Senior Materials Engineer - Fluids and Lubricants

About the role

A Senior Materials Engineer – Global Energy, Fluids & Lubricants (GEFL) is responsible for the technical development, validation, approval, and issue resolution of fuels, lubricants, and functional fluids that support GM products, propulsion systems, and manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and application of fuels, lubricants, and fluids for GM vehicles, propulsion systems, and manufacturing processes
• Define material and fluid performance requirements, specifications, validation approaches, and approval criteria
• Lead factory fill, service fill, and specialty fluid activities across global vehicle and propulsion programs
• Provide technical leadership for design reviews, issue resolution, root cause investigations, and warranty prevention activities related to fuels, lubricants, and fluids
• Evaluate supplier technologies, formulations, and change requests to ensure performance, quality, cost, timing, and compliance objectives are achieved
• Partner with Engineering, Validation, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Legal, and Service teams to implement robust fluid and lubricant solutions
• Drive technical problem solving for field, plant, test, and program issues involving fuels, lubricants, and fluids
• Develop and maintain technical standards, test methods, best practices, and lessons learned
• Monitor industry, regulatory, and technology trends related to energy, fuels, lubricants, additives, and functional fluids
• Represent GM in technical discussions with suppliers, industry groups, standards bodies, and external partners
• Influence external industry direction through participation in standards bodies, technical forums, and key supplier engagement

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering
• 5+ years’ experience in fuels, lubricants, fluids, tribology, chemical systems, materials engineering, powertrain, electrification, or a related technical area
• Demonstrated technical problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively across functions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced product development environment
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical work with cross-functional visibility and business impact

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in science or engineering (preferred)
• 7+ years' experience with engine oils, transmission fluids, axle fluids, coolants, EV/EDU fluids, greases, washer fluids, fuels, or additive technologies (preferred)
• Knowledge of automotive standards, specifications, regulatory requirements, test development, and supplier approval processes (preferred)
• Experience leading cross-functional technical initiatives or serving as the primary technical focal point on complex issues (preferred)
• Experience engaging with external technical forums, standards organizations, or industry groups (preferred)

Skills & Abilities

• Lead complex technical work with significant cross-functional visibility and business impact
• Sets direction for standards, validation strategies, or supplier technical decisions within their area of responsibility
• Frequently serves as the primary technical contact for high-impact issues and emerging technologies
• Influences technical direction both within GM and externally through industry engagement

Pay

Competitive compensation package, including base salary, performance-based incentives, and benefits.

Schedule

Hybrid schedule, reporting to a specific location at least 3 times a week, with occasional travel up to 25%.