Virtual Propulsion Engineer – 3D Combustion, Airflow, Exhaust

General Motors

Engine Performance and Calibration 3D CFD Analyst at General Motors designing and optimizing combustion chamber geometries. Simulating combustion processes and collaborating with cross-functional teams for next-generation internal combustion engine technology development.

Posted 5/17/2026full-timePontiac • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

JavaPython

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design and optimize combustion chamber geometries for improved efficiency, power output, and emissions performance.
Simulate and interpret combustion processes, heat transfer, cold start behavior, and catalyst heating strategies.
Provide component-level and/or system-level design recommendations to Design Responsible Engineers based on interpretation of analysis results.
Exercise analytical models for fuel preparation and mixture motion analysis including equivalence ratio and wall wetting.
Model and analyze fuel injector behavior, spray atomization, spray-wall interaction, and mixture preparation.
Exercise analytical models for in-cylinder combustion analysis using 3D CFD codes such as Star-CD, Converge, AVL-Fire, or in-house proprietary software.
Enhance current standard analysis practices and/or tools to improve prediction fidelity and/or execution speed.
Participate in product design and development teams and regularly present analysis results to engineering peers and management.
Document analysis objectives, conclusions, results, and assumptions using a standard report template.
Cooperatively work with test engineers to enhance laboratory procedures to support the development of first-time capable analysis techniques.
Stays abreast of new technology and competitive products.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engine design, calibration, controls, and emissions compliance.
Validate simulation results with experimental data and iterate designs accordingly.
Document and present findings to technical leadership and project stakeholders.

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years experience with compressible CFD analysis of powertrain-related systems
BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related field with a focus on internal combustion engines or fluid dynamics
3+ years experience in CFD software (CONVERGE, STAR-CD, STAR-CCM+ ICS or similar) for gasoline or diesel mixture preparation / combustion simulation
Highly proficient with ProStar, ICEM, Hypermesh, Tgrid, or equivalent CFD meshing software
Highly proficient with Converge, Siemens CCM+ In-Cylinder Solution, StarCD, AVL Fire, or equivalent CFD software
Highly proficient with Ensight, ProStar or equivalent CFD post-processing software
MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering would be a competitive edge
Proficient in programming (Java, MATLAB, Python), workflow automation, and customization of tools surrounding main vendor software
Proficient in application of machine learning, data driven modeling techniques in context of engine simulations
Proficient with GT-Power, WAVE, AVL Boost, or equivalent 1D engine simulation software
Proficient engine testing, data acquisition and calibration tools (AVL Concerto, Indicom, ETAS)

Benefits

Comp & perks

From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

CFD analysiscombustion simulationfuel injector behaviormixture preparationprogrammingmachine learningdata driven modelingengine testingdata acquisitioncalibration

Soft Skills

analytical skillscollaborationcommunicationpresentation skillsdocumentationproblem-solvingteamworkadaptabilityattention to detailinnovation

Certifications

BS in Mechanical EngineeringBS in Aerospace EngineeringMS in Mechanical EngineeringPhD in Mechanical Engineering