General Motors

AV Platform OS Staff SW Engineer

General Motors • $185K — $304K *
Sunnyvale, CA 94087Hybrid
Manufacturing & Automotive
11 - 15 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12+ years of experience in embedded systems, platform OS, BSP, or low-level systems software development.
  • Strong hands-on experience with Linux, QNX, or other embedded/POSIX operating systems.
  • Proficient in Embedded C/C++ development for low-level system software.
  • Experience in platform OS debugging, including boot issues and device bring-up.
  • Solid understanding of embedded OS architecture and system startup flows.
  • Experience with board bring-up and BSP integration on ARM or x86-based SoCs.
  • Strong collaboration and technical leadership skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead Linux/QNX platform OS development and integration for Super Cruise programs.
  • Own platform BSP bring-up, integration, and debugging in embedded environments.
  • Design and maintain low-level platform services and system daemons.
  • Define and maintain aspects of platform OS architecture for performance and reliability.
  • Develop software in Embedded C/C++ for OS components and drivers.
  • Drive board and platform bring-up for Super Cruise hardware.
  • Debug cross-layer issues in systems using various tools and techniques.

Benefits

  • Variety of health and wellbeing programs including medical, dental, and vision options.
  • Flexible Savings Accounts and Health Savings Account available.
  • Retirement savings plan with additional life and accident benefits.
  • Paid vacation and holidays, along with tuition assistance programs.
  • Employee assistance program and discounts on GM vehicles.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Job Summary

The AV Platform team designs, develops, and maintains the foundational embedded software platform for GM's software-defined vehicle (SDV) and AV solutions, including operating systems, board support packages (BSP), drivers, and the core software stack for high-compute SoCs.

The Staff Software Engineer - Platform OS will provide technical leadership for Linux/QNX-based platform OS development on current production Super Cruise programs, with primary focus on platform OS debugging, BSP integration, low-level system services, kernel and user-space interfaces, and robust embedded system architecture. This role will lead low-level platform bring-up, cross-layer debugging, and integration of core OS services required to deliver a robust, secure, and production-ready compute platform for vehicle programs.

What You'll Do

  • Lead Linux/QNX platform OS development and integration for current production Super Cruise programs, ensuring BSP, drivers, platform services, middleware, and core OS components operate as a cohesive, production-ready system.


  • Own platform BSP bring-up, integration, and debugging across Linux- and QNX-based environments, including boot flow, startup, board configuration, peripheral enablement, and low-level system initialization.


  • Design, implement, and maintain low-level platform services, system daemons, kernel-adjacent components, and resource-managed interfaces for custom hardware and core platform functionality.


  • Define and maintain key aspects of platform OS architecture, including process and service partitioning, IPC mechanisms, scheduling behavior, interrupt handling, and system resiliency.


  • Develop software in Embedded C/C++ for low-level operating system components, board support package layers, hardware abstraction, drivers, and system libraries.


  • Drive board and platform bring-up for current production of Super Cruise hardware, including clocks, memory, storage, networking, PCIe, UART, SPI, I2C, and other platform peripherals.


  • Debug complex cross-layer issues spanning bootloaders, kernels, OS services, drivers, middleware, and applications using logs, traces, dumps, and lab tools.


  • Use platform debugging and performance tools such as gdb, core dumps, JTAG, serial consoles, tracing, logging, and bench instrumentation to isolate and resolve system issues across Linux and QNX environments.


  • Define and maintain clean interfaces between OS/BSP, platform middleware, vehicle software layers, and application teams.


  • Support and improve platform reliability through requirements generation, automated testing, CI/CD integration, issue tracking, code reviews, and regression validation.


  • Partner closely with silicon vendors, suppliers, security teams, validation teams, and release teams to review designs, close interface gaps, and ensure program execution.


  • Drive technical direction for platform OS architecture, including scalability, performance, fault isolation, maintainability, and debug-ability.


  • Mentor engineers on platform OS internals, BSP architecture, bring-up strategy, debugging techniques, and integration best practices.


  • Provide regular technical status, risks, and mitigation plans to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.


  • Perform other related duties as assigned.


Basic Qualifications

  • 12+ years of experience in embedded systems, platform OS, BSP, or low-level systems software development.


  • Strong hands-on experience with Linux, QNX, or other embedded/POSIX operating systems in production or advanced embedded development environments.


  • Strong proficiency in Embedded C/C++ development for low-level system software.


  • Experience with platform OS debugging, including analysis of boot issues, process or service failures, IPC or synchronization issues, memory or timing issues, and device bring-up problems.


  • Experience designing and implementing low-level platform services, system daemons, or resource-managed interfaces.


  • Solid understanding of embedded OS architecture, including process isolation, scheduling, interrupts, IPC, services, and system startup flows.


  • Experience with board bring-up and BSP integration on ARM or x86-based SoCs.


  • Experience with bootloaders, startup flows, hardware initialization, and board configuration for embedded platforms.


  • Demonstrated experience debugging issues across multiple layers of the stack, including bootloaders, kernels, OS services, drivers, middleware, and applications.


  • Experience building, testing, and shipping production-quality embedded/POSIX systems.


  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines, build systems, and integration of workflows in large multi-team environments.


  • Familiarity with common hardware interfaces and protocols such as PCIe, Ethernet, CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, USB, and storage subsystems.


  • Strong collaboration, communication, and technical leadership skills.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with current production Super Cruise programs or similar high-compute automotive SoC platforms.


  • Experience integrating Linux and/or QNX BSPs, platform software drops, supplier deliverables, and internal baselines.


  • Experience in automotive, ADAS, AV, robotics, or other safety-critical systems.


  • Familiarity with ROS or mixed-OS environments involving Linux, QNX, or RTOS systems.


  • Experience with secure boot, signed images, system hardening, HSM integration, and OTA/software update flows.


  • Experience with system performance tuning across CPU, memory, latency, throughput, and I/O.


  • Experience with multi-core, SMP, or AMP embedded system configurations.


  • Experience supporting validation on benches, HIL rigs, and target ECUs.


  • Experience influencing supplier technical direction and reviewing low-level architecture and implementation quality.


  • Experience mentoring senior and mid-level engineers in platform OS and debugging disciplines.


Success Profile

A successful candidate for this role is a strong low-level systems engineer who can move effectively between architecture, implementation, debugging, integration, and technical leadership. They bring deep expertise in Linux and/or QNX platform software, are comfortable owning difficult platform issues on current production Super Cruise programs, and can guide teams through the complexity of building reliable, secure, high-performance vehicle compute software.

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 $185,600 to $304,800. 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.


Benefits:
  • 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 General Motors

General Motors Company engages in the manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. It offers sedans, crossovers, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, coupes, sports/convertibles and hybrid vehicles, hatchbacks/wagons, and vans, as well as mini cars in India. The company also provides parts and accessories, such as iPod and MP3 compatibility, mobility accessories, performance parts, AC parts and services, and merchandise. In addition, it offers vehicle safety, security, and information services. The company provides used vehicles. It offers its products through dealers and distributors. General Motors Company was formerly known as NGMCO, Inc. and changed its name to General Motors Company in July 2009. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. It operates manufacturing facilities in India, the United States, and Canada. General Motors Company operates as a subsidiary of the United States Department of The Treasury. General Motors led global vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years from 1931 through 2007, longer than any other automaker, and is currently among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales. General Motors acts in most countries outside the USA via wholly-owned subsidiaries but operates in China through 10 joint ventures. GM's OnStar subsidiary provides vehicle safety, security, and information services. In 2009, General Motors shed several brands, closing Saturn, Pontiac, and Hummer, and emerged from a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization. In 2010, GM made an initial public offering IPOs to date and returned to profitability later that year.

General Motors Careers

Join the dynamic team at General Motors, a global leader in automotive innovation and technology. At General Motors, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career forward while contributing to a legacy of engineering excellence.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career with General Motors to drive the future of mobility. Our team is dedicated to redefining the automotive landscape through innovation and leadership in electric vehicles and sustainable solutions. By joining us, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, teamwork, and continuous professional growth.

Transform Your Career

General Motors is not just a company; it's a community where you can grow your skills alongside the best in the industry. Our leadership is committed to providing every employee—from interns to senior professionals—with opportunities for career advancement, leadership development, and diversity training.

Innovate and Lead

At General Motors, innovation is at the core of everything we do. From research and development to manufacturing, our teams work collaboratively to lead the industry with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. We encourage our employees to think big and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Join Our Global Team

As part of our global workforce, you will collaborate with talented individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of transportation. General Motors offers a variety of career paths in engineering, design, IT, marketing, and more. With over 155,000 employees worldwide, our network provides expansive opportunities for networking and professional development.

Internship Programs and Employment Benefits

Start your career journey with a General Motors internship, where you can apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects. Our internships provide a robust foundation in the automotive industry, with mentorship from experienced leaders. Full-time employees enjoy a wealth of benefits, including comprehensive health care, retirement plans, and performance bonuses, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded.

Explore Job Opportunities

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, General Motors offers positions that leverage your unique skills. Our hiring process is designed to identify and nurture talent, focusing on aligning your capabilities with the right opportunities for growth within the company.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. At General Motors, we look for innovative, driven, and solution-oriented team players. Explore the possibilities that await you in a career at General Motors.

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Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities available at General Motors. Embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and leadership at General Motors. Shape your future in an environment that fosters diversity, learning, and the pursuit of excellence. Join us and redefine the roads of tomorrow.
Learn more about General Motors
Size
157,000 employees
Market Cap
$46.9 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ
GM
* Ladders Estimates

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