New Architecture Technical Specialist (NATS)
Yesterday• Milford, MI
Description
The Role:
The New Architecture Technical Specialist (NATS) is the technical lead responsible for bringing new controller architectures from concept into an operational, production-ready state. This role executes advanced integration work on prototype and first-use controllers, develops and evaluates new designs, and drives balanced requirements across hardware, basic software, and application teams so that new products are robust, scalable, and cost-effective.
The Team:
This role sits within Vehicle Motion Embedded Controls (VMEC) , supporting the Build Factory / Controller Integration space. VMEC delivers embedded controls for Engine, Transmission, Battery, Electrification, Brakes, and other Chassis domains, and is a key enabler of GM's vision of Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion through robust, scalable controller and software architectures.
As a NATS, you will:
- Lead early-phase controller bring-up : integrating application code and HWIO with prototype controllers (e.g., EDU/initial hardware) to achieve stable, debuggable systems for downstream SWIL/CIE teams.
- Own operational readiness of the development environment for new controllers, including benches, debuggers, compilers, and instrumentation, working closely with tools teams and suppliers.
- Partner with Software Integration Leads (SWILs), Controller / Component Integration Engineers (CIEs/CTEs), ARTs, Value Streams, Product Engineering, and SWIMs to coordinate integration, validation, and hand-off into production swim lanes.
- Provide architecture-level technical leadership: generating solutions for new and major architectures, performing complex trade-off and requirement balancing across systems, and recommending future CPU / controller strategies that reduce complexity and enable swim lane reduction and CPU optimization initiatives.
- Act as a primary technical interface to controller and instrumentation suppliers for software content, reviews, delivery planning, and issue resolution (including LLIO and HWIO topics).
- Lead or coordinate initial controller validation and impact analysis of supplier software exceptions, ensuring robust behavior before hand-off to production teams.
- Mentor and develop less experienced engineers, sharing best practices around new architecture introduction, controller resource management, and cross-functional integration.
What You'll Do (Responsibilities):
- Deliver an operational development environment for new controllers (bench, tools, instrumentation, debug), enabling SWILs/CIEs to execute cadence and pull-ahead builds effectively.
- Coordinate integration of application software and HWIO on early hardware (EDU / initial controllers), driving issue resolution with suppliers and internal teams until stable operation is achieved.
- Serve as the software manager/ technical lead on initial new-architecture programs, organizing cross-team work, tracking readiness, and aligning content and release plans with SWIMs and program leadership.
- Plan and host controller supplier software reviews, ensuring clarity on requirements, interfaces, and quality expectations, and documenting decisions and follow-ups.
- Drive CPU, memory, and architecture recommendations for new controllers, including read-across impact to other ECUs, to support strategic initiatives like swimlane reduction and proactive CPU load management.
- Perform and communicate impact analyses of software exceptions and architectural changes across controllers and programs; coordinate resolution plans with suppliers and internal owners.
- Provide technical leadership across domains (Engine, Transmission, Electrification, Chassis, Body, etc.) for new controller introduction, including read-across of lessons learned and best practices.
- Mentor, coach, and upskill SWILs, CIEs, and other team members on new-architecture concepts, debug approaches, and tooling usage.
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Critical Attributes:
- Demonstrated technical leadership in complex embedded control systems and controller architectures.
- Strong systems thinking : able to balance requirements across HW, BSW, application software, network, and validation to achieve robust system behavior.
- Comfortable working in ambiguous early-phase environments and driving structure, clarity, and decision-making.
- Effective cross-functional collaborator with suppliers and internal teams (SWIL, CIE, SWIM, Product Engineering, Tools, Cybersecurity, Safety, Validation).
- Strong communication skills - able to translate deep technical details into clear trade-offs, risks, and recommendations for stakeholders.
- Passion for mentoring, teaching, and raising the technical bar for the broader team.
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, Software, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
- Significant experience (typically 8+ years) in embedded controls / controller development, including integration and debugging of complex ECUs or SoCs.
- Strong proficiency with C/C++ for embedded systems and familiarity with scripting languages used in automation (e.g., Python, Perl, bash).
- Hands-on experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS), including task scheduling, timing, CPU utilization, and memory protection concepts.
- Experience with instrumentation and simulation/emulation methods such as HIL, SIL, or model-in-the-loop (e.g., dSPACE, ETAS INCA, CANoe/VehicleSpy, Lauterbach).
- Familiarity with automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, etc.) and diagnostic concepts (DIDs, DTCs, flash programming).
- Proven track record leading or coordinating cross-functional technical efforts (e.g., controller bring-up, architectural changes, major debug efforts, or supplier-led software introductions).
What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):
- Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Prior experience as a SWIL, SWITS, SATS, NATS, or similar technical specialist in automotive controls.
- Experience with AUTOSAR, low-level I/O (LLIO/HWIO), and basic software stacks for modern microcontrollers.
- Experience with CI/CD toolchains (e.g., Gerrit, Git, Jenkins, Eclipse, Git Ecosystem) and automated build/test pipelines for embedded controllers.
- Background in safety-related and/or cybersecurity-relevant embedded software (e.g., ISO 26262 concepts, secure boot, secure debugging).
- Demonstrated contributions to swimlane reduction, CPU/memory optimization, or controller consolidation initiatives.
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.
#LI-DH2
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}.
This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
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.
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Client-provided location(s): Milford, MI
Job ID: General_Motors-JR-202603508
Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Posted: 2026-03-13T23:58:44
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA
- HSA
- HSA With Employer Contribution
Parental Benefits
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Adoption Leave
- Fertility Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Opportunities
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Casual Dress
- Happy Hours
- On-Site Cafeteria
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Leave of Absence
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K)
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Performance Bonus
- Relocation Assistance
- Stock Purchase Program
Professional Development
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Learning and Development Stipend
- Promote From Within
- Mentor Program
- Shadowing Opportunities
- Access to Online Courses
- Lunch and Learns
- Internship Program
Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program
- Woman founded/led
- Employee Resource Groups (ERG)
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