New Architecture Technical Specialist (NATS)

GM • Milford, MI

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

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.

Requirements

• 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).
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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.

Benefits

• 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 .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level