Senior ML Validation Engineer

General Motors; San Juan (PR); On-site; USD 145,000 - 261,000; 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 Senior ML Validation Research Engineer to lead applied machine learning research focused on verification and validation of ML components used in robotics and autonomous driving systems. The role emphasizes simulation-based evaluation, uncertainty modeling, and scenario coverage automation to enhance validation workflows.

The candidate will prototype research concepts into scalable tools, advance ML validation methods, and collaborate across Simulation, Safety, and

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in ML, Robotics, CS, or related field with relevant research experience.
• Experience with simulation-driven ML evaluation for robotics/autonomy.
• Proficiency in Python and ML frameworks (PyTorch/JAX/TensorFlow).
• Ability to translate complex ML ideas into functional prototypes and integrate into CI/CD pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Prototype research concepts into tools integrated into CI/CD and large-scale validation pipelines.
• Advance ML research for open and closed-loop simulation validation.
• Develop scenario generation, coverage-guided testing, and rare-event tooling.
• Create metrics, predictors, uncertainty and OOD detection methods for autonomy ML systems.
• Evaluate deep learning modules across perception, prediction, planning in realistic simulation.
• Collaborate with Simulation, Safety, Systems Engineering, and cross-functional partners.
• Author technical documentation and contribute to validation methodology standards.

Skills

Python

ML research

CI/CD pipelines

Simulation

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

MS in ML/CS/Robotics

PhD in ML/CS/Robotics

Tools

CARLA

SVL

DriveSim

Applied Intuition

Job description

Job Description

Senior ML Validation Research Engineer will lead applied machine learning research focused on improving verification and validation of ML components used in robotics and autonomous driving systems. This role centers on simulation-based evaluation, uncertainty modeling, scenario coverage automation, and transforming advanced ML research into working prototypes that enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and coverage of ML system validation.

Key Responsibilities

• Prototype research concepts into performant tools integrated into CI/CD and large-scale validation pipelines.
• Advance ML research for open and and closed loop simulation validation.
• Develop scenario generation, coverage-guided testing, and rare-event discovery tooling.
• Create robust metrics, predictors, uncertainty and Out-of-Distribution detection methods for autonomy ML systems.
• Evaluate deep learning modules across perception, prediction, and planning in realistic sensor and traffic simulation.
• Improve behavioral coverage and hazard-aligned metrics used in release readiness decision making.
• Collaborate with Simulation, Safety, Systems Engineering, and cross-functional partners.
• Author technical documentation, white papers, and contribute to validation methodology standards.

Research Focus Areas

• Scenario synthesis (diffusion models, generative models, counterfactuals)
• Coverage-based and fuzzing-based evaluation for autonomy behavior
• Uncertainty estimation, calibration, conformal prediction, OOD detection
• Robustness testing and perturbation frameworks
• Test suite prioritization, failure mining, and regression analysis

Required Qualifications

• MS + 5 years, or PhD + 3 years in ML, Robotics, Computer Science, or work related experience
• Experience with simulation-driven ML evaluation for robotics/autonomy
• Strong proficiency in Python, PyTorch/JAX/TensorFlow
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex ML research ideas into functional prototypes
• Experience integrating ML evaluation into CI/CD pipelines
• Proven research impact through published work, internal tools, or patents
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate cross-functionally

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with autonomy stacks (perception/prediction/planning).
• Familiarity with CARLA, SVL, DriveSim, Applied Intuition, or equivalent simulation platforms.
• Knowledge of Bayesian ML, causal inference, and sequential testing.
• Experience with digital twin systems and sensor simulation.
• Understanding of automotive safety standards (ISO 26262, UL 4600, SOTIF).
• Experience building validation dashboards and scorecards connected to release criteria.

Success Criteria

• Faster detection of ML regressions with improved test efficiency
• Improved uncertainty and robustness metrics that support release decisions
• Prototype tools integrated into production validation workflows
• Tangible contributions to simulation strategy, hazard coverage, and ML confidence scoring

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 compensation may not be representative for positions located outside of New York, Colorado, California, or Washington. The salary range for this role is $144,700- $261,300. 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

• 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

Benefits Overview

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