Compute Platforms & SoC/MCU Semiconductor Systems Researcher

About the Role

GM R&D invents, evaluates, optimizes, and matures next-generation in-vehicle architectures, compute platforms, and communication systems that enable GM’s vision of the Software Defined Vehicle. This role focuses on how SoCs, MCUs, memory, networks, and low-level software integrate into robust, safe, and cost-effective automotive platforms, spanning deeply embedded ECUs as well as high-performance compute platforms for infotainment and automated driving.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead semiconductor-focused research projects influencing GM’s electrical and software architecture roadmaps.
• Design and implement proof-of-concept prototypes on R&D lab benches and in-vehicle architecture benches to validate concepts.
• Evaluate and benchmark SoCs/MCUs and memory technologies (CPU cores, accelerators, interconnects, DDR/LPDDR, flash, NVM, cache hierarchies) for latency, throughput, power, cost, and safety/security trade-offs.
• Explore and prototype new compute and communication concepts using FPGAs, evaluation boards, and custom circuitry.
• Contribute to ECU and board-level design concepts, working with internal teams and suppliers on power, clocks, reset, high-speed interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, DDR), and bring-up strategies.
• Drive low-level software concepts around boot flows, board support packages (BSPs), bare-metal or RTOS-based implementations, device drivers, and hardware abstraction.
• Collaborate with GM engineering, purchasing, and suppliers to align semiconductor choices with GM’s long-term architecture, safety, cybersecurity, and cost objectives.
• Seek out and pursue technology insertion opportunities at GM, working with product engineering and program teams to move successful research outcomes into production.
• Publish and protect IP through internal reports, patents, and external publications.
• Represent GM R&D at key technical conferences and workshops.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Graduating between August 2026 - June 2027.
• Able to work fulltime, 40 hours per week.
• Relevant research experience in semiconductors, SoC/MCU architecture, or embedded compute platforms.
• Understanding of modern SoCs/MCUs, including:
• CPU cores (e.g., Arm, RISC‑V)
• Memory hierarchies, interconnects, and on-chip peripherals.
• High-speed interfaces (e.g., PCIe, Ethernet, SerDes, DDR/LPDDR, GDDR, NVMe).
• Knowledge of automotive communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet, Time Sensitive Networking Standards, CAN, LIN, PCIe-based architectures, SOME/IP) and in-vehicle networks.
• Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG for board bring-up and debug.
• Experience with ECU or embedded system design and low-level software, such as:
• Board support packages, bootloaders, bare-metal or RTOS-based implementations, hardware drivers.
• Integration of low-level software with hardware in lab or bench environments.
• Strong communication skills, including presenting complex technical content.

Qualifications

• Preferred: PhD.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (expected to report to Warren, MI three times per week, at minimum).

This position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the successful candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role.