General Motors

Software Engineer, AV Frameworks - Early Career

General Motors$125K — $150K *
Transportation
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
  • Strong experience in modern C++ (20/23) and Python.
  • Solid understanding of software fundamentals like concurrency, memory management, and performance profiling.
  • Experience with IPC/messaging systems and distributed systems fundamentals.
  • Knowledge of Linux networking (sockets, TCP/UDP).
  • Ability to debug software issues and communicate effectively in a team.

Responsibilities

  • Build and debug high-performance IPC and middleware primitives.
  • Drive improvements in latency, throughput, and determinism through analysis.
  • Create developer-facing APIs, documentation, and tooling.
  • Deliver components with observability and robust error handling.
  • Collaborate with various engineering teams to understand AV software.
  • Apply production rigor in code reviews and testing strategies.
  • Take on progressively complex assignments in software development.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with minimum office attendance.
  • Possible relocation benefits.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Role

As a early career Software Engineer on the AV Frameworks, you will design and deliver the core communication and runtime building blocks used by AV/Robotics applications on vehicles, on benches, and in simulation. You'll work across C++ systems, Linux, and networking/IPC to achieve low-latency messaging, deterministic scheduling, and production-grade reliability at scale.

This role is designed for a recent graduate or engineer early in their career who wants to build depth in embedded systems, distributed software, vehicle platforms, and autonomous driving technology. You will learn from experienced engineers while contributing meaningful code to systems that must be dependable, observable, and maintainable.

You will develop a systems-level understanding as you learn how individual applications, compute elements, and data flows interact. Over time, you will turn that understanding into clear abstractions and design guidance that inform how other developers build vehicle software.

What you'll do

  • Build and debug high-performance IPC and middleware primitives (publish/subscribe, shared memory, serialization, discovery, QoS).


  • Drive latency, throughput, and determinism improvements through profiling, tracing, benchmarking, and targeted optimizations.


  • Build developer-facing APIs, tooling, and documentation that improve ergonomics, correctness, and velocity for internal customers.


  • Deliver platform-ready components with observability (metrics, logs, traces), robust fault handling, and reproducible performance characteristics.


  • Work alongside experienced engineers platform OS, drivers, safety, controls, perception, and tooling teams to ramp up on AV software.


  • Apply production rigor: code reviews, testing strategies (unit, integration, soak), performance and regression gates, and rollout/rollback discipline.


  • Grow through progressively more complex assignments spanning design, implementation, integration, and testing.


Required Qualifications

  • Recently completed a BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Robotics, or a degree in a related field.


  • Strong background in modern C++ (20/23) and Python development, demonstrated through coursework, internships, research, or substantial projects.


  • Strong grasp of software fundamentals including concurrency, memory management, lock-free or low-contention patterns, and performance profiling.


  • Hands-on experience with IPC/messaging systems and distributed systems fundamentals (serialization, backpressure, flow control, QoS).


  • Knowledge of linux-based networking (sockets, TCP/UDP, multicast, NICs, buffers, MTU, packetization).


  • Ability to debug complex software problems, reason about system behavior, and communicate clearly in a collaborative team environment.


  • Interest in autonomous vehicles, robotics, embedded systems, or high-performance software.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Robotics/AV middleware: ROS 2, DDS, gRPC.


  • Serialization and data: Protobuf, FlatBuffers, Cap'n Proto, zero-copy techniques.


  • Real-time Linux and systems constraints (scheduling, CPU isolation, priority inversion mitigation, bounded latency).


  • Prior internship, research, or project experience in autonomous driving, robotics, embedded systems, AI/ML infrastructure, or platform software.


  • Degree completed between December 2025 and August 2026, with availability to begin employment in 2026.


Location

  • Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to our Suynnvale, CA office three times per week, at minimum.


  • This job may be eligible for relocation benefits


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 roleis $125,000 to $150,000. 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.

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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Learn more about General Motors
Size
157,000 employees
Market Cap
$46.9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ

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