Staff Software Engineer, Simulation
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled software engineers in autonomous vehicle technology has surged, with over 700 million hands-free miles driven using GM's Super Cruise. As a leader in this field, GM is looking for a talented Staff Software Engineer to drive the development of their simulation ecosystem. With the rise of remote work, candidates can now contribute to this cutting-edge technology from anywhere, but they'll need to possess a unique blend of technical expertise and collaborative spirit. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the high level of complexity and innovation involved in this role, as well as the need for strong communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
Job Description
About the Role
The Staff Software Engineer, Simulation role at General Motors is a pivotal position in the company's Autonomous Vehicle organization. As a key member of the Simulation team, you will be responsible for developing and advancing the simulation ecosystem that enables the growth and maturity of GM's autonomous driving technology. This role entails working closely with cross-functional teams, including Autonomy, Systems, Safety, and other departments, to provide the simulation foundation needed to assess system behavior, improve development velocity, and support end-to-end AV quality.The Simulation team owns large-scale scenario libraries, test and evaluation pipelines, and core infrastructure that support virtual testing, data analysis, model development, and validation within a unified framework. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will help shape GM's core simulation platforms, turn complex system behavior into actionable insights, and accelerate the development of safe, scalable autonomous vehicles.
GM's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has led to the development of Super Cruise, a hands-free technology that has been used in over 500,000 vehicles, resulting in over 700 million hands-free miles driven. This role offers the opportunity to be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of autonomous vehicle technology and making a significant impact on the industry.
What You Will Do
- Architect large-scale test infrastructure and evaluation pipelines to enable and quantify the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of simulation tests used for autonomous vehicle software validation
- Lead cross-functional initiatives with Autonomy, Systems Engineering, Simulation, and Data teams to tightly integrate team-owned test operations and evaluation products into regular development workflows and release decision processes
- Invent novel methodologies and deliver implementation to quantify and characterize the trustworthiness and effectiveness of simulation test and evaluation products at scale
- Drive technical roadmaps and strategic priorities while partnering cross-functionally to integrate new simulation technologies aligned with AV goals
- Own and refine key simulation evaluation metrics and KPIs used for readiness and safety decisions
- Synthesize and present results and tradeoffs to stakeholders
- Make insights readily available to partner teams through interactive dashboards
- Maintain a high technical standard through architectural design, design reviews, and code reviews
- Set patterns and best practices for the broader team
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize simulation requirements
What We Are Looking For
- 7+ years of applied experience developing complex evaluation, simulation, or test frameworks
- Proficient in developing Python for production systems, including unit testing, code review, performance tradeoffs, and reliability best practices
- Proven cross-team technical leadership, including defining strategies adopted by multiple teams and influencing system and architecture decisions
- Strong written and verbal communication, driving decisions, communicating risk, and giving constructive feedback to diverse stakeholders
- Bachelor's or higher degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience
- Experience working on test strategies and validation for safety-critical products
- Familiarity with SQL, time-series data analysis, performance monitoring tools, and dashboarding systems
- Strong, data-driven curiosity to investigate anomalies and systematically root-cause discrepancies
Nice to Have
- Experience in autonomous driving or high-stakes field robotics
- Experience designing, running, and interpreting large-scale simulation and field experiments
- Familiarity with Looker, Streamlit, or other data analysis and visualization tools
- Experience working on hybrid or remote teams
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomous vehicle technology
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Flexible and remote work arrangements
- Access to professional development and growth opportunities
- Comprehensive health and wellness programs
- Retirement savings plan and other financial benefits
- Recognition and reward programs for outstanding performance
How to Stand Out
- To stand out as a candidate, be prepared to provide examples of your experience with large-scale simulation and test frameworks, as well as your proficiency in Python and other relevant technologies.
- Make sure to highlight your ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and communicate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
- When preparing for the interview, review the company's autonomous vehicle technology and be ready to discuss your thoughts on the future of the industry and how you can contribute to it.
- Be prepared to provide examples of your experience with data analysis and visualization tools, such as Looker or Streamlit.
- Don't be afraid to ask about the company culture and values, as well as the team's dynamics and expectations.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with remote work and how you stay connected and collaborative with your team in a virtual environment.
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