Advanced Cell Engineer - Cell Diagnostics/Components

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.

• 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 formal authority.
• High level analytical ability where problems are unusual and complex

• Master's Degree, PhD, or other advanced certifications
• Hands-on experience with advanced diagnostic techniques (e.g., EIS, GITT, cyclic voltammetry, XRD, SEM/EDS, XPS, tomography, gas analysis).
• Direct experience with pouch cell design, build, and testing for automotive applications.
• Experience with high-nickel cathodes, silicon- or SiOx-containing anodes, or next-generation electrolyte systems.
• A passion for innovation and a collaborative mindset in a fast-paced environment