Senior Materials Engineer (Defense and Space)

Location: Warren, Michigan; hybrid, with reporting to the specified location at least 3 times per week.

Company

GM Defense develops integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, autonomy, and connectivity solutions for defense, security, and government markets as part of hirify.global.

What you will do

• Lead materials selection, qualification, specification, and application for integrated defense vehicles and space-related systems.
• Evaluate metallics, polymers, composites, coatings, surface treatments, high-temperature alloys, ceramics, additive manufacturing materials, and thermal protection systems.
• Resolve complex material and durability issues through failure analysis, root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and advanced research.
• Support DFMEA, DVP&R, design reviews, corrosion prevention, manufacturability, and compatibility of multi-material joints and assemblies.
• Develop qualification and test plans for high-g and blast loading, thermal cycling, vibration, vacuum, outgassing, radiation, and atomic oxygen environments.
• Partner with suppliers, government customers, test facilities, and cross-functional teams on PPAP, standards compliance, documentation, and production readiness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of materials engineering experience in automotive, defense, aerospace, space, or a related industry.
• Strong knowledge of metallic materials and/or polymers and composites, including processing and property relationships.
• Experience with material characterization and testing, including tensile, hardness, microstructure, corrosion, and coatings.
• Knowledge of GMW, ASTM, ISO, DoD, MIL, or aerospace/space materials standards and drawing/specification practices.
• Must be a U.S. Person: U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee.

Nice to have

• Experience with corrosion engineering, protective coatings, supplier and manufacturing plant support, or vehicle launches.
• Experience with MIL-STD, MIL-PRF, MIL-STD-810, NASA materials and process specifications, or related qualification approaches.
• Background in armor, survivability, thermal protection, radiation-tolerant materials, or space-environment applications.
• Advanced degree in Materials or a related field.
• Experience collaborating with U.S. Government or DoD customers on qualification reports, material allowables, and controlled specifications.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid work arrangement with regular on-site presence in Warren, Michigan.
• Travel required for less than 25% of the role.
• Competitive employee benefits and total rewards.
• Relocation benefits are not provided; relocation costs are the candidate’s responsibility.
• Immigration sponsorship is not available, including H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, or other company-supported work authorization.

Hiring process

• Role-related assessments and pre-employment screening may be required.