General Motors

Senior Sensor Validation Engineer

General Motors • $153K — $234K *
Warren, MI 48089In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field; equivalent work experience accepted
  • 5+ years of experience in sensor validation, characterization, or test engineering for optical, lidar, or radar systems
  • Proven ability to design vehicle-level validation tests
  • Experience with L4 autonomous vehicles and their validation needs
  • Strong knowledge of sensor physics principles, including optics and signal processing
  • Hands-on experience with benchtop characterization and on-vehicle validation
  • Proficiency in data analysis and programming languages like Python or MATLAB.

Responsibilities

  • Develop comprehensive characterization plans for next-gen sensors including camera, lidar, and radar
  • Create vehicle validation tests to ensure performance and safety in autonomous driving
  • Plan and execute on-vehicle data collection campaigns on various terrains
  • Evaluate low-level sensor performance metrics such as SNR and dynamic range
  • Transition validated sensor modules from bench setups to vehicle platforms
  • Collaborate with perception and hardware design teams to address system-level issues

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellbeing programs including medical, dental, and vision
  • Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Retirement savings plan and life insurance
  • Paid vacation and holidays
  • Tuition assistance programs and employee assistance program
  • GM vehicle discounts
  • Relocation benefits available for qualifying candidates
Full Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking a Senior Sensor Validation Engineer with deep expertise in sensor physics and hands-on validation methodologies. In this role, you will bridge the gap between low-level hardware performance and high-level vehicle integration. You will develop sensor characterization plans to assess detailed characteristics of sensors, evaluate sensor response, and drive on-vehicle validation campaigns to ensure robust perception across all driving modalities.


You’ll have the opportunity to work cross-functionally with hardware, vehicle, perception, simulation, and other stakeholders to develop, execute, and analyze validation campaigns. This includes the development of vehicle level campaigns to ensure performance and functionality is meeting stakeholder and product needs.

benchtop setups, specialized test labs, and data-collection vehicles at our Detroit and Milford locations, with travel to external testing facilities as needed.

What You'll Do

  • Develop comprehensive characterization plans to inform the next generation of sensors, including camera, lidar, and radars with quantitative evaluation
  • Develop vehicle validation tests to ensure performance and safety across autonomous driving environments and behaviors
  • Plan and execute on-vehicle data collection campaigns on closed courses and public roads to evaluate sensor integration and performance
  • Evaluate low-level sensor performance metrics, including signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), dynamic range, optical distortion, point cloud density, and radar cross-section (RCS) accuracy
  • Transition validated sensor modules from bench setups to vehicle platforms, analyzing physical placement, field-of-view (FOV) overlap, keep-out zone (KOZ) constraints, and other metrics
  • Partner cross-functionally with perception, and hardware design teams to root cause system-level anomalies

Your Skills & Abilities

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Work equivalent experience
  • 5+ years of dedicated experience in sensor validation, characterization, or test engineering across optical, lidar, or radar systems
  • Demonstrated ability to design vehicle level validation tests
  • Experience with L4 (or equivalent) autonomous vehicles and associated behaviors, challenges, and validation needs
  • Strong domain knowledge of sensor physics principles (e.g., optics, electromagnetics, wave propagation, photonics, and signal processing)
  • Experience using a component-level test equipment and lab facilities, such as darkrooms, collimators, target boards, anechoic chambers, target generators or other related equipment
  • Hands-on experience conducting both benchtop characterization and on-vehicle validation, including data collection and physical integration constraints (FOV, KOZ, ISP tuning)
  • Understanding of sensor calibration, time synchronization (PTP/gPTP), and sensor fusion concepts
  • Proficiency in data analysis and programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for processing sensor data and evaluating metrics

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

  • Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) specializing in Optics, Electromagnetics, Physics, or Sensing Technologies
  • Experience with automated test bench design, darkroom setup, or customized sensor validation rigs
  • Knowledge of ISP development pipelines, radar signal processing algorithms, or lidar point cloud generation techniques
  • Experience supporting L4 autonomous driving sensor suites and perception stack integrations

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:

  • 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}. Relocation benefits are available for candidates who qualify under company policy. The position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

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.

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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.

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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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