Senior Systems Engineer

General Motors LLC; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 153,000 - 234,000; 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 and more

Job summary

General Motors is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead system-level decisions for multi-modality sensor suites including camera, radar, lidar, and more. You will work across sensing, embedded software, vehicle platforms, and autonomy software to ensure technically sound solutions ready for production.

The role requires 5+ years in a sensor-intensive field with strong system engineering skills and experience with sensor integration, MATLAB, and Python for data analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Electrical, Software, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in sensor-intensive systems engineering or architecture.
• Experience with sensor modalities and integration.
• Experience with requirements development and validation.
• Experience with MATLAB or Python for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Execute system-level trade studies for multi-modality sensor designs.
• Develop performance specs for sensors and assess risk.
• Collaborate with simulation, vehicle integration, perception, and validation teams.
• Document decisions, trade-offs, and deliverables.

Skills

Sensor systems

Systems engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Signal processing basics

ML basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Job Description General Motors is developing hands-off and eyes-off autonomous driving systems intended for broad deployment across consumer vehicles. As part of this effort, GM is investing in sensors and architectures that can be integrated, validated, and operated reliably at scale across diverse vehicle programs and operating environments. We are seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to join the AV team to contribute to defining how autonomous sensing systems are architected and integrated across GM’s autonomy programs. This role focuses on system‑level decisions at the intersection of sensors, embedded software, vehicle platforms, and autonomy software, ensuring that sensing solutions are technically sound, aligned with product intent, and executable in production. In this position, you will perform system‑level trade studies and support the definition of multi-modality sensor suites spanning camera, radar, lidar, and more. You will work closely with AI/ML, platform software, and vehicle integration teams to address real engineering challenges. The role is intended for engineers who are comfortable operating with autonomy, applying first‑principles and physics-based analysis, and delivering robust technical contributions as systems mature from early development into deployed solutions.

What You’ll Do

• Execute system-level trade studies for the design of multi-modality sensor systems supported by detailed modeling of performance and AV behavioral impacts
• Develop detailed performance specifications for sensors supported by a strong understanding of sensor physics and signal processing. Assess performance against product needs to assess risk, quantify impact, and drive continuous improvement
• Work closely with cross-functional stakeholders such as simulation, vehicle integration, perception, localization, and validation teams to manage complex interdependencies. Clearly document technical decisions, trade‑offs, and deliverables

Your Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Electrical, Software, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Previous work equivalent experience
• Experience supporting system architecture, integration, and cross‑domain technical initiatives.
• Experience working with sensing systems (camera, radar, lidar, or similar), their usage, and integration.
• 5+ years of experience in a sensor intensive field, systems engineering/architecture, autonomy, or other related field.
• Experience in requirements development, interface definition, integration, and validation.
• Technical depth in signal processing, link analysis, or ML across at least one relevant sensing modality.
• Understanding of the challenges of self‑driving, and how those map to sensor needs
• Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively in complex problem spaces and collaborate across teams.
• Experience with Matlab, Python, or other language to support data analysis and analysis tooling development.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience working on L4 (or equivalent) autonomous vehicle programs or advanced remote sensing platforms.
• Experience developing, debugging, or integrating embedded or systems‑level software.
• Significant experience with automotive autonomy focused lidars and/or radars.
• Experience with requirements management tools such as JAMA or DNG.
• Experience with system/component validation, including vehicle testing, HIL/SIL, simulation, and large‑scale data analysis.

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 153,200 to 234,100. 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

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}. The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role. Relocation benefits are available for candidates who qualify under company policy.

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.

Learn more about:

Our Company Our Culture How we hire Our diverse team of employees bring their collective passion for engineering, technology and design to deliver on our vision of a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion.

Explore our global locations

We are determined to lead change for the world through technology, ingenuity and harnessing the creativity of our diverse team. Join us to help lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all by becoming a member of GM’s Talent Community (beamery.com).