Principal Hardware Architect – Platform Architecture

Job Description

General Motors is redefining mobility with electrification, autonomous driving, and software-defined vehicle platforms. Our Hardware Architecture team is at the forefront of this transformation, developing the next generation of zonal and centralized compute architectures. We are seeking a Principal Hardware Architect with deep expertise in vehicle E/E systems, semiconductor technology, and high speed hardware design to lead the definition and optimization of our future hardware platforms.

This role is categorized as hybrid. The successful candidate is expected to report to Mountain View, CA or Warren, MI three times (Tues., Wed., Thurs.) per week, at minimum [or other frequency dictated by the business].

The Role

As a Principal Hardware Architect , you will define and drive the hardware architecture for GM's next-generation zonal and centralized vehicle platforms. You will evaluate tradeoffs across compute, networking, harnessing, and ECU design to deliver scalable, reliable, and cost-effective solutions. This role requires a strong systems-level perspective, deep technical expertise, and the ability to collaborate across hardware, software, and vehicle architecture teams.

The Principal Hardware Architect will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of GM's vehicle electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture. As the industry transitions toward zonal architectures, centralized compute, and software-defined vehicles, this role ensures that hardware platforms are designed with the right tradeoffs in performance, cost, scalability, and reliability. By bridging semiconductor technology, physical layer networks, and ECU hardware requirements, the Principal Hardware Architect will define the foundation for next generation vehicle platforms

Responsibilities:

Architectural Leadership

• Define and evolve GM's zonal hardware architecture, balancing
• performance, cost, scalability, and reliability.
• Lead tradeoff analysis across compute partitioning, networking,
• harnessing, and ECU design.
• Translate semiconductor technology roadmaps into platform-level
• hardware requirements.

System & Network Integration

• Define physical layer network topology and constraints for in-vehicle
• communication (Ethernet, CAN, LIN, PCIe, etc.).
• Decompose system-level requirements into ECU- and harness-level
• specifications.
• Collaborate with software architects to align hardware and software
• partitioning on microprocessors.

Hardware Design Requirements

• Define ECU hardware design requirements, including power, thermal,
• and signal integrity considerations.
• Provide guidance on high-speed PCB design and layout best
• practices.
• Ensure manufacturability, reliability, and compliance with automotive
• standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with vehicle architecture, system architecture, software, and
• semiconductor teams to ensure cohesive system design.
• Serve as a technical authority and mentor for hardware engineering
• teams.
• Influence supplier and technology partner roadmaps to align with
• GM's long-term strategy.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Drive adoption of new technologies, tools, and methodologies in
• hardware architecture.
• Anticipate future vehicle architecture needs and propose forward[1]looking solutions.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer
• Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of experience in hardware/system architecture, with significant
• experience in automotive or other high-reliability industries.
• Proven track record of defining and delivering complex hardware
• architectures at scale.

Technical Expertise

• Deep understanding of zonal architectures and vehicle E/E tradeoffs.
• Strong knowledge of software partitioning on microprocessors and its
• hardware implications.
• Expertise in physical layer network topology (Ethernet, CAN, LIN, PCIe,
• SerDes) and constraints.
• Ability to map semiconductor technology capabilities to physical layer
• and harness requirements.
• Strong background in high-speed PCB design and layout.
• Thorough understanding of vehicle architectures and tradeoff analysis.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive alignment across hardware, software, and vehicle architecture.
• Strong communication skills for engaging with technical and executive stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring and guiding engineering teams.

Compensation:

The compensation information is a good faith estimate only. It is based on what a successful applicant might be paid in accordance with applicable state laws. The compensation may not be representative for positions located outside of New York, Colorado, California, or Washington.

The expected base compensation for this role is: $228,900 - $350,500. Actual base compensation within the identified range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.

Bonus Potential: An incentive pay program offers payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.

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.

Benefits : GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.

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.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources .

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire .

Accommodations

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