we pride ourselves on designing, building, and selling the world's best vehicles and transportation solutions. We are seeking a new generation of visionaries to help launch bold Design initiatives, and shape new directions for General Motors. As an intern through our EXCEL (Exploring Careers through Experiential Learning) Program you will gain hands-on career specific experiences to maximize your real-world potential while learning from industry leaders and experts in Creative Design. We are looking for enthusiastic creative students willing to learn and enhance their skills, work as a team and not be afraid to communicate what they are working on.

We are excited to announce GM Design’s 2026 Internship opportunities, including: 

• Creative Design Interiors 

• Creative Design Exteriors  

Please note, you must submit a Portfolio to be considered for this position – See Instructions Below.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Creates new and unique design concepts

• Make perspective sketches and renderings sufficient to communicate innovative design ideas.    

• Develop two and three-dimensional mock-ups of proposed design solutions.   

• Work with studio engineers, modelers, other designers, and fabrication personnel in the development of a scale model

Required Qualifications:

• Pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree or Advanced degree in one of the following areas: Industrial Design, Product Design, Transportation Design, or Automotive Design

• Must be graduating Dec 2026 – May 2028

• Able to work full-time, 40 hours per week 

What will give you a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):    

• Proficient with Photoshop or comparable Digital Sketch Software

• Sketching skills (perspective, shading, proportions, great lines)

• Strong Visual Communication Skills (indicating varied materials, finishes, textures)

• Experience with the fundamentals of 3D Digital Software (Blender, Sub-D, Alias or comparable)

• Demonstrates the ability of understanding a brand and customer and proposes appropriate designs that represent the brand’s design language and identity

• Portfolio needs to include Automotive and/or Product Industrial Design proposal (recommended a minimum of 3 unique projects in the portfolio)

• Portfolio needs to include examples of developing a design concept from 2D to 3D

• Portfolio needs to include developmental sketches highlighting the thought process and selection leading up to the final design

Start Dates 

Intern: Start Dates for this internship role are May & June of 2026. 

Compensation: ​ 

• The monthly salary for this role is $5,300 - $5,700.

• GM will provide a one-time lump sum taxable stipend payment to eligible students selected for the 2026 Student Program.​ 

What you’ll get from us (Benefits): ​ 

• Paid US GM Holidays 

• GM Family First Vehicle Discount Program 

• Result-based potential for growth within GM 

• Intern events to network with company leaders and peers 

PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:    

We strongly encourage you to include a link to your online portfolio in the "website" section of your application or directly on your resume. This allows us to easily access larger files and view your work in its intended format. 

If your portfolio is not available online, please follow the instructions below to upload it as a separate attach