Summer 2027 Intern - Computational Design Intern

Job Description

2027 Summer Intern - Computational Design

The Role:

General Motors Design is seeking a Computational Design Intern to support the development of innovative digital tools, workflows, and automotive design studies within a creative studio environment. This internship offers qualified candidates the opportunity to explore careers at GM while gaining practical experience at the intersection of computational design, digital sculpting, automotive form development, and advanced 3D modeling.

The intern will collaborate with Design, Sculpting, and Engineering teams to investigate new ways of generating, evaluating, and refining digital models of future automotive themes. The role provides exposure to aesthetic decision-making, design technology, production methods, program timing, and the materials and processes used in automotive digital development.

The Team:

The intern will collaborate with GM Design, Sculpting, and Engineering teams in an automotive design studio environment.

What You'll Do:

• Collaborate with Design, Sculpting, and Engineering teams to interpret sketches, design intent, and technical requirements.
• Develop digital studies, tools, and model variations for future automotive themes using computational design and digital-sculpting techniques.
• Explore parametric, procedural, generative, and automation-based approaches to support automotive form development and design iteration.
• Build and refine 3D models while maintaining an understanding of proportion, line, surface quality, and visual harmony.
• Translate creative concepts into clear digital workflows, prototypes, visualizations, or production-ready modeling studies.
• Support the development of reusable scripts, definitions, templates, or processes that improve design exploration and studio efficiency.
• Work within established digital modeling standards while helping evaluate emerging technologies and best practices.
• Present project progress, design studies, and finished work for Design leadership during midterm and final reviews.
• Support general computational design and sculpting assignments within the studio environment.
• Document methods, iterations, and results so that workflows can be communicated and reused by the broader team.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

• Pursuit of a bachelor's or advanced degree in Computational Design, Industrial Design, Product Design, Transportation Design, Architecture, Animation, Game Design, Computer Science, Fine Arts, Sculpture, Ceramics, or a related field.
• Must be graduating between December 2027 and May 2029.
• Able to work full-time, 40 hours per week during the summer months.
• Strong interest in the relationship between design, technology, geometry, and 3D form development.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a creative, iterative, and feedback-driven studio environment.
• Portfolio demonstrating 3D design, computational design, digital modeling, visual development, or related creative work.

What will give you a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience with computational, parametric, procedural, or generative design workflows.
• Experience with software such as Rhino/Grasshopper, Alias, Unigraphics/NX, or comparable 3D platforms.
• Programming or scripting experience in Python, C#, or a similar language.
• Basic understanding of automotive design and sculpting principles, including proportion, line, surface, volume, and reflection quality.
• Experience developing tools, scripts, plug-ins, procedural definitions, or automated modeling workflows.
• Understanding of digital sculpting, polygonal modeling, NURBS modeling, subdivision surfaces, or related 3D techniques.
• Ability to communicate design intent and technical concepts through sketches, diagrams, models, renderings, or presentations.
• Curiosity, initiative, and the ability to learn new software and workflows quickly.

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.)

Work Arrangement:

Onsite: This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to GM Global Technical Center on a full-time basis.

GM will provide a one-time lump sum taxable stipend payment to eligible students selected for the 2027 Student Program.

To help facilitate administration of relocation benefits if you are selected, please apply using the permanent address you would move from.

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

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. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

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.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

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. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

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