Principal Software Engineer – Core OS, Vehicle Compute

General Motors

. Define and drive the architecture and long-term roadmap for GM’s Core OS layer, including hypervisors, virtualization, virtual machine lifecycle, resource partitioning, inter-virtual-machine communication, and boot and secure-boot systems .

Posted 9/17/2026full-timeMountain View • California • United StatesLead💰 $216,400 - $450,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in architecting high-performance operating systems and virtualization platforms, with a strong focus on safety-critical systems and embedded environments. Proficient in leading cross-functional technical programs and mentoring engineering teams while establishing robust engineering standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Architecture Of Operating SystemsEmbedded Linux InternalsType 1 HypervisorsAutomotive Functional SafetyPerformance Profiling

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Embedded Software DevelopmentKernel-Level DevelopmentVirtualizationReal-Time Operating SystemsMemory ManagementInterrupt VirtualizationI/O VirtualizationContainer RuntimesWorkload OrchestrationOTA Architectures

Soft Skills

Strong Communication SkillsInfluence Across Technical AudiencesMentoring Engineering Teams

Tools & Technologies

GitGitHubCI/CDAutomated TestingGunyahQNX HypervisorXenKVM/Arm

Industry Keywords

Automotive StandardsASIL DecompositionSafety-Framework IntegrationHealth MonitoringFail-Operational MechanismsAUTOSARSOAFEEYocto-Based DistributionsAOSPQNX SDP

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AndroidLinuxRTOS

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and drive the architecture and long-term roadmap for GM’s Core OS layer, including hypervisors, virtualization, virtual machine lifecycle, resource partitioning, inter-virtual-machine communication, and boot and secure-boot systems
Architect the multi-operating-system foundation enabling embedded Linux, Yocto-based distributions, Android, and QNX to run on shared vehicle compute
Establish platform safety architecture, including partition isolation, health monitoring, fault detection, and recovery
Define container and workload-management architecture for on-vehicle execution
Own system-level performance strategy across compute efficiency, latency, boot time, memory footprint, and deterministic behavior
Lead optimization across software and hardware boundaries
Drive build-versus-buy and technology-selection decisions for hypervisor, real-time operating system, and runtime components
Lead technical relationships with suppliers
Mentor Staff and Senior Software Engineers and establish engineering standards and review practices
Lead complex investigations and root-cause analyses across virtualization, operating-system, and silicon boundaries
Represent Core OS in technical councils, architecture reviews, and cross-functional design forums
Define ownership boundaries with adjacent platform teams

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent experience
Fifteen or more years of experience in embedded, kernel-level, or systems software development, including production-grade systems
Proven experience architecting operating-system or virtualization platforms for high-performance or safety-critical systems
Deep expertise in at least two of: Type 1 hypervisors and virtualization; real-time operating systems; embedded Linux internals; secure boot and platform integrity
Strong knowledge of Arm system-on-chip (SoC) architecture, including memory management, interrupt and I/O virtualization, and hardware-enforced isolation mechanisms
Experience leading multi-team or cross-functional technical programs from concept through production
Proficiency with Git, GitHub, CI/CD, automated testing, and performance profiling
Strong communication and influence skills across technical, cross-functional, and executive audiences
Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field (preferred)
Hands-on experience with Gunyah, QNX Hypervisor, Xen, or KVM/Arm, including virtio-based device virtualization (preferred)
Expertise in automotive functional safety, including ASIL decomposition, safety-island architecture, freedom-from-interference arguments, and safety-framework integration (preferred)
Experience with container runtimes and workload orchestration in resource-constrained or embedded environments (preferred)
Familiarity with Yocto-based Linux distributions, AOSP or Android Automotive, and QNX SDP (preferred)
Familiarity with health monitoring, fail-operational and fail-safe mechanisms, and platform-resiliency design (preferred)
Experience with AUTOSAR, SOAFEE, or comparable automotive platform standards (preferred)
Experience with OTA and continuous-update architectures (preferred)
Contributions to open-source virtualization or operating-system projects (preferred)
Proven ability to set technical vision, influence across organizations, and represent a company in cross-industry engagements (preferred)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision benefits
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Accounts
Retirement savings plans
Paid vacation and holidays
Tuition assistance
Employee assistance programs
Life insurance
GM vehicle discounts
Hybrid work arrangement
Relocation benefits may be available