2026 Fall Intern - Research & Development

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.

Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report in office three times per week, at minimum [or other frequency dictated by the business]. 

The start date for this internship is September 7, 2026.

The Team

At GM, we craft products people crave and experiences they never forget. It all starts with research and development. We are looking for R&D Interns to craft, design, and develop groundbreaking concepts and technologies that will help shape the future of mobility.

In this internship, you will plan and execute collaborative research across advanced engineering, systems optimization, autonomy, safety, manufacturing, and power electronics. Projects may include component analysis and application of AI tools, systems optimization and use of agentic systems, evaluation of multi-modal command recognition approaches for off-road autonomy, comparison of human body models for injury severity prediction, and development of next-generation electrical power devices and switching technologies.

You will work with technical leaders across GM Research and Development to explore innovative approaches that combine engineering fundamentals with AI, modeling, simulation, controls, robotics, and advanced electronics. Our culture of innovation gives you the opportunity to contribute to impactful research, support development of advanced technical solutions, and help shape future vehicle, mobility, and engineering capabilities.

What You Will Do

• Conduct research and/or experiments to collect required data and validate research ideas
• Apply engineering, computational, and AI-based methods to challenging research problems across multiple technical domains
• Develop AI/ML models and algorithms for simulation tools and workflows supporting component analysis, structural optimization, systems optimization, autonomous vehicles, injury prediction, or power electronics research.
• Analyze and compare technical approaches, methods, or system architectures and provide data-driven recommendations
• Develop reproducible test protocols, validation plans, or benchmarking approaches for research activities as needed
• Document and present results; depending on the assignment, work may lead to external publications and/or intellectual property
• Develop and execute specific research plans, including concept generation, development, implementation, and validation
• Collaborate effectively with peers, management, operations groups, and outside organizations

Required Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required to comply with federal government contract provision expressly restricting role to U.S. citizens
• Must be currently enrolled in a PhD program
• Pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related science/engineering field
• Strong foundation in at least one of the following areas: engineering analysis, AI/ML, optimization, robotics, simulation, controls, injury biomechanics, electric machines and drives, or power electronics
• Programming, modeling, or simulation experience using relevant engineering or data analysis tools
• Ability to work both independently and in teams
• Consistently demonstrate critical thinking and strong teamwork
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent persuasion, active listening, delegation, and leadership skills to work effectively with GM internal and external customers

What Will Give You a Competitive Advantage (Preferred Qualifications)

• Prior research, internship, or project experience in CAE, structural optimization, engineering mechanics, systems engineering, autonomy, robotics, safety modeling, injury biomechanics, semiconductor devices, controls, electric machines and drives, or power electronics
• Experience applying AI/ML, optimization, or agentic systems to engineering or operational problems
• Familiarity