Staff ML Validation Applied Scientist

Description

Role

As a Staff ML Validation Applied Scientist on the Software Validation team within the Autonomous Vehicle (AV) organization , you will lead applied machine learning research focused on improving verification and validation of ML components and autonomous driving behavior at scale.

You will push the frontier of simulation-led ML validation , creating metrics, tools, and agentic workflows that make it dramatically faster, more automated, and more robust to evaluate autonomy systems across large fleets, diverse scenarios, and continuous release cycles. You will transform advanced ML research into working prototypes and production-grade validation services, including AI validation critics that automatically review model behavior, logs, and simulation traces to surface issues, regressions, and coverage gaps.

About the Organization

The Autonomous Vehicle (AV) organization is dedicated to advancing the development of autonomous vehicles through cutting-edge simulation technologies and novel iterative development processes.

The Software Validation team focuses on unlocking software launches and continuous release decisions via simulation-led verification and validation strategies, prototypes, and protocols. Our collaborative environment fosters innovation and excellence, allowing us to push the boundaries of what is possible in autonomous vehicle testing.

What You'll Do

As a Staff ML Validation Research Engineer, you will:

• Lead ML-centric validation strategy for deep learning components across perception, prediction, and planning in AV, defining evaluation methodologies with cross-functional partners.

• Build AI validation critics and agentic acceleration workflows using LLM- and model-based agents plus orchestration to automate scenario review, anomaly detection, and end-to-end validation flows.

• Prototype ML research into scalable tools by transforming ML research into performant tools integrated into CI/CD and large-scale pipelines, owning key behavior and ML validation services and data pipelines.

• Drive simulation-based ML evaluation at scale by evaluating deep learning modules in realistic sensor and traffic simulation and expanding behavioral and scenario coverage tightly linked to ML models.

• Provide cross-functional collaboration and leadership across Simulation, Safety, Systems Engineering, Autonomy, and tools teams through reviews, roadmapping, standards, and mentorship focused on high-quality, automation-first software.

Your Skills & Abilities

• 8+ years of experience and MS/PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Robotics, Software Engineering, Data Science , or a related field.

• Strong proficiency in Python and at least one systems language (e.g., C++ ), with experience building production systems over large datasets.

• Deep understanding of and experience evaluating modern ML for robotic systems .

• Hands-on experience using AI agents, LLM-based tools, or workflow orchestration to automate parts of the development, validation, or operations lifecycle.

• Demonstrated ability to design and implement behavioral and ML metrics and associated tooling for validation and regression detection of complex ML systems

• Strong analytical skills and systems thinking; able to reason about complex AV behavior and ML model interactions and turn insights into code and tools.

• Effective communicator who can work across teams and provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers and researchers.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge

• Background in autonomous vehicles, vehicle development, or ADAS .

• Demonstrated impact from introducing automation and AI-assisted tooling (e.g., AI agents, AI validation critics, smart monitoring) that improved scale, reliability, or engineering velocity in ML validation workflows.

• Experience building verification and validation tools or infrastructure for safety-critical ML or control systems.

• Experience working with simulation environments and large scenario or telemetry datasets for ML evaluation and behavior validation.

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 salary range for this role: is $218,800 to $335,300. The actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this 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.
  • 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.

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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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Client-provided location(s): Sunnyvale, CA

Job ID: General_Motors-JR-202605338

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Posted: 2026-03-12T00:02:26