Staff Software Engineer – Compute Systems Software (Embedded OS)

The Vehicle Experiences Engine (VEE) at GM is transforming how millions of people interact with their vehicles by building the software engines behind next-generation digital experiences. At the core of this transformation is the Compute Systems Software team — the group that delivers the foundational embedded platform for GM’s software-defined vehicles.

As a Staff Software Engineer, Compute Systems Software (Embedded OS) , you will lead the design, development, and debugging of the embedded Linux platform that powers GM’s in-vehicle compute systems. You’ll work across the Linux kernel, board support packages (BSP), device drivers, and core frameworks on modern ARM-based SoCs, using C and classic UNIX/Linux tooling to deliver high-performance, highly reliable compute in production vehicles.

You’ll report to the Software Engineering Manager, Compute Systems Software , and collaborate closely with partners across Android Automotive OS, multimedia, connectivity, and system frameworks to deliver platform capabilities that scale globally across GM’s vehicle portfolio. This role requires strong technical leadership, broad system-level judgment, and the ability to influence architecture, execution, and engineering standards across teams.

About the Role

In this role, you will be a hands-on engineer working at the intersection of embedded Linux, automotive compute, and classic UNIX tooling .

You will:

·       Own critical pieces of the compute platform, from kernel configuration and BSP integration to device drivers and system services for GM’s digital cockpit and vehicle compute systems.

·       Build and maintain Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions and associated build pipelines that ship on high-volume vehicle programs.

·       Drive system performance, optimization, and complex debugging , using low-level tools (e.g., perf, ftrace, gdb, tracing/profiling) to diagnose issues across software and hardware boundaries.

·       Work deeply in Linux/UNIX environments — living at the command line, automating workflows with shell and Python, and refining build systems (Make and related tools) to keep the platform reliable and reproducible.

·       Partner with Qualcomm and other silicon vendors to bring up new SoCs, integrate vendor deliverables, and tune platform features for GM-specific use cases.

·       Provide technical leadership within the team, mentoring others and helping drive engineering standards and best practices across the stack.

This role is hybrid , with regular onsite collaboration at a GM technical center, consistent with GM’s hybrid work guidelines for engineering roles.

Responsibilities

• Embedded Linux platform development
  - Design, implement, and maintain Linux kernel modules, device drivers, BSP components, and low-level system services for in-vehicle compute platforms.

• Yocto and build systems
  - Configure and extend  Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions ; maintain build metadata, layers, and recipes used to produce production images.
  - Own and refine  build systems  to ensure deterministic, scalable builds for multiple programs and variants.

• Performance, optimization, and debugging
  - Profile and optimize CPU, memory, I/O, and thermal behavior across the embedded stack to meet stringent automotive performance and reliability requirements.
  - Lead complex debugging and root-cause analysis, using command-line tools, logs, and traces to resolve issues that span hardware, kernel, drivers, and user space.

• Engineering systems & quality
  - Contribute to and improve CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and validation strategies for platform software, ensuring high-quality, regression-resistant releases.
  - Use Git/GitHub and code review best practices to maintain code quality and traceability across a multi-team environment.

• Technical leadership & collaboration
  - Mentor and support other engineers through design reviews, code reviews, and hands-on pairing, helping grow embedded Linux expertise across the team.
  - Collaborate with Android Automotive OS, multimedia, connectivity, safety, and systems teams to deliver integrated solutions that work end-to-end in the vehicle.

• Vendor and cross-company partnership
  - Work directly with silicon vendors (e.g.,  Qualcomm  and other ARM SoC partners) to integrate new platforms, debug vendor issues, and optimize SoC capabilities for GM vehicles.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field; or equivalent practical experience.

• 10+ years of professional experience in embedded, systems, or kernel-level software development , including delivering production software in the automotive industry or similarly complex embedded domains.

• Deep expertise with embedded Linux on ARM-based SoCs, including several of:

• Linux kernel subsystems, kernel configuration, and low-level system behavior

• Device driver development and debugging

• BSP integration, bootloaders, board bring-up, and device-tree configuration

• Hardware abstraction and enablement for new boards and peripherals

• Strong hands-on experience with Yocto (or comparable embedded Linux build systems) and a track record of shipping commercial embedded Linux deployments .

• Demonstrated strength in system performance, optimization, and complex debugging , with the ability to lead root-cause analysis across hardware, kernel, drivers, middleware, and user space.

• Strong experience with build systems and development tooling , including:

• Make-based build flows and associated tooling

• Git/GitHub and high-quality code review practices

• CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and release-quality engineering for platform software

• Core languages: strong proficiency in C , plus practical experience with Make , Python , and shell scripting (e.g., Bash) for automation, tooling, and debugging.

• Demonstrated technical leadership through architecture direction, mentoring, design and code reviews, and driving execution across cross-functional teams.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence technical decisions, align partner teams, and explain complex system-level topics clearly.

• Experience working directly with silicon vendors or strategic platform partners (e.g., Qualcomm) to integrate deliverables, resolve issues, and optimize platform capabilities.

Desired Skills

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Experience contributing to or upstreaming changes in the Linux kernel or related open-source projects.
• Familiarity with Android Automotive OS , HAL integration, and multimedia pipelines (audio, video, camera, graphics).
• Exposure to automotive safety concepts (e.g., ISO 26262, ASIL, safety islands, health monitoring frameworks).
• Deep comfort working in Linux/UNIX command-line environments , using classic tooling (shell, core utilities, gdb, perf, strace, etc.) to diagnose and resolve issues in complex systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership : mentoring peers, leading cross-team debugging efforts, and driving platform-wide improvements in reliability, performance, and developer experience.

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 base salary range for this role is $217,000 and $275,000. 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.

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.