Staff Software Engineer - Compute Systems Software (Embedded OS)General Motors • United States
Staff Software Engineer - Compute Systems Software (Embedded OS)
General Motors
- United States
- United States
Über
The
Vehicle Experiences Engine (VEE)
at GM is transforming how millions of people interact with their vehicles by building the software engines behind next-generation digital experiences. At the core of this transformation is the
Compute Systems Software
team - the group that delivers the foundational embedded platform for GM's software-defined vehicles.
As a
Staff Software Engineer, Compute Systems Software (Embedded OS)
, you will lead the design, development, and debugging of the embedded Linux platform that powers GM's in-vehicle compute systems. You'll work across the Linux kernel, board support packages (BSP), device drivers, and core frameworks on modern ARM-based SoCs, using C and classic UNIX/Linux tooling to deliver high-performance, highly reliable compute in production vehicles.
You'll report to the
Software Engineering Manager, Compute Systems Software
, and collaborate closely with partners across Android Automotive OS, multimedia, connectivity, and system frameworks to deliver platform capabilities that scale globally across GM's vehicle portfolio. This role requires strong technical leadership, broad system-level judgment, and the ability to influence architecture, execution, and engineering standards across teams.
About the Role
In this role, you will be a hands-on engineer working at the intersection of
embedded Linux, automotive compute, and classic UNIX tooling
.
You will:
· Own critical pieces of the compute platform, from kernel configuration and BSP integration to device drivers and system services for GM's digital cockpit and vehicle compute systems.
· Build and maintain
Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions
and associated build pipelines that ship on high-volume vehicle programs.
· Drive
system performance, optimization, and complex debugging
, using low-level tools (e.g., perf, ftrace, gdb, tracing/profiling) to diagnose issues across software and hardware boundaries.
· Work deeply in
Linux/UNIX environments
- living at the command line, automating workflows with shell and Python, and refining build systems (Make and related tools) to keep the platform reliable and reproducible.
· Partner with Qualcomm and other
silicon vendors
to bring up new SoCs, integrate vendor deliverables, and tune platform features for GM-specific use cases.
· Provide technical leadership within the team, mentoring others and helping drive engineering standards and best practices across the stack.
This role is
hybrid
, with regular onsite collaboration at a GM technical center, consistent with GM's hybrid work guidelines for engineering roles.
Responsibilities
Embedded Linux platform development
- Design, implement, andmaintainLinux kernel modules, device drivers, BSP components, and low-level system services for in-vehicle compute platforms.
Yocto
and build systems
- Configure and extend
Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions
;maintainbuild metadata, layers, and recipes used to produce production images.- Own and refine
build systems
to ensure deterministic, scalable builds for multiple programs and variants.
Performance, optimization, and debugging
- Profile andoptimizeCPU, memory, I/O, and thermal behavior across the embedded stack to meet stringent automotive performance and reliability requirements.- Lead complex debugging and root-cause analysis, using command-line tools, logs, and traces to resolve issues that span hardware, kernel, drivers, and user space.
Engineering systems & quality
- Contribute to and improve CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and validation strategies for platform software, ensuring high-quality, regression-resistant releases.- Use Git/GitHub and code review best practices tomaintaincode quality and traceability across a multi-team environment.
Technical leadership & collaboration
- Mentor and support other engineers through design reviews, code reviews, and hands-on pairing, helping grow embedded Linuxexpertiseacross the team.- Collaborate with Android Automotive OS, multimedia, connectivity, safety, and systems teams to deliver integrated solutions that work end-to-end in the vehicle.
Vendor and cross-company partnership
- Work directly with silicon vendors (e.g.,
Qualcomm
and other ARM SoC partners) to integrate new platforms, debug vendor issues, andoptimizeSoC capabilities for GM vehicles.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree
in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field; or equivalent practical experience.
10+ years
of professional experience in
embedded, systems, or kernel-level software development
, including delivering production software in the automotive industry or similarly complex embedded domains.
Deep expertise with
embedded Linux
on ARM-based SoCs, including several of:
Linux kernel subsystems, kernel configuration, and low-level system behavior
Device driver development and debugging
BSP integration, bootloaders, board bring-up, and device-tree configuration
Hardware abstraction and enablement for new boards and peripherals
Strong hands-on experience with
Yocto
(or comparable embedded Linux build systems) and a track record of shipping
commercial embedded Linux deployments
.
Demonstrated strength in
system performance, optimization, and complex debugging
, with the ability to lead root-cause analysis across hardware, kernel, drivers, middleware, and user space.
Strong experience with
build systems and development tooling
, including:
Make-based build flows and associated tooling
Git/GitHub and high-quality code review practices
CI/CD
pipelines, automated testing, and release-quality engineering for platform software
Core languages:
strong proficiency in
C
, plus practical experience with
Make
,
Python
, and
shell scripting
(e.g., Bash) for automation, tooling, and debugging.
Demonstrated
technical leadership
through architecture direction, mentoring, design and code reviews, and driving execution across cross-functional teams.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence technical decisions, align partner teams, and explain complex system-level topics clearly.
Experience working directly with
silicon vendors
or strategic platform partners (e.g., Qualcomm) to integrate deliverables, resolve issues, and optimize platform capabilities.
Desired Skills
Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field.
Experience contributing to or upstreaming changes in the
Linux kernel
or related open-source projects.
Familiarity with
Android Automotive OS
, HAL integration, and multimedia pipelines (audio, video, camera, graphics).
Exposure to
automotive safety
concepts (e.g., ISO 26262, ASIL, safety islands, health monitoring frameworks).
Deep comfort working in
Linux/UNIX command-line environments
, using classic tooling (shell, core utilities, gdb, perf, strace, etc.) to diagnose and resolve issues in complex systems.
Demonstrated
technical leadership
: mentoring peers, leading cross-team debugging efforts, and driving platform-wide improvements in reliability, performance, and developer experience.
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 the California Bay Area.
The base salary range for this role is $217,000 and $275,000. 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.
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}.
This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.
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.
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Sprachkenntnisse
- English
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