Electrical Hardware Engineer – Central Compute

generalmotors; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is transforming the transportation industry with SDV2 and a centralized computing platform. As a Hardware Engineer – Central Compute, you will help design, validate, and bring up high‑compute ECUs for automated driving and immersive digital experiences.

This role is ideal for early‑career engineers seeking growth in a world‑class automotive setting, collaborating with hardware, software, and manufacturing teams to meet automotive standards and drive robust hardware validation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field.
• 2–5 years hardware design, electronics engineering, or embedded systems experience.
• Solid understanding of digital electronics, microprocessors, and power supplies.
• Familiarity with high‑speed interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, USB, DDR) and PCB design concepts.
• Hands‑on lab experience with scopes, multimeters, power supplies, and logic analyzers.

Responsibilities

• Assist in schematic design, component selection, and circuit implementation for central compute ECUs.
• Perform electrical analysis including power distribution, signal integrity, thermal considerations, and high‑speed interface inputs.

Skills

Digital electronics

High-speed interfaces

Schematic capture

PCB design

Lab equipment

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Mentor Xpedition

Mathcad

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

The Role

General 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 (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: 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: 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

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.

Accommodations

General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.