Staff Software Engineer – Discrete Event Simulation & Route Optimization

Staff Software Engineer – Discrete Event Simulation & Optimization

The Autonomous Robotics Center (ARC) is a multidisciplinary organization developing the next generation of intelligent, highly automated manufacturing systems for General Motors. We're looking for a Staff Software Engineer – Discrete Event Simulation & Optimization to lead the design and implementation of advanced algorithms and simulation capabilities that power GM's digital factory, production systems, and robotics experiences.

You will own end-to-end solutions: from modeling complex systems and building discrete event simulation (DES) models, to developing optimization-based algorithms for routing and scheduling, and delivering performant, production-ready software services that integrate with GM's internal platforms.

What You'll Do

• Design and implement core algorithms for discrete event simulation, scheduling, routing, graph-based modeling, and system optimization.
• Build and maintain DES models of complex systems (e.g., production lines, AMR flows, logistics networks), including event logic, resources, and KPIs.
• Build and run large-scale simulation experiments and translate results into actionable recommendations for throughput, cost, and reliability improvements.
• Develop and maintain core data structures and services for maps, graphs, and spatial databases.
• Develop production-quality software (primarily in Python and C#) and expose capabilities via stable APIs and internal tools.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (manufacturing, robotics, data, and platform engineering) to connect models with real-world telemetry and digital twins.
• Define and champion best practices for algorithm design, simulation modeling, testing, and observability.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership on algorithms, modeling, and software design.

What You Bring

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, or a related field; PhD or equivalent experience preferred.
• 10+ years of software engineering experience with a strong focus on algorithms, simulation, or optimization.
• Strong skills in Python, C++, C#, or similar languages, with a track record of shipping production-quality software.
• Deep experience implementing and optimizing shortest-path and routing algorithms (e.g., Dijkstra, A*, flows, matchings, search on large graphs).
• Solid expertise in probability, statistics, and stochastic processes applied to modeling and simulation (e.g., Monte Carlo simulation).
• Experience running large batches of simulations or distributed experiments (cloud or on-prem).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a history of influencing architecture and technical direction.
• Practical experience with simulation frameworks (e.g., SimPy, AnyLogic, Arena, or custom DES frameworks).

Competitive Edge

• Experience in full stack software development for graph and/or map systems.
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial automation, robotics, logistics, or autonomous systems.
• Background in operations research (e.g., linear/integer programming, constraint programming, or meta-heuristics).
• Familiarity with digital twins, 3D/physics-based simulation, or factory/warehouse simulation tools.

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 <25% for this role. This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.