Research and Development - Defense Lab Support Intern

About the role#

Join General Motors Research & Development as a Summer Research Intern within the Vehicle Defense Research group. You will contribute to applied research involving military systems, defense technology, and vehicle platforms. Working alongside research scientists and engineers, you will evaluate emerging defense capabilities and help translate research concepts into practical applications for federal and defense customers. This role requires a commitment to the responsible handling of sensitive, proprietary, and potentially classified information.

What you'll do#

• Support research projects by gathering information, conducting analysis, and documenting methods and results.
• Research military systems, defense technologies, vehicle platforms, and emerging warfare trends.
• Assist with technical assessments of current and proposed R&D projects for defense applications.
• Support modeling, simulation, testing, experimentation, and evaluation activities.
• Collaborate with research scientists, engineers, program managers, and other technical stakeholders.
• Prepare technical presentations, research summaries, reports, and project documentation.
• Participate in technical reviews and communicate research progress, findings, and recommendations.
• Help identify opportunities to apply research outcomes to future GM products, systems, and defense programs.
• Support university, government, national laboratory, and industry research partnerships.
• Assist with identifying dual-use applications for technologies relevant to both civilian and military systems.
• Follow applicable requirements for classified information, export controls, intellectual property, and controlled unclassified information.
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and technically rigorous research environment.

What you'll need#

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, military science, national security, or a related technical or defense-focused field.
• Must be a current student.
• Ability to work full-time, 40 hours per week during the summer months.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and passion for military systems, defense technology, military operations, or related subjects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, research, and technical writing skills.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with scientists, engineers, military stakeholders, and program managers.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment and meet project milestones.
• Eligibility to obtain a security clearance at the Secret U.S. Security Clearance level.
• Preferred: Currently pursuing or planning to pursue a master’s degree or Ph.D. in a related field.
• Preferred: Prior research, coursework, project, internship, or military experience involving defense systems, high performance ground vehicles, simulation, or testing.
• Preferred: Familiarity with vehicle systems, defense acquisition, systems engineering, or technology transition.
• Preferred: Experience with programming, data analysis, modeling, simulation, numerical methods, or technical visualization.
• Preferred: Experience presenting technical work through publications, posters, conference presentations, or competitions.
• Preferred: Experience with vehicle performance, autonomous systems, robotics, controls, human-machine interaction, defense software, power systems, or automotive research.
• Preferred: Active U.S. Security Clearance as of the first day of work.

Location & details#

• Location: Warren, Michigan.
• Term: Summer 2027.
• Work Modality: Hybrid (expected to report to Warren, MI at least three times per week).
• Employment: Full-time.
• Sponsorship: GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role.
• Note: Start dates are May 24th and June 14th of 2027.