Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Lab Technician at General Motors in Warren, Michigan, United States of America

Job description

• Job Description
• We are seeking a Mechanical & Thermal Engineering Technician to support the development, testing, and validation of in-house electronics designs (IHED) and next-generation vehicle technologies. This hands-on role is responsible for test setup, instrumentation, data collection, and execution of mechanical, thermal, and environmental testing of electronic modules and components.
• The successful candidate will work closely with Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Engineering teams to execute test plans with high quality and repeatability, enabling data-driven engineering decisions and product validation.

Responsibilities

• Test Setup & Execution
• Prepare and execute mechanical, thermal, and environmental tests on electronic modules, PCBs, and enclosures, including thermal characterization, vibration, mechanical shock, thermal cycling, and thermal shock testing.
• Set up fixtures, mounting hardware, and test configurations according to engineering requirements, drawings, and test procedures.
• Operate laboratory equipment including environmental chambers, vibration shakers, thermal chambers, wind tunnels, power supplies, and data acquisition systems.
• Perform pre-test and post-test functional verification and document test observations, issues, or anomalies.
• Instrumentation & Data Acquisition
• Install and configure thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, displacement sensors, and other instrumentation.
• Route and secure wiring and sensor connections to ensure reliable data collection and test integrity.
• Monitor and record temperature, strain, acceleration, and other performance metrics using data acquisition systems.
• Support calibration activities and verify instrumentation compliance with laboratory standards and procedures.
• Data Collection & Reporting
• Capture, organize, and maintain test data, photographs, setup documentation, and supporting records.
• Conduct basic data validation and trend analysis to identify anomalies and summarize findings for engineering teams.
• Assist in the creation of standardized test reports by compiling data, observations, and test results.
• Laboratory Operations
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment in accordance with GM safety requirements and established 5S practices.
• Support equipment maintenance, calibration coordination, troubleshooting, and readiness activities.
• Manage inventory of test fixtures, tooling, instrumentation, and consumable materials.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on testing efficiency, documentation quality, and workflow optimization.
• Collaboration
• Partner with Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Engineers to understand test objectives, requirements, and constraints.
• Communicate test progress, risks, and technical issues in a timely manner.
• Participate in test planning reviews, readiness assessments, and engineering discussions.

Requirements

• Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Technology.
• 5+ years of experience in an engineering, electronics, thermal, or validation lab.
• Experience with thermal, environmental, vibration, and shock testing.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and test procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and safety focus.
• Experience with automotive electronics, PCBs, or electronic control modules.
• Hands-on experience with thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, and DAQ systems.
• Familiarity with thermal management and validation testing.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, or similar product development environments.
• Strong communication, troubleshooting, and multitasking skills.

Skills

Required

• Strong attention to detail
• Organization
• Safety focus
• Strong communication
• Troubleshooting
• Multitasking
• Microsoft Office, especially Excel

Benefits

• 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.
• From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.