Senior Vehicle Motion Controls Platform Control Design Engineer

Job Description

The Role:

We are seeking a Senior Vehicle Motion Controls Platform Software Design Engineer to join our Vehicle Motion Control (VMC) Platform Design team. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of scalable, modular, and reusable VMC software platforms that enable autonomous driving (AV), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and human-driven features-all while avoiding duplication and redundant control solutions.

The successful candidate will design and implement advanced vehicle motion control systems across domains such as propulsion, braking, steering, rear steering, and active aerodynamics. You will be instrumental in creating a platform-based architecture that ensures flexibility, reusability, and performance scalability, beginning with next-generation high-performance vehicles.

This position requires a blend of vehicle dynamics expertise, advanced control and estimation strategies (classic and modern), practical in-vehicle calibration experience, and production software implementation.

What You'll do:

• Lead VMC Platform Control Design: Develop scalable, modular control strategies and software architectures that enable vehicle motion control features across multiple platforms.

• Innovate and Architect Modular Solutions: Design advanced control and estimation algorithms that are adaptable and reusable, avoiding redundant solutions and supporting long-term platform scalability.

• Integrate and Validate Controls: Drive end-to-end development including model-based design, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL), simulation, and in-vehicle validation.

• Calibration and Performance Development: Develop and optimize calibration strategies to meet objective and subjective vehicle dynamics performance targets.

• Advance Processes and Standards: Contribute to process improvement, peer reviews, and adherence to GM software development standards.

• Protect GM IP: Create innovative control and estimation solutions and secure intellectual property through patents and publications.

Core Expertise Areas:

Vehicle Dynamics:

• Deep theoretical and practical knowledge of chassis and vehicle dynamics.

• Proven ability to connect system-level dynamics to control and estimation solutions.

Control Strategy:

• Proficiency in classic control methods (e.g., PID, state feedback, observers).

• Extensive experience in advanced control strategies, including but not limited to:

• Adaptive control

• Model Predictive Control (MPC)

• Learning-based MPC

• Machine Learning (ML) / AI-based control strategies

• Other advanced methods in modern vehicle control

Estimation and Fusion:

• Strong expertise in advanced state estimation and observer design.

• Proficiency in sensor fusion methods for vehicle motion states.

• Hands-on experience with Kalman filters and their variations (e.g., EKF, UKF, particle filters).

• System identification and parameter estimation in vehicle dynamics applications.

Simulation & Modeling:

• Extensive experience with vehicle dynamics simulation tools such as CarSim, CarMaker, or equivalent.

• Ability to develop high-fidelity simulation models to support design, calibration, and validation.

• Experience leveraging simulation in Model-Based Design (MBD) workflows.

In-Vehicle Development & Production Implementation:

• Proven ability to calibrate and validate vehicle motion controls against both objective and subjective performance requirements.

• Hands-on experience with tools such as Vehicle SPY, INCA, and CANalyzer.

• Experience with production software implementation (embedded C, MATLAB/Simulink, code generation) following automotive standards.

• Demonstrated ability to translate control and estimation designs into robust, production-quality software.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• MSc with 5+ years or PhD with 3+ years of experience in control systems development and/or technical leadership in vehicle controls.

• Experience in control and estimation algorithm design and implementation

• Valid driver's license.

• Availability for ~4 weeks/year of travel, including winter testing in Northern Michigan and international proving grounds.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Skills)

• Experience with AUTOSAR (AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture) framework-based systems design using Vector and Automotive Ethernet.

• ·Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for tackling complex, novel challenges.

• ·Demonstrated ability to deliver clear technical reports and presentations to cross-functional stakeholders.

• Familiarity with GM or other automotive software standards, test procedures and build processes.

• Experience with software configuration management processes and tools, such as Git Ecosystem.

• Familiarity with DevOps practices and tools.

• Proficiency with programming languages like C++ or Python.

• Development and testing experience in SIL/HIL or other virtual environments.

• Prior experience working in Agile / Scrum / SAFe methodologies.

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}.

The selected candidate will be required to travel