Electrical Hardware Engineer - Central Compute

General Motors; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing benefits

GM vehicle discounts

Job summary

General Motors in Sacramento seeks a Hardware Engineer – Central Compute to design, validate, and bring up high‑compute ECUs for ADAS and infotainment. You’ll define hardware requirements, analyze power, signal integrity, thermal performance, and layout for SoCs, PMICs, DDR, and PCIe interfaces.

The role requires 2–5 years in hardware design or embedded systems, hands‑on lab experience, and collaboration with hardware, software, and manufacturing teams while adhering to ISO 26262 and EMI/EMC

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or related field.
• 2–5 years of hardware design or embedded systems experience.
• Experience with PCB design and schematic capture.
• Familiarity with automotive standards and design for reliability is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support schematic design, component selection, and circuit implementation for central compute ECUs (ADAS/IVI).
• Perform electrical analysis including power distribution, signal integrity, thermal considerations, and high-speed digital interface layout inputs.
• Assist in defining hardware requirements and interface specifications for SoCs, PMICs, DDR memory, PCIe/Ethernet PHYs, power regulators, and safety components.
• Participate in board bring‑up activities, including smoke testing, power‑on sequencing, and debug of early prototype hardware.
• Execute bench‑level testing for signal integrity, voltage/current measurements, thermal performance, and functional validation.
• Work with Staff and Senior engineers on root‑cause analysis for hardware failures.
• Collaborate with silicon partners and internal engineering teams focused on Hardware, Software and/or Feature Development.
• Support coordination with software, systems, mechanical, EMC, manufacturing, and vehicle integration teams.
• Contribute to design reviews and documentation aligned with GM’s Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP).
• Ensure designs meet automotive standards including ISO 26262, AEC‑Q100/200, EMC/EMI, design robustness, and manufacturability expectations.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Problem solving

Hands-on hardware debugging

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

Mentor Xpedition

Mathcad

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job DescriptionThe RoleGeneral Motors is transforming the transportation industry through advanced electrical architectures, high-performance computing, and the integration of ADAS and infotainment capabilities. GM’s Software‑Defined Vehicle 2.0 (SDV2) platform is our next‑generation centralized computing architecture. At the heart of this transformation is an in‑house designed, liquid‑cooled central compute unit, which is going to enable faster development cycles, more efficient software updates and seamless scalability across every GM brand.As a Hardware Engineer – Central Compute, you will contribute to the design, development, and validation of next‑generation high‑compute ECUs that enable automated driving, vehicle intelligence, and immersive digital experiences.This role is ideal for early‑career engineers looking to grow within a world‑class automotive organization.

Key Responsibilities

Hardware Design & Analysis

Support schematic design, component selection, and circuit implementation for central compute ECUs (ADAS/IVI).Perform electrical analysis including power distribution, signal integrity, thermal considerations, and high-speed digital interface layout inputs.Assist in defining hardware requirements and interface specifications for SoCs, PMICs, DDR memory, PCIe/Ethernet PHYs, power regulators, and safety components.

Bring-Up & Validation

Participate in board bring‑up activities, including smoke testing, power‑on sequencing, and debug of early prototype hardware.

Execute bench‑level testing for signal integrity, voltage/current measurements, thermal performance, and functional validation.

Work with Staff and Senior engineers on root‑cause analysis for hardware failures.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Collaborate with silicon partners and internal engineering teams focused on Hardware, Software and/or Feature Development.

Support coordination with software, systems, mechanical, EMC, manufacturing, and vehicle integration teams.

Contribute to design reviews and documentation aligned with GM’s Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP).

Quality & Compliance

Ensure designs meet automotive standards including ISO 26262, AEC‑Q100/200, EMC/EMI, design robustness, and manufacturability expectations.

Assist with DFMEA creation, test coverage planning, and hardware validation traceability.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.

2‑5 years of experience in hardware design, electronics engineering, or embedded systems (internships/co‑ops count).

Basic knowledge of:

• Digital electronics, microprocessors, and power supplies
• High-speed interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, USB, DDR)
• Schematic capture and PCB design principles

Hands‑on experience using lab equipment

Hands‑on experience using lab equipment (oscilloscope, multimeter, power supplies, logic analyzers).

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with central compute, ADAS ECUs, infotainment, or embedded computing platforms.

Understanding of automotive electronics standards and design for reliability.

Exposure to EMC/EMI test practices or thermal analysis tools.

Experience with tools such as Microsoft Office, Mentor Xpedition, Mathcad or similar.

Effective communicator with willingness to learn in a fast‑paced environment.

Compensation:

Compensation: The compensation information is a good faith estimate only. It is based on what a successful applicant might be paid in accordance with applicable state laws. The actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position, as well as geography of the selected candidate.The salary range for this role is 90,000- 136,200. The actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.Bonus Potential: An incentive pay program offers payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.

Benefits:

Benefits:Benefits: GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.

About GM

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Benefits Overview

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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. 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.

Accommodations

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