Staff Software Engineer, Chassis Controls

Jobtailor; Milford (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Milford, Missouri seeks an experienced embedded software engineer to design, implement, and optimize real-time control software in C/C++ for automotive-grade systems. You will drive code quality, participate in architecture decisions, and collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams to improve developer productivity and platform reliability.

You have 8+ years of full-time experience in automotive or embedded domains, strong systems thinking, and a proven ability to lead initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in CS/CE/EE/Math or related field.
• 8+ years of full-time production software experience in automotive or embedded domains.
• Ability to independently identify important technical problems and deliver effective solutions with limited oversight.
• Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ for real-time control systems.
• Experience with vehicle architectures and serial communications (CAN/LIN/Ethernet).
• Proven track record of building tools or platforms that improve developer productivity.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to improve engineering effectiveness across tools and workflows.
• Design, develop, and deliver embedded controls software in C.
• Drive first-time quality across design, reviews, testing, and releases.
• Build tools, automation, and dashboards to optimize workflows.
• Partner with teams to implement durable structural improvements.
• Improve usability and discoverability of engineering systems.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and automated testing.
• Mentor engineers through code reviews and coaching.
• Lead technical forums to streamline tools and practices.
• Advise on the technology roadmap for tools and practices.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Real-time control

Systems thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Code reviews

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in CS/CE/EE/Math

Tools

Git/GitHub

Jira

DOORS

PRTS

Job description

Responsibilities

• Identify high-value opportunities to improve engineering effectiveness across tools, workflows, build processes, and the overall developer experience within VMEC Chassis Controls.
• Design, develop, and deliver embedded controls software in C, including requirements analysis, functional decomposition, implementation, and testing.
• Drive first-time quality at every step of the software development process, from design and code reviews through test strategy and release readiness.
• Build practical software solutions, tools, automation, and dashboards that simplify, unify, and optimize software development workflows for engineers at every level.
• Partner closely with teams to understand pain points and root causes, then implement durable structural improvements rather than surface-level fixes.
• Improve the usability, correctness, and discoverability of engineering systems, dashboards, and self-service tools.
• Contribute to and improve CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and validation strategies for platform software.
• Use Git/GitHub and code review best practices to maintain code quality, test coverage and traceability across a multi-team environment.
• Influence software design decisions across projects and products by engaging early with the SW architecture team and other key technical stakeholders to ensure architectural soundness.
• Work with SQAs to understand and anticipate architectural blocking rules, helping SW development teams minimize disruption and maintain delivery momentum.
• Serve as a domain expert and go-to resource for chassis controls software, helping engineers across the organization navigate complex technical questions.
• Contribute to the technology roadmap for tools, processes, and software practices, advising leadership on forward-looking strategy and innovation opportunities.
• Mentor engineers at all levels through code reviews, design guidance, one-on-one coaching, and leading by example.
• Lead technical forums across the organization to streamline tools, align practices, eliminate redundancy, and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Champion and lead software process development updates within GM's process tool "Stages".
• Teach and enable partner teams so that improvements remain sustainable after the initial work is complete.
• Drive initiatives from concept through implementation and adoption, ensuring solutions take hold and deliver lasting value.
• Support the team in delivering quality software on time for program milestones, maintaining awareness of delivery timelines and priorities.
• Work with a high degree of independence, owning technical execution end to end with limited oversight.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of relevant full-time experience, including delivering production software in the automotive industry or similarly complex embedded domains.
• Demonstrated ability to independently identify important technical problems and deliver effective solutions with limited oversight.
• Strong proficiency in embedded software development using C/C++ for real-time control systems.
• Experience with physics-based control algorithms, diagnostics strategies, and mechatronic systems.
• Proven track record of building tools, automation, or internal platforms that improve developer productivity or engineering workflows.
• Excellent systems thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to distinguish root causes from surface-level symptoms.
• Experience working across team boundaries and influencing outcomes without relying on organizational authority.
• Experience with software architecture and design for embedded controllers.
• Strong knowledge of automotive vehicle electrical architectures and serial data communications (CAN, LIN, Ethernet).
• Proficiency with GM software development tools and practices (Git/Github, Jira, DOORS, PRTS).
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to present complex technical content clearly to both engineers and leadership.