Principal Software Engineer - Virtual Test Platforms

Description
The Role:
As a Principal Software Engineer on the Virtual Test Platforms team, you will help to define, specify, validate, architect, develop, build, verify, deploy, and support a variety of virtualization technology related products and services to accelerate development of new vehicles and support existing ones while increasing quality, reliability, security, and diagnosability. You will do this in cooperation with teams and engineers across GM who deliver their code across a wide variety of embedded systems from small low-level controllers to large infotainment units and beyond.
As a technical leader in Virtual Test Platforms, you will help to shape the approach, architecture, and methods while also making significant contributions to the codebase as an individual contributor. You will provide mentoring, feedback, and assistance to your teammates helping everyone to achieve more. As a subject matter expert in virtualized testing of distributed systems, you will help to improve the state of the art in virtual test of hardware and software at GM.
What You'll Do

• Deliver high-impact, high-ROI technical solutions for highly automated and highly scaled virtualized testing for GM products and services.
• Write production-quality code, prototypes, and reference implementations that unblock teams and demonstrate best practices.
• Partner with product, platform, and security teams through design reviews, feedback sessions, and brainstorming with a focus on testing and validation.
• Mentor and coach ICs, helping them navigate complex technical decisions and grow as senior engineers.
• Create and maintain reusable guidance, examples, and documentation that scale knowledge across GM's engineering community.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a focus on building and operating production systems.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field OR equivalent work experience.
• Proven experience leading complex, cross-team technical initiatives as a staff or principal-level engineer.
• Strong proficiency in at least one of Java, Go, or C/C++ and willingness to learn others as needed.
• Deep understanding of software architecture and design principles, including distributed systems, scalability, and reliability.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority, build strong partnerships, and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.
• Hands-on experience evolving existing large-scale, distributed, or event-driven systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in low-level or embedded software at the hardware/software boundary.
• Familiarity with security, reliability, and cost-optimization best practices in cloud-native environments.
• Demonstrated success driving cultural or process improvements (e.g., testing practices, observability, CI/CD, documentation).

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 actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position, as well as geography of the selected candidate.
• The salary range for this role is $216,000-$320,000. 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:
• 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.
This role is categorized as remote. This means the selected candidate may be based anywhere in the country of work and is not expected to report to a GM worksite unless directed by their manager.
This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day - individually and collectively - to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
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Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
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