Staff Systems Engineer – AV Sensing Design

GM•Sunnyvale, CA

1d•$189,300 - $290,700•Hybrid

About The Position

General Motors is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership in defining how autonomous sensing systems are architected and integrated across its autonomy programs. The role focuses on sensor-suite design at the intersection of sensors, perception, behaviors, and vehicle integration, ensuring sensing solutions are technically sound, aligned with product intent, and executable in production. The engineer will lead system-level trade studies, perform detailed analysis of individual sensors, and define multimodality sensor suites spanning cameras, radar, lidar, and other technologies. The work involves collaboration with AI/ML, simulation, data collection, platform software, vehicle integration, and other teams to solve engineering challenges and bring clarity to ambiguous problem spaces through data-driven solutions. The position is hybrid, with the selected candidate expected to report to a specific location at least three times a week or at another frequency set by their manager. Relocation benefits are available to candidates who qualify under company policy. The stated salary range is $189,300 to $290,700, with potential incentive pay based on company, job-level, and individual performance. GM offers health and wellbeing programs and other benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
10 or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, including significant sensor-related experience.
Demonstrated leadership executing cross-functional initiatives in system architecture, data collection, analysis, integration, or related activities.
Experience developing multimodality sensing systems, such as camera, radar, or lidar systems, including their definition, use, and integration.
Technical depth in signal processing, link analysis, or machine learning across at least one relevant sensing modality.
Understanding of self-driving challenges and how they translate into sensor needs.
Ability to work effectively in ambiguous problem spaces and drive technical alignment across teams.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate detailed technical information.
Working knowledge of Matlab, Python, or other programming languages for data analysis and analysis-tool development.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
Experience developing systems for occupantless self-driving autonomous vehicles or advanced remote-sensing platforms.
Significant experience with automotive-autonomy-focused SPAD lidars and/or imaging-radar data and failure modes.
Experience developing and leading system or component validation strategy, including use-case definition, test-protocol development, vehicle testing, HIL/SIL, simulation, and/or large-scale data analysis.
Experience analyzing extrinsic calibration, pointing-accuracy tolerance stacks, and similar concepts.
Experience with autonomous-vehicle behavior modeling and assessment.
Experience developing sensor simulation models.

Responsibilities

Lead system-level trade studies for multimodality sensor-system design, supported by detailed modeling of performance and AV behavioral impacts.
Develop detailed sensor performance specifications using knowledge of sensor physics and signal processing.
Assess sensor performance against product needs, quantify risks and impacts, and drive continuous improvement.
Coordinate with simulation, vehicle integration, perception, localization, and validation stakeholders to manage complex interdependencies.
Document technical decisions, trade-offs, and deliverables clearly.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts.
Retirement savings plan.
Sickness and accident benefits.
Life insurance.
Paid vacation and holidays.
Tuition assistance programs.
Employee assistance program.
GM vehicle discounts.
Incentive pay program with potential payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.
Relocation benefits for candidates who qualify under company policy.