2026 Fall Intern - Research & Development: Materials Science / Metallurgical Engineering

R&D Intern

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 in materials science, metallurgical engineering, and surface science to support next-generation automotive technologies.

You will work with technical leaders across GM Research and Development to explore innovative approaches that improve material performance, durability, and design insight across engineering applications. Our culture of innovation gives you the opportunity to contribute to impactful research, support development of advanced materials solutions, and help shape future manufacturing and vehicle technologies.

What You Will Do:

• Conduct research and/or experiments to collect required data and validate research ideas
• Investigate material root causes of premature failure in additively manufactured die inserts and related systems
• Perform fracture surface analysis, microstructural characterization, and corrosion layer evaluation to assess material behavior and failure mechanisms
• Support laboratory testing efforts to identify opportunities to improve fatigue life and durability in additively manufactured tool steels
• Contribute to research in materials science, metallurgical engineering, surface science, and materials discovery
• 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 Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related science/engineering field
• Strong foundation in materials characterization, failure analysis, metallurgy, corrosion, or surface science
• Experience with laboratory research methods and data analysis
• 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 materials science, metallurgical engineering, fracture analysis, corrosion, or surface characterization
• Experience with additively manufactured materials, tool steels, or durability and fatigue testing
• Familiarity with microscopy, microstructural analysis, surface analysis techniques, or other advanced characterization methods
• Experience supporting materials discovery, material selection, or process-structure-property investigations
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical findings into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management skills to effectively collaborate with varying levels of the organization as needed
• Demonstrates leadership in field of study, extra-curricular activities, or service organizations
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, especially the ability to synthesize large amounts of data involving multiple variables into comprehensive, impactful insights
• Willingness to ask questions, take initiative, and be inventive
• Emerging partnership and teamwork skills and ability to learn from and share knowledge with co-workers in a rapidly moving environment
• High level of integrity, ability to deal with ambiguity, and takes initiative/self-directed
• Evidence of strong character with integrity, honesty, accountability, and trust