2027 Summer Intern Research and Development Physical Metallurgist (Steels)

Job Description

The Role:

As a valued Physical Metallurgist in theMechanics Materials and Process Research Lab at General Motors Research and Development you will innovate in steel metallurgy for next-generation vehicle and manufacturing applications. You will propose new research directions establish technical research plans and lead collaborative studies spanning alloy design thermo-mechanical processing heat treatment microstructure development characterization and performance validation.

You will generate new insights into the relationships among steel composition processing history phase transformations microstructure mechanical properties durability joining behavior formability and manufacturability. Your work will guide experimental efforts accelerate materials down-selection and help translate metallurgical research into practical solutions for vehicle structures closures chassis systems safety components and manufacturing processes. You will document and communicate results through high-quality technical reports external publications presentations and records of invention.

What Youll Do:

• Plan and execute collaborative research in physical metallurgy and ferrous materials generating new knowledge and enabling innovative steel solutions.

• Develop and apply compositionprocessstructureproperty relationships for advanced steels and steel-based material systems.

• Investigate phase transformations recrystallization precipitation recovery grain refinement hardenability residual stress and damage mechanisms.

• Design and evaluate thermo-mechanical processing and heat-treatment strategies including rolling forging annealing quenching tempering aging and press hardening.

• Characterize steel microstructures and defects using appropriate optical electron diffraction chemical thermal and mechanical methods.

• Evaluate tensile fatigue fracture impact formability wear corrosion and other performance characteristics as needed for the application.

• Partner closely with manufacturing and engineering teams to address forming joining coating corrosion dimensional stability and production-readiness challenges.

• Connect experimental observations with thermodynamic kinetic computational and data-driven models when appropriate.

• Drive internal and external collaborations with GM engineering teams universities suppliers national laboratories and research partners.

• Maintain awareness of the state of the art in physical metallurgy advanced high-strength steels steel processing characterization and related disciplines.

• Prepare timely high-quality technical reports presentations publications and invention disclosures to communicate research outcomes.

• Generate intellectual property to protect new inventions and research results.

• Assist and mentor other employees in accomplishing project and research goals.

Required Qualifications:

• Pursuit of an Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in one of the following areas:Materials Science and Engineering Metallurgical Engineering Physics Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.

• Must be a current student

• Strong foundation in physical metallurgy ironcarbon metallurgy phase diagrams phase transformations kinetics crystallography and structureproperty relationships.

• Experience with steels such as advanced high-strength steels ultra-high-strength steels high-strength low-alloy steels stainless steels electrical steels press-hardening steels or related ferrous alloys.

• Experience with thermo-mechanical processing and heat treatment including rolling forging annealing quenching tempering aging or press hardening.

• Experience with metallographic preparation and characterization using techniques such as optical microscopy SEM EDS EBSD X-ray diffraction hardness testing dilatometry or related methods.

• Experience designing conducting and interpreting mechanical or durability testing including tensile fatigue fracture impact formability or corrosion testing.

• Ability to connect alloy chemistry processing conditions microstructure and performance using rigorous scientific methods.

• Experience working in multidisciplinary research teams.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to work effectively with GM internal and external collaborators.
• Able to work fulltime 40 hours per week during the summer months

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. strongly preferred.

• Experience with one or more of the following:

• Advanced high-strength steels third-generation steels press-hardening steels dual-phase steels martensitic steels bainitic steels TRIP steels TWIP steels or other emerging steel grades.

• Thermo-mechanical processing controlled rolling recrystallization control precipitation strengthening transformation control or grain-size engineering.

• CALPHAD thermodynamic and kinetic modeling Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) finite-element simulation or process modeling.

• Advanced characterization of crystallographic texture inclusions precipitates retained austenite martensite bainite weld zones or coating interfaces.

• Steel forming stamping roll forming forging welding joining coating galvanizing or additive manufacturing.

• Corrosion hydrogen effects fatigue fracture crash performance lightweighting or durability of steel components.

• Scientific programming data analysis machine learning or materials informatics using Python MATLAB C/C or similar tools.

• Experience coupling metallurgical predictions with experimental validation and engineering qualification.

• Demonstrated publication record and/or intellectual property generation.

• Experience transitioning metallurgical insights into applied engineering manufacturing or production solutions.

• Knowledge of design-for-manufacturing steel sustainability recycled content critical-materials considerations or life-cycle performance.

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).

The position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen U.S. permanent resident asylee or refugee).

Work Arrangement:

Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren MI three times per week at minimum or other frequency dictated by the business.

GMwill provide aone-time lumpsum taxable stipend payment to eligible students selected for the2027Student Program - to help facilitate administration of relocation benefits please apply using the permanent address you would move from.

Start dates for this internship role are May 24th & June 14th of 2027.

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