General Motors

Staff Sensor Systems Engineer

General Motors • $189K — $290K *
Sunnyvale, CA 94087In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
2 weeks ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Electrical, Software, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
  • 10+ years of experience in systems engineering or hardware-intensive product development.
  • Experience with sensing systems (camera, radar, lidar) integration into vehicles.
  • Proven leadership in system architecture and cross-domain technical projects.
  • Expertise in requirements development and validation processes.
  • Technical depth in signal processing or machine learning for relevant sensing modalities.
  • Ability to navigate ambiguous problem spaces and align technical teams.

Responsibilities

  • Lead system-level trade studies and define integration requirements for autonomous sensor systems.
  • Conduct detailed technical analysis on performance, latency, data integrity, and system interactions.
  • Translate autonomy goals into system architectures and functional requirements.
  • Collaborate across teams including software, hardware, and perception for effective integration.
  • Ensure system designs adhere to safety and regulatory standards for autonomous vehicles.
  • Drive improvements in the performance and diagnostics of sensing systems.
  • Document technical decisions and project deliverables clearly.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellbeing programs including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts options available.
  • Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
  • Life insurance and sickness benefits included.
  • Generous paid vacation and holiday time off.
  • Tuition assistance programs for professional development.
  • Employee assistance program for personal support.
  • Potential access to company vehicles for evaluation after meeting eligibility criteria.
Full Job Description

Job Description

Hybrid/Remote: If the candidate is within 50 miles of a GM Technical center, they will need to report to the office 3 times a week.

We are seeking a staff systems engineer to join the Sensor Systems Engineering & Architecture team to provide technical leadership in defining how autonomous sensing systems are architected and integrated across GM’s autonomy programs. This role focuses on system‑level decisions at the intersection of sensors, embedded software, vehicle platforms, and autonomy software, ensuring that sensing solutions are technically sound, aligned with product intent, and executable in production.


In this position, you will lead system‑level trade studies, define sensor systems spanning camera, radar, and lidar, and work closely with perception, platform software, and vehicle integration teams to address real engineering challenges. The role is intended for engineers who are comfortable operating in ambiguity, applying first‑principles analysis alongside practical constraints, and providing steady technical direction as systems mature from early development into deployed solutions.

What You’ll Do

You will get the opportunity to contribute to one or more of the following.

  • Lead system level trades and requirement decomposition, definition, and integration requirements of autonomous sensor systems, including cameras, radar, and lidar

  • Provide detailed technical analysis from component level to system for autonomous vehicle sensing functions across performance, latency, data integrity, synchronization, and hardware/software interaction

  • Translate autonomy and product intent into system architectures, functional decompositions, and requirements.

  • Work closely with software platform teams, vehicle integration, hardware teams, perception, and validation teams to manage complex interdependencies and drive forward progress.

  • Ensure system designs meet safety, regulatory, quality, and performance requirements relevant to autonomous vehicle operation.

  • Drive continuous improvement in sensing system performance, robustness, diagnostics, integration, and cost.

  • Clearly document technical decisions, trade‑offs, and deliverables.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

  • Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Electrical, Software, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent work experience..

  • 10+ years of experience in systems engineering, system integration, or hardware‑intensive product development.

  • Experience working with sensing systems (camera, radar, lidar, or similar) and their usage and integration into vehicles.

  • Experience leading system architecture, integration, and cross‑domain technical initiatives.

  • Strong expertise in requirements development, interface definition, integration, and validation.

  • Technical depth in signal processing, link analysis, or ML across at least one relevant sensing modality.

  • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in ambiguous problem spaces and drive technical alignment across teams.

  • Experience with Matlab, Python, or other language to support data analysis and analysis tooling development.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

  • Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.

  • Experience working on L4 (or equivalent) autonomous vehicle programs or advanced remote sensing platforms.

  • Experience developing, debugging, or integrating embedded or systems‑level software.

  • Significant experience with automotive autonomy focused SPAD lidars and/or imaging radars.

  • Experience with requirements management tools such as JAMA or DNG.

  • Knowledge of safety-critical‑ system development or functional safety concepts.

  • Experience with system/component validation, including vehicle testing, HIL/SIL, simulation, and large‑scale data analysis

Compensation: The compensation information is a good faith estimate only. It is based on what a successful applicant might be paidin accordance withapplicable state laws. The compensation may not be representative for positions locatedoutside of New York, Colorado, California, or Washington. 

  • The salary range for this roleis $189,300- $290,700.The actual basesalarya successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.

  • Bonus Potential: An incentivepayprogram 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 assistanceprograms, employee assistanceprogram, GM vehicle discounts and more.


“Company Vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.”

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.

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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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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.

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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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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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