At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and automate CAD models for high-performance motorsports aerodynamics.
- Company: Join GM Motorsports, a leader in innovative automotive engineering.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vehicle performance in the thrilling world of motorsports.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Physics and CAD surfacing experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.
Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Concord, NC three times per week, at minimum.
The Role: As a CFD Surface Design Engineer at GM Motorsports, you will develop, maintain, and automate complex CAD assemblies that form the foundation of our high-fidelity aerodynamic simulations. Leveraging advanced CAD and scripting tools, you will ensure robust, parametric, and simulation-ready geometry to support rapid design iteration within GM’s Aerodynamics Group. In this role, you will work closely with CFD engineers to enable efficient mesh generation, reduce model preparation time, and improve consistency across full-vehicle and subsystem CFD studies. By integrating automated processes and scalable design practices, you will enhance the reliability and throughput of simulation-driven development. Collaboration is central to success in this position. You will partner with cross-functional teams across GM Motorsports and key external partners to align CAD strategies to advance CFD simulations, wind tunnel testing, and on-track implementation. Your contributions will directly impact the speed and accuracy of design decisions, helping translate design ideas into high fidelity CAD to increase vehicle performance in a fast-paced racing environment.
What You’ll Do:
- Develop and maintain clean, simulation-ready CAD geometry for use in CFD workflows across multiple platforms.
- Build and refine high-quality surface models with appropriate continuity to support accurate aerodynamic analysis.
- Organize and manage CAD assemblies with clear structure, naming conventions, and version control for efficient CFD use.
- Incorporate parametric design and automation features to enable rapid updates, configuration changes, and repeatable CFD workflows.
- Reconstruct and refine legacy, imported or scanned/point cloud geometry to meet internal CFD and aerodynamic standards.
- Optimize models for usability, ensuring they are easy to modify, update, and reuse across simulation studies.
- Identify and resolve geometry issues that negatively impact mesh quality, solver stability, or convergence.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate design intent into efficient, simulation-ready models and support iterative development cycles.
What You’ll Need (Required Qualifications):
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Physics, or related subjects.
- 2+ years of experience in CAD surfacing, aerodynamic development, or a related field.
- Advanced CAD surfacing skills in Siemens NX, CATIA, or equivalent software.
- Experience working with CFD or simulation-driven development workflows.
- Strong understanding of how geometry affects meshing, solver stability, and aerodynamic accuracy.
- Ability to produce fully watertight, simulation-ready geometry.
- Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organization in CAD data and model integrity.
- Strong communication and coordination skills to work effectively with engineering teams.
What Will Give you a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):
- Master’s Degree in Engineering, Physics, or related subjects.
- Experience reconstructing or refining legacy, scanned or imported geometry.
- Experience building automation into CAD assemblies to streamline updates, improve repeatability, and reduce manual effort across simulation workflows.
- Familiarity with surface interrogation tools such as zebra stripes, curvature combs, and reflection analysis.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.
- Passion for motorsports and understanding of vehicle performance engineering.
This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.
About GM: Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us: We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview: From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.): General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities.
Accommodations: General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities.
Motorsports CFD Surface Design Engineer employer: General Motors
At GM Motorsports, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to drive innovation in the fast-paced world of motorsports. With a strong focus on employee well-being and professional growth, we offer comprehensive benefits and opportunities for skill development, ensuring that every team member feels valued and supported in their career journey. Located in Concord, NC, our hybrid work model allows for flexibility while maintaining close-knit teamwork, making it an ideal environment for passionate individuals eager to make a meaningful impact in automotive design and performance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Motorsports CFD Surface Design Engineer
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with General Motors for a Motorsports CFD Surface Design Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Motorsports CFD Surface Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at General Motors, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At General Motors, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at General Motors
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with General Motors.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with General Motors. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like General Motors love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.