Advanced Cell Engineer - Cell Diagnostics/Components

Job 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.

On-site: This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center (WBCIC) in Warren, Michigan on a full-time basis (5 days/week).

The Role:
At General Motors, we’re driving the future of mobility through cutting-edge battery innovation.  As an Advanced Cell Engineer, you’ll play a critical role in developing and refining cell technologies that power our next-generation electric vehicles.  This is a hands-on, on-site position at WBCIC, where you’ll collaborate with top-tier engineers and researchers to push the boundaries of energy storage.

We’re looking for a candidate who is passionate about advancing technologies in automotive battery cells and eager to continuously learn and grow.  You will be responsible for leveraging your technical experience to complement a talented team of advanced cell engineers, to develop and implement solutions for cell designs, and builds that meet project timelines.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities):

• Lead development and optimization of cell designs (e.g., electrode loading/balance, electrolyte systems, cell geometry) to meet performance, durability, safety, DC fast charge, and cost targets.
• Define and validate DC fast charge use cases, limits, and cell-level requirements; design test protocols to evaluate DCFC performance, heat generation, and degradation.
• Translate learnings into design rules and operating envelopes that can be applied across programs and manufacturing environments.
• Plan and execute advanced diagnostic work to understand performance gaps and degradation mechanisms (e.g., rate/temperature studies, DC fast charge cycling, aging protocols, impedance/OCV analysis, tear-downs, post-mortem characterization).
• Design and execute experiments using three-electrode (3E) or reference-electrode configurations to isolate anode and cathode behavior, track lithium inventory shifts, and identify limiting electrodes under aggressive conditions (e.g., DCFC, low temperature, high SOC storage).
• Use physico-chemical and electrochemical techniques (e.g., half-cell analysis, materials characterization) to identify limiting mechanisms and propose corrective actions at material, electrode, or cell level.
• Analyze complex multi-factor data sets (design, process, test) to extract key drivers and quantify trade-offs using appropriate statistical and modeling tools.
• Act as technical owner for assigned cell designs, material sets, or technology workstreams, ensuring robust requirements, validation plans, and documentation.
• Provide day-to-day technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers, co-ops, and technicians.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, cell design, pack/vehicle engineering, quality, purchasing, and supplier partners to solve issues and deliver program milestones.
• Contribute to and help maintain internal specifications, standards, and best practices for cell design, performance testing, DC fast charge evaluation, and diagnostic methods.
• Champion a strong safety culture in lab and pilot environments, ensuring compliance with GM safety policies and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities in test methods, workflows, instrumentation utilization, and data quality.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Material Science, Chemistry, or other related Science Degree 
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Advanced understanding of cell technology, including cell design and manufacturing processes
• Strong understanding of structure–property–process relationships in electrodes (porosity, tortuosity, particle morphology, binder systems, calendaring, etc.).
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to break down ambiguous technical problems into executable workstreams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical content to mixed technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional, fast-paced environments and to lead without f