New Architecture Technical Specialist (NATS)

Description
The Role:
The New Architecture Technical Specialist (NATS) is the technical lead responsible for bringing new controller architectures from concept into an operational, production-ready state. This role executes advanced integration work on prototype and first-use controllers, develops and evaluates new designs, and drives balanced requirements across hardware, basic software, and application teams so that new products are robust, scalable, and cost-effective.
The Team:
This role sits within Vehicle Motion Embedded Controls (VMEC) , supporting the Build Factory / Controller Integration space. VMEC delivers embedded controls for Engine, Transmission, Battery, Electrification, Brakes, and other Chassis domains, and is a key enabler of GM's vision of Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion through robust, scalable controller and software architectures.
As a NATS, you will:

• Lead early-phase controller bring-up : integrating application code and HWIO with prototype controllers (e.g., EDU/initial hardware) to achieve stable, debuggable systems for downstream SWIL/CIE teams.
• Own operational readiness of the development environment for new controllers, including benches, debuggers, compilers, and instrumentation, working closely with tools teams and suppliers.
• Partner with Software Integration Leads (SWILs), Controller / Component Integration Engineers (CIEs/CTEs), ARTs, Value Streams, Product Engineering, and SWIMs to coordinate integration, validation, and hand-off into production swim lanes.
• Provide architecture-level technical leadership: generating solutions for new and major architectures, performing complex trade-off and requirement balancing across systems, and recommending future CPU / controller strategies that reduce complexity and enable swim lane reduction and CPU optimization initiatives.
• Act as a primary technical interface to controller and instrumentation suppliers for software content, reviews, delivery planning, and issue resolution (including LLIO and HWIO topics).
• Lead or coordinate initial controller validation and impact analysis of supplier software exceptions, ensuring robust behavior before hand-off to production teams.
• Mentor and develop less experienced engineers, sharing best practices around new architecture introduction, controller resource management, and cross-functional integration.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities):

• Deliver an operational development environment for new controllers (bench, tools, instrumentation, debug), enabling SWILs/CIEs to execute cadence and pull-ahead builds effectively.
• Coordinate integration of application software and HWIO on early hardware (EDU / initial controllers), driving issue resolution with suppliers and internal teams until stable operation is achieved.
• Serve as the software manager/ technical lead on initial new-architecture programs, organizing cross-team work, tracking readiness, and aligning content and release plans with SWIMs and program leadership.
• Plan and host controller supplier software reviews, ensuring clarity on requirements, interfaces, and quality expectations, and documenting decisions and follow-ups.
• Drive CPU, memory, and architecture recommendations for new controllers, including read-across impact to other ECUs, to support strategic initiatives like swimlane reduction and proactive CPU load management.
• Perform and communicate impact analyses of software exceptions and architectural changes across controllers and programs; coordinate resolution plans with suppliers and internal owners.
• Provide technical leadership across domains (Engine, Transmission, Electrification, Chassis, Body, etc.) for new controller introduction, including read-across of lessons learned and best practices.
• Mentor, coach, and upskill SWILs, CIEs, and other team members on new-architecture concepts, debug approaches, and tooling usage.

Critical Attributes:

• Demonstrated technical leadership in complex embedded control systems and controller architectures.
• Strong systems thinking : able to balance requirements across HW, BSW, application software, network, and validation to achieve robust system behavior.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous early-phase environments and driving structure, clarity, and decision-making.
• Effective cross-functional collaborator with suppliers and internal teams (SWIL, CIE, SWIM, Product Engineering, Tools, Cybersecurity, Safety, Validation).
• Strong communication skills - able to translate deep technical details into clear trade-offs, risks, and recommendations for stakeholders.
• Passion for mentoring, teaching, and raising the technical bar for the broader team.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, Software, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Significant experience (typically 8+ years) in embedded controls / controller development, including integration and debugging of complex ECUs or SoCs.
• Strong proficiency with C/C++ for embedded systems and familiarity with scripting languages used in automation (e.g., Python, Perl, bash).
• Hands-on experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS), including task scheduling, timing, CPU utilization, and memory protection concepts.
• Experience with instrumentation and simulation/emulation methods such as HIL, SIL, or model-in-the-loop (e.g., dSPACE, ETAS INCA, CANoe/VehicleSpy, Lauterbach).
• Familiarity with automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, etc.) and diagnostic concepts (DIDs, DTCs, flash programming).
• Proven track record leading or coordinating cross-functional technical efforts (e.g., controller bring-up, architectural changes, major debug efforts, or supplier-led software introductions).

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Prior experience as a SWIL, SWITS, SATS, NATS, or similar technical specialist in automotive controls.
• Experience with AUTOSAR, low-level I/O (LLIO/HWIO), and basic software stacks for modern microcontrollers.
• Experience with CI/CD toolchains (e.g., Gerrit, Git, Jenkins, Eclipse, Git Ecosystem) and automated build/test pipelines for embedded controllers.
• Background in safety-related and/or cybersecurity-relevant embedded software (e.g., ISO 26262 concepts, secure boot, secure debugging).
• Demonstrated contributions to swimlane reduction, CPU/memory optimization, or controller consolidation initiatives.

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.
#LI-DH2
This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.
This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
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.
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