About the role#
The State Estimation, Alignment, and Mapping (SEAM) team builds sensing and spatial understanding capabilities for autonomous vehicles. As an intern, you will work on a research or engineering project focused on sensing, localization, mapping, or autonomy reliability. You will collaborate with engineers to design algorithms, implement software, and evaluate how sensing capabilities perform in real-world driving systems. Potential focus areas include state estimation, sensor fusion, sensor calibration, localization, and next-generation mapping.
What you'll do#
- Develop, prototype, and evaluate algorithms for sensor fusion, state estimation, localization, calibration, and mapping.
- Work with multimodal data sources including camera, lidar, radar, inertial, and map data.
- Implement software and tools for data processing, visualization, offline analysis, simulation, and system evaluation.
- Analyze accuracy, robustness, latency, and failure modes across diverse operating conditions.
- Apply software engineering best practices, including design reviews, code reviews, automated testing, and documentation.
- Collaborate with perception, planning, controls, robotics, and systems engineering partners.
- Communicate technical findings and contribute to design discussions.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
- Graduation date between December 2027 and June 2028.
- Demonstrated experience in robotics, state estimation, sensor fusion, computer vision, localization, mapping, or controls.
- Strong programming skills in C++ and/or Python.
- Foundation in linear algebra, probability, geometry, optimization, or estimation methods.
- Ability to work full-time (40 hours per week) during the summer 2027 term.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Experience with Kalman filtering, factor graphs, SLAM, visual-inertial odometry, bundle adjustment, point clouds, or multi-sensor calibration is preferred.
- Familiarity with autonomous vehicles, ROS, machine learning frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow, and real-time or distributed systems is a plus.
Location & details#
- Location: Sunnyvale, California.
- Work Modality: Hybrid (expected to be on-site 3 days per week).
- Term: Summer 2027.
- This is a paid, full-time internship.
About General Motors
General Motors is a public company based in Detroit, Michigan. It operates in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry. The company employs over 106,000 people. Its work spans the design and production of cars, trucks, and transportation technology, including software, electrification, and AI.
How to get in at General Motors
Securing an internship at General Motors requires a proactive approach to the application timeline. Because early applicants are often reviewed before the volume of candidates becomes unmanageable, Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published. This allows you to submit your materials among the first group of applicants. Reaching out to the right person can also change your outcome. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles, which lets you contact them directly to ask about the position or a potential referral. This direct connection often improves response rates compared to submitting an application into a general queue.
