Senior Backend Architect, Distributed Mapping (Remote)

General Motors; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 185,100 - 335,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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

Job summary

General Motors is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for the Mapping Engineering team. You will lead the design and build of scalable distributed backend systems powering national-scale maps, collaborating with cross-functional groups to ensure data contracts and system interoperability.

The role is remote-based with hybrid expectations near GM hubs; you’ll mentor engineers, drive architectural decisions, and own end-to-end delivery while shaping roadmaps for scalable mapping pipelines.

Qualifications

• 5+ years designing, implementing, and operating scalable distributed systems in production.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Strong Python experience; knowledge of C++/TypeScript is a plus.
• Deep knowledge of databases, caching, data modeling, and SOA.
• Experience with major cloud platforms (GCP/AWS/Azure).
• Experience with data orchestration pipelines and ETL tools (Airflow).
• BS/MS/PhD in CS/EE or related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Proven cross-functional leadership and mentoring across teams.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement scalable, distributed backend systems for national-scale mapping.
• Design data pipelines and microservices for map ingestion, storage, and release.
• Own end-to-end delivery of high-impact projects with milestones and stakeholder alignment.
• Collaborate with Localization, Perception, Simulation, and Offboard teams to define data contracts.
• Drive engineering excellence with design reviews, testing, and documentation standards.
• Diagnose and resolve large-scale system issues across services and pipelines.
• Act as SME in distributed system design and backend architecture.
• Help shape tech roadmaps and hiring plans for distributed systems expertise.

Skills

Distributed backend systems

Python (plus C++, TS)

Cloud platforms

ETL/data pipelines

Leadership & mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE or related

MS/PhD in related field or equivalent experience

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Airflow

Job description

General Motors is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for the Mapping Engineering team. You will lead the design and build of scalable distributed backend systems powering national-scale maps, collaborating with cross-functional groups to ensure data contracts and system interoperability.

The role is remote-based with hybrid expectations near GM hubs; you’ll mentor engineers, drive architectural decisions, and own end-to-end delivery while shaping roadmaps for scalable mapping pipelines.