Staff Hardware Engineer – NFC Digital Key

General Motors

. Architect, design, and validate wireless hardware for NFC Digital Key experiences .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timeSunnyvale • California • United StatesLead💰 $160,000 - $250,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in NFC Digital Key hardware architecture, design, and validation, with a strong focus on wireless technologies and standards. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and mentor engineers while ensuring compliance with industry specifications and performance targets.

Highest-signal resume keywords

NFC Digital Key System DevelopmentRF Hardware ExperienceNFC Standards KnowledgeCross-Functional Technical LeadershipNFC Reader Antenna Design

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

NFC Hardware ArchitectureWireless Hardware DesignElectromagnetic FundamentalsNFC Reader Coil DesignDigital Key SpecificationsCoexistence AnalysisField-Strength TestingLoad-Modulation TestingDebugging Digital Key HardwareSchematic and PCB Layout Review

Soft Skills

Strong Written CommunicationStrong Verbal CommunicationMentoring EngineersCollaboration with TeamsLeading Technical Initiatives

Tools & Technologies

RF Test EquipmentTime-Domain InstrumentationScripting Language (Python)NFC Reference Test Setups

Industry Keywords

Automotive Digital Access SystemsCar Connectivity ConsortiumIEEE 802.15.4zISO/IEC 14443ISO/IEC 15693ISO/IEC 18092UWB RangingBLE TransceiversCybersecurity ConsiderationsShort-Range Wireless Hardware Design

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber SecurityPython

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Architect, design, and validate wireless hardware for NFC Digital Key experiences
Act as the NFC hardware and wireless subject matter expert for GM Digital Key and short-range access systems
Define hardware and requirements for NFC readers supporting passive entry, passive start, trunk access, NFC cards, and phones
Lead concepts and requirements for vehicle Digital Key system development
Translate vehicle use cases and customer scenarios into NFC link budgets and performance targets
Provide NFC input to short-range wireless and antenna roadmaps
Lead schematic and PCB layout reviews for NFC and Secure Element subsystems and NFC readers
Optimize NFC reader coil geometry, tuning networks, metal interactions, and coupling paths to other radios
Bring up and debug Digital Key hardware in the lab
Develop and execute NFC test plans across positions, orientations, doors, zones, and packaging conditions
Conduct field-strength, load-modulation, coupling, detuning, interoperability, and timing-margin tests using RF and time-domain instrumentation
Lead coexistence analysis and testing for NFC readers alongside UWB, BLE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, and GNSS
Coordinate time-domain and resource-sharing strategies with wireless technology teams
Ensure NFC hardware supports current and emerging Car Connectivity Consortium Digital Key expectations
Align NFC, BLE, and UWB behavior with system architecture, algorithms, and test strategies
Build reusable NFC reference test setups for labs and programs
Document requirements, architecture decisions, test strategies, coverage studies, and coexistence analysis
Mentor junior wireless, RF, and hardware engineers and lab staff
Collaborate with Vehicle Access, Digital Key, Connectivity, Cybersecurity, Antenna, Validation, Manufacturing, and supplier teams

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or relevant discipline
10+ years of relevant RF or wireless hardware experience
Experience delivering Digital Key or similar NFC-enabled access systems in automotive or consumer products
Hands-on experience with CCC Digital Key specifications and industry trends in digital vehicle access and secure ranging
Knowledge of IEEE 802.15.4z and draft 802.15.4ab for UWB ranging
Knowledge of ISO/IEC 14443, ISO/IEC 15693, and ISO/IEC 18092 NFC standards or equivalent regional variants
Strong understanding of electromagnetic fundamentals and material properties
Experience with NFC reader antenna and coil design and placement in vehicle contexts
Demonstrated short-range coexistence experience involving NFC, Qi, UWB, BLE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, and GNSS
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Track record of leading cross-functional technical initiatives across hardware, software, systems, and supplier teams
Preferred: hands-on experience with UWB and BLE transceivers and systems
Preferred: experience with RF and hardware design reviews, bring-up, and debug on complex multi-radio boards
Preferred: awareness of cybersecurity and privacy considerations for UWB, BLE, and NFC vehicle-access systems
Preferred: proficiency with RF test equipment and at least one scripting language such as Python
Preferred: contributions to patents, standards, or technical publications in UWB, UWB-NBA, NFC, or short-range wireless hardware design

Benefits

Comp & perks

Incentive pay program with payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance
Medical, dental, and vision benefits
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Accounts
Retirement savings plan
Sickness and accident benefits
Life insurance
Paid vacation and holidays
Tuition assistance programs
Employee assistance program
GM vehicle discounts
Company vehicle evaluation program, including assignment of a General Motors vehicle after successful motor vehicle report review
Relocation benefits for qualifying candidates
Hybrid work arrangement
Travel required is less than 25%