By Abbi Gabli, editorial intern, GM News
Some GMers are destined for the spotlight – but for Aaron Pfau and his team of engineers, their contributions to the vehicle experience take place behind the scenes.
A General Motors vehicle performance integration manager, Pfau’s role is to create a cohesive and enjoyable driving experience, integrating driving dynamics, comfort, and sound quality, all to create a seamless ride for GM’s customers.
Early passion
Pfau's passion for cars began with die-cast car models and evolved into rebuilding cars with his father at their home in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, about 160 miles north of Detroit.
Pfau knew early in his life that he wanted to work in the car business. In 2001, he began studying mechanical engineering at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan – a school formerly known as General Motors Institute. This experience allowed him to feed his passion for learning and furthered his unwavering career goals.
He always had his sights set on a job at GM, even at his first college co-op fair. He recalls that he approached the company’s booth that day and told the GM staff, “whatever the job is, I just want to work at GM.”
But nothing is that simple.
“I actually drove my project Corvette to the co-op fair. I was a huge GM nerd,” he says. “Unfortunately, I never got a call back. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, though, because I got to see another side of the industry while working with suppliers and competitors.”
Getting in the door
For the next decade, Pfau worked on interior components. In 2013, he reapplied to GM. This time, he was offered a job as a vehicle performance engineer in wind noise, sealing, and squeak and rattle. (GM engineers spend considerable time addressing unwanted noises that develop during vehicle production, working to eliminate unwanted buzzing, squeaking and rattling.)
“I pushed myself and stretched myself before I got to GM. And two things I learned: what my limits were, and how to avoid burnout,” Pfau says.
CAPTION: Aaron Pfau standing in front of a GMC Sierra EV AT4.
Pfau’s career took him to various performance engineering roles, including chassis controls, ride and handling, and lead for GM’s police programs. Pfau could be helping develop our vehicles’ off-roading capabilities at GM’s Milford Proving Ground outside Detroit one day, and testing police vehicle suspensions on the track at California’s Auto Club Speedway the next – something he found exhilarating.
“I probably would have been happy retiring in any of the roles I've had in vehicle performance,” Pfau says. “I’ve had so much fun in all of them.”
These experiences were instrumental in preparing Pfau for his role as lead development engineer for the GMC HUMMER EV, where he would tackle development of the off-road truck in record time with new virtual tools.
All about the feels
GM’s vehicle integration teams ensure each area of the vehicle is optimized for the customer, from chassis and drivetrain to interiors. Pfau’s expertise is ensuring a cohesive experience as the work of each integration team comes together in a finished product. At the end of the day, his job is to help empower the team to be their best, so customers can have a driving experience they didn’t even know they wanted.
“We don't release the parts, but we ‘own’ what the customer experiences when the parts come together,” he says. “We collaborate with Software and Services to ensure the parts combine seamlessly with software. We interface with nearly all of the hardware on the vehicle.”
At Milford, Pfau's team of experts focuses on areas like noise and vibration, energy/drivability, ride and handling, chassis controls, and charging. They approach testing from the customer’s perspective: How does the car feel, sound, and perform in various conditions? By using virtual tools, they can identify and fix issues early, helping to ensure the best experience for customers.
For instance, if Pfau and his team identify a squeak in front of the passenger, they collaborate with groups that handle the instrument panel, door trim, and sheet metal, all in an effort to help enhance the customer experience.
CAPTION: Aaron Pfau wake surfing with his daughter on White Lake in Michigan.
Off the clock
Outside of work, Pfau channels his adventurous spirit into hobbies like indoor skydiving, wake surfing, and off-roading in his truck with his wife and daughter. This adventurous energy translates into his job, pushing vehicles to their limits.
“There are times during testing where you are at the limit of the vehicle or beyond the limit. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable, and living in that environment,” Pfau explained.
That philosophy is vital to identifying vehicle issues. He recalls climbing a steep off-road grade with the left rear tire and right front tires in the air, while trying to sense the vehicle's behavior through the seat, steering wheel, and floor. At the same time, he’s monitoring data showing tires slipping, and has to communicate to the chassis control team so they can identify how to move torque to where traction is needed. All the while, he’s staring at the sky, with outside noises adding to the distraction.
“You don't necessarily learn everything you’re going to learn until you’re in the thick of it,” he says.
His advice? Keep growing and stay flexible.
“Embrace learning and the understanding that what you know today could very possibly be different tomorrow,” says Pfau. “You need to have an open mindset, love what you do, and push yourself. That’s how you land a more rewarding experience – both for you, and the customer.”
Abbi Gabli is a summer intern with GM News, studying Writing and Public Relations at Michigan State University, where she is a rising junior.
On the job highlights the unique and innovative roles of employees across GM, from the unusual to the unexpected. If you have someone to nominate for this series, drop us a line at news@gm.com.
Check out more from the series:
Some GMers are destined for the spotlight – but for Aaron Pfau and his team of engineers, their contributions to the vehicle experience take place behind the scenes.
A General Motors vehicle performance integration manager, Pfau’s role is to create a cohesive and enjoyable driving experience, integrating driving dynamics, comfort, and sound quality, all to create a seamless ride for GM’s customers.
Early passion
Pfau's passion for cars began with die-cast car models and evolved into rebuilding cars with his father at their home in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, about 160 miles north of Detroit.
Pfau knew early in his life that he wanted to work in the car business. In 2001, he began studying mechanical engineering at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan – a school formerly known as General Motors Institute. This experience allowed him to feed his passion for learning and furthered his unwavering career goals.
He always had his sights set on a job at GM, even at his first college co-op fair. He recalls that he approached the company’s booth that day and told the GM staff, “whatever the job is, I just want to work at GM.”
But nothing is that simple.
“I actually drove my project Corvette to the co-op fair. I was a huge GM nerd,” he says. “Unfortunately, I never got a call back. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, though, because I got to see another side of the industry while working with suppliers and competitors.”
Getting in the door
For the next decade, Pfau worked on interior components. In 2013, he reapplied to GM. This time, he was offered a job as a vehicle performance engineer in wind noise, sealing, and squeak and rattle. (GM engineers spend considerable time addressing unwanted noises that develop during vehicle production, working to eliminate unwanted buzzing, squeaking and rattling.)
“I pushed myself and stretched myself before I got to GM. And two things I learned: what my limits were, and how to avoid burnout,” Pfau says.
Pfau’s career took him to various performance engineering roles, including chassis controls, ride and handling, and lead for GM’s police programs. Pfau could be helping develop our vehicles’ off-roading capabilities at GM’s Milford Proving Ground outside Detroit one day, and testing police vehicle suspensions on the track at California’s Auto Club Speedway the next – something he found exhilarating.
“I probably would have been happy retiring in any of the roles I've had in vehicle performance,” Pfau says. “I’ve had so much fun in all of them.”
These experiences were instrumental in preparing Pfau for his role as lead development engineer for the GMC HUMMER EV, where he would tackle development of the off-road truck in record time with new virtual tools.
All about the feels
GM’s vehicle integration teams ensure each area of the vehicle is optimized for the customer, from chassis and drivetrain to interiors. Pfau’s expertise is ensuring a cohesive experience as the work of each integration team comes together in a finished product. At the end of the day, his job is to help empower the team to be their best, so customers can have a driving experience they didn’t even know they wanted.
“We don't release the parts, but we ‘own’ what the customer experiences when the parts come together,” he says. “We collaborate with Software and Services to ensure the parts combine seamlessly with software. We interface with nearly all of the hardware on the vehicle.”
At Milford, Pfau's team of experts focuses on areas like noise and vibration, energy/drivability, ride and handling, chassis controls, and charging. They approach testing from the customer’s perspective: How does the car feel, sound, and perform in various conditions? By using virtual tools, they can identify and fix issues early, helping to ensure the best experience for customers.
For instance, if Pfau and his team identify a squeak in front of the passenger, they collaborate with groups that handle the instrument panel, door trim, and sheet metal, all in an effort to help enhance the customer experience.
Off the clock
Outside of work, Pfau channels his adventurous spirit into hobbies like indoor skydiving, wake surfing, and off-roading in his truck with his wife and daughter. This adventurous energy translates into his job, pushing vehicles to their limits.
“There are times during testing where you are at the limit of the vehicle or beyond the limit. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable, and living in that environment,” Pfau explained.
That philosophy is vital to identifying vehicle issues. He recalls climbing a steep off-road grade with the left rear tire and right front tires in the air, while trying to sense the vehicle's behavior through the seat, steering wheel, and floor. At the same time, he’s monitoring data showing tires slipping, and has to communicate to the chassis control team so they can identify how to move torque to where traction is needed. All the while, he’s staring at the sky, with outside noises adding to the distraction.
“You don't necessarily learn everything you’re going to learn until you’re in the thick of it,” he says.
His advice? Keep growing and stay flexible.
“Embrace learning and the understanding that what you know today could very possibly be different tomorrow,” says Pfau. “You need to have an open mindset, love what you do, and push yourself. That’s how you land a more rewarding experience – both for you, and the customer.”
Abbi Gabli is a summer intern with GM News, studying Writing and Public Relations at Michigan State University, where she is a rising junior.
On the job highlights the unique and innovative roles of employees across GM, from the unusual to the unexpected. If you have someone to nominate for this series, drop us a line at news@gm.com.