General Motors

Senior Software Engineer - Motion Planning, Secondary Driving System

General Motors • $170K — $261K *
Sunnyvale, CA 94087In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or related field; or equivalent experience.
  • 3+ years in software engineering for robotics, autonomous vehicles, or real-time/control systems.
  • Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++14/17 or later) and familiarity with Python for tooling and data analysis.
  • Experience in motion planning and controls, including trajectory generation and feedback control design.
  • Experience integrating with perception and prediction pipelines, even if focused on planning and controls.
  • Proven track record of delivering reliable autonomous or robotics software under latency/compute constraints.
  • Strong communication skills for cross-disciplinary collaboration and clarity in technical discussions.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and optimize production-grade C++ software for the SDS stack, integrating ML-based perception with planners and controllers.
  • Design and implement planning and controls algorithms for lane-keeping, obstacle avoidance, and controlled stopping behaviors.
  • Collaborate with state estimation and mapping teams to define interfaces for reliable SDS engagement during primary stack failures.
  • Own features end-to-end, from requirements clarification to on-road testing and iteration based on feedback.
  • Champion software engineering best practices, including code reviews and automated testing.
  • Analyze and debug complex integration issues using logs and telemetry to identify root causes.
  • Mentor other engineers through design discussions and code reviews to enhance team performance.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellbeing programs including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts available.
  • Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
  • Paid vacation and holidays, along with tuition assistance programs.
  • Employee assistance program and GM vehicle discounts.
  • Relocation benefits for qualifying candidates.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Role

As a Senior Software Engineer on the Secondary Driving System team within Embodied AI, you will be a strong individual contributor working across the autonomy stack, with a particular emphasis on motion planning and controls in a robotics context. You'll design and build production-quality C++ software that spans ML-based perception, tracking, prediction, planning, and controls, enabling SDS to safely handle faults and reach a minimal risk condition when the primary system cannot.

You will collaborate closely with experts in perception, state estimation, vehicle dynamics, systems engineering, and safety to ship robust, fail-operational behaviors for Super Cruise and future products.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)
  • Develop and optimize production-grade C++ software across the SDS stack, integrating ML-based perception (object detection, tracking, prediction, lane and road features) with analytical planners and classical controllers under tight latency and compute constraints.
  • Design and implement planning and controls algorithms for the Secondary Driving System, including lane-keeping, obstacle avoidance, lane changes to shoulder, and controlled stopping behaviors tailored to MRM scenarios and limited operational horizons.
  • Work with partners in state estimation, mapping, localization, and autonomy management to define and implement interfaces and contracts that enable reliable SDS engagement in response to primary stack failures.
  • Own features end-to-end: requirements clarification, design reviews, implementation, simulation/HIL bring-up, on-road testing, and iteration based on metrics and driver feedback.
  • Apply and champion software engineering best practices: clean interfaces, code reviews, automated testing, continuous integration, performance profiling, and observability for on-road incidents.
  • Analyze and debug complex integration issues, using logs, telemetry, and principled experiments to root-cause problems at the intersection of perception, planning, controls, and vehicle behavior.
  • Partner with Safety and Systems Engineering to ensure SDS behaviors and software designs align with functional safety, redundancy, and MRM requirements for fail-operational Eyes-Off features.
  • Mentor and unblock other engineers through design discussions, code reviews, and example implementations, helping raise the bar for robustness, clarity, and execution speed on the team.


Minimum Qualifications (Must-Have)
  • BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.
  • 3+ years of professional software engineering experience building production systems in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or complex real-time/control systems.
  • Strong proficiency in modern C++ (e.g., C++14/17 or later), with experience in large, multi-contributor codebases; familiarity with Python for tooling, prototyping, and data analysis.
  • Experience in motion planning and controls, including: Trajectory generation and tracking, Optimal control / model-predictive control / trajectory optimization, Classical and modern feedback control design (e.g., PID, LQR, robust control), Handling kinematic and dynamic constraints for ground vehicles
  • Experience integrating with perception and prediction pipelines (object detection, tracking, prediction, lane or road geometry), even if your core focus is planning and controls.
  • Demonstrated track record of delivering reliable, high-quality autonomous or robotics software, including testing strategies, metrics, and performance tuning under latency/compute constraints.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across disciplines (ML, systems, platform, safety) and drive clarity in ambiguous technical spaces.
  • Passion for automated driving and robotics, and for building systems that measurably improve safety and driver experience.


Preferred Qualifications (Nice-to-Have)
  • Background in ROS or similar robotics middleware.
  • Experience with safety-critical software or working closely with functional safety teams.
  • Hands-on experience with GPU/accelerator-based ML inference, model deployment, and performance optimization in production environments.
  • BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.
  • 3+ years of professional software engineering experience building production systems in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or complex real-time/control systems.


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 salary range for L7 (senior) role is $170,600.00 to $261,300.00. 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.


#GM-AV-1

This role is based remotely, but if the selected candidate lives within a specific mile radius of a GM hub, they will be expected to report to the location three times a week {or other frequency dictated by your manager}.Relocation benefits are available for candidates who qualify under company policy.

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.

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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.

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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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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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