VDDV Modeling Technical Specialist

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.

Relocation:  

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate. 

The Role:  

The Global VDDV/CAE Modeling Technical Specialist serves as GM’s highest-level technical authority in 3D finite element modeling methods supporting structural, safety, and NVH development. This role defines enterprise modeling strategy, standards, and long-term capability direction across global VDDV and partner engineering organizations. The Technical Specialist delivers measurable business impact through improved model fidelity, efficiency, reuse, automation, and reduced dependence on physical development testing while advancing GM’s leadership in virtual engineering. 

What You'll Do (Responsibilities):  

• Serve as GM’s global technical authority and subject matter expert for subsystem- and vehicle-level 3D FEA modeling methods across multiple physics domains and solver environments, including LS-Dyna, OptiStruct, and Abaqus. 

• Define, govern, and continuously improve enterprise modeling standards, best practices, quality criteria, and technical roadmaps for CAE model development, integration, and reuse. 

• Set strategic technical direction for next-generation modeling capabilities, including pre-processing, process automation, simulation process and data management, and custom GM toolkits. 

• Lead resolution of the organization’s most complex and ambiguous modeling challenges, including issues that span multiple vehicle systems, functions, suppliers, or development programs. 

• Drive step-change improvements in simulation capability, model quality, throughput, and hardware avoidance by translating new tools, methods, and emerging technologies into scalable GM applications. 

• Influence and align global VDDV teams, technical specialists in adjacent functions, and cross-functional partners to close workflow gaps and enable integrated vehicle simulation. 

• Benchmark GM methods and tools against industry leaders, competitors, suppliers, and external technical forums to ensure GM remains at the forefront of virtual engineering. 

• Partner with software suppliers to shape product roadmaps and advance tool capabilities in areas that are strategically important to GM. 

• Mentor and elevate the technical capability of VDDV engineers through coaching, method development, technical reviews, and deployment of best-in-class modeling practices. 

• Serve as a technical review and escalation authority for global VDDV peer reviews and other critical technical decision forums. 

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):  

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a related engineering discipline. 

• 10+ years of industry and engineering experience with deep expertise in virtual engineering (CAE) tools, methods, and structural FEA modeling. 

• Recognized technical depth in CAE structural analysis tools such as ANSA/META, LS-Dyna, Abaqus, OptiStruct, Nastran, NX, HyperMesh, SimLab, or equivalent platforms. 

• Demonstrated record of defining and implementing technical standards, methods, or processes that are adopted across multiple teams or organizations. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead through technical influence, including aligning stakeholders across functions without direct organizational authority. 

• Proven ability to translate emerging technologies, tools, and methods into practical engineering applications that deliver measurable business results. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and mentor others in the deployment of advanced modeling methods and quality standards. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence senior technical and business stakeholders. 

• Proven pattern of professional behavior supported by strong business results and sustained technical leadership. 

• Ability to connect with and leverage external technical resources, including software suppliers, business consortia, SAE, and other industry partners. 

• Recognition among peers as a technical leader with broad credibility inside and beyond the immediate work group. 

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):  

• 15+ years of industry and engineering experience, including 5+ years in structures, safety, NVH, or closely related vehicle development disciplines. 

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a related field. 

• Master Black Belt certification. 

• Experience leading enterprise improvements in simulation process and data management, FEA pre-processing, process automation, or custom engineering toolkit development. 

• External technical visibility through supplier collaboration, technical consortia, conference participation, standards activity, or published technical work.