Senior Full Stack Developer, Product Management - Experience Prototyping

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Full Stack Developer, Product Management - Experience Prototyping

Company: General Motors

Location: Warren, Michigan, United States / Mountain View, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Software Development / Product Management Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-14

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office minimum)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in defining and prototyping next-generation software experiences for mobile, infotainment, and embedded automotive platforms.

• You will be instrumental in building functional prototypes to validate customer and business value, directly influencing product roadmaps and requirements.

• Acts as a technical consultant and domain partner, bridging vehicle systems, software, and hardware technologies with product context.

• Requires a strong full-stack technical foundation, comfort with ambiguity, and a passion for innovation within a fast-paced prototyping environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on the intersection of product management and hands-on development through rapid prototyping, rather than long-term production engineering. The emphasis is on speed, experimentation, and informing strategic decisions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy rapid prototype solutions that serve as experiments for gathering insights and data to enable informed decision-making across the organization.

• Provide best-practice recommendations for software development across a wide range of technologies and platforms relevant to automotive user experiences.

• Continuously expand knowledge in emerging technologies, development frameworks, GM's vehicle development cycles, in-vehicle and cloud-based architecture, and GM's business model as it relates to software enablement.

• Act as a technical consultant to Product, Design, and Engineering teams, providing guidance on future product experiences and technical feasibility.

• Embrace a "breadth-over-depth" approach, working across diverse topics and technologies with a focus on rapid prototyping rather than long-term implementation or customer deployment.

• Collaborate closely with product managers and designers to ensure prototyped experiences align with user needs and strategic goals.

• Connect technical innovation with product context to deliver impactful prototypes that validate customer and business value.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibility is rapid prototyping to inform product strategy. This implies a focus on speed, iteration, and delivering functional proofs-of-concept that can be quickly tested and evaluated, rather than building robust, production-ready code.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5+ years of experience as a Full Stack Developer with a strong emphasis on mobile app development, backend development, and multi-system integration.

Required Skills:

• Mobile App Development: Proficient in developing Android applications for multiple form factors using Jetpack components and Compose UI.

• Backend Development: Skilled in backend technologies including Node.js, Java (Spring Boot), and Python (Flask), with expertise in API design, data modeling, and service orchestration.

• Multi-System Integration: Demonstrated success in integrating diverse systems across mobile platforms, cloud services, IoT, and other relevant environments.

• Collaboration: Proven experience effectively collaborating with product and design teams within agile work environments.

• Full Stack Proficiency: Comprehensive understanding and practical application of full-stack development principles.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within agile development frameworks.

Preferred Skills:

• 8+ years of experience in Full Stack Development.

• In-Vehicle App Development: Skilled in AOSP (Android Open Source Project) and automotive software/hardware architecture, including in-vehicle systems, connectivity, and embedded platforms.

• Automotive Industry Familiarity: Prior experience working with or within General Motors (GM), or strong familiarity with GM’s technology stack, development cycles, and product ecosystem.

• Innovation & Prototyping: Demonstrated ability to bridge technical and business domains, especially in fast-paced prototyping or innovation environments.

• Embedded Systems: Experience with embedded systems and digital circuits, e.g., using C++, Arduino, or Raspberry Pi to prototype hardware solutions.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams in large enterprise or automotive settings.

• Machine Learning: An understanding of machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn is advantageous for projects involving data-driven decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "breadth-over-depth" approach in preferred qualifications suggests that while deep expertise in one area is valuable, the ability to quickly adapt and contribute across multiple technologies is highly prized for this prototyping role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of rapid prototyping capabilities for mobile, backend, and integrated systems.

• Case studies showcasing the ability to quickly build functional prototypes that validate product hypotheses or gather user feedback.

• Examples of API design and data modeling for prototype environments.

• Documentation or examples of multi-system integration in prototype scenarios.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase of agile development processes used in rapid prototyping cycles.

• Examples of how prototypes were used to gather insights and inform product decisions.

• Documentation of how user needs and strategic goals were translated into prototype features.

• Examples of technical consultation provided to product and design teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the prototyping focus, a portfolio demonstrating speed, versatility, and the ability to translate ideas into functional prototypes quickly will be crucial. It should highlight problem-solving and rapid iteration rather than long-term system architecture.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $153,200 - $234,100 USD per year.

Note: This is a good faith estimate for the California Bay Area. Actual compensation may vary based on location, experience, and other relevant factors.

Benefits:

• Bonus Potential: An incentive pay program offering payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.

• Comprehensive Health & Well-being: GM offers benefits designed to support employee well-being at work and at home, allowing focus on career ambitions. Specific details are available through their Total Rewards resources.

• Retirement Savings Plans: (Implied through Total Rewards)

• Paid Time Off: (Implied through Total Rewards)

• Professional Development: Opportunities to learn and grow within the company.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with a hybrid arrangement requiring a minimum of 3 days in office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the California Bay Area and may differ for the Warren, MI location due to regional cost of living and market rates. The bonus potential indicates a performance-driven compensation structure common in tech and automotive industries.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Technology. General Motors is a global leader focused on innovation in mobility, aiming for zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (likely tens of thousands of employees globally). This implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for significant impact.

Founded: 1908. With a long history, GM has a deep understanding of the automotive market and is undergoing a significant transformation towards software-defined vehicles.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Software & Services Product Management organization, specifically focusing on the Experience Prototyping team.

• This team works closely with Product Managers, Designers, and various Engineering teams across GM.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The team operates within agile work environments, emphasizing rapid iteration and collaboration.

• Prototyping & Experimentation: A core methodology involves designing and deploying prototype solutions to gather insights and validate product concepts.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Prototypes are used to collect data that informs product roadmaps and strategic decisions.

• User-Centric Design: Focus on aligning prototyped experiences with user needs and strategic goals.

Company Website: https://www.gm.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: GM's focus on "Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion" and its transition to software-defined vehicles indicates a forward-thinking culture that values innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement, particularly in software.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior," indicating a level of expertise and autonomy beyond junior or mid-level positions. It requires significant experience in full-stack development, particularly within prototyping and product innovation contexts.

Reporting Structure: The role reports within the Product Management - Experience Prototyping team, likely to a Product Manager or Engineering Lead overseeing prototyping initiatives. Collaboration is expected with Product, Design, and various Engineering teams.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on shaping the future of GM's software-defined vehicles. By rapidly prototyping and validating new user experiences, it influences product roadmaps, R&D investment, and ultimately, the customer's interaction with GM vehicles, driving innovation and competitive advantage in the evolving mobility market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like Android Jetpack Compose, in-vehicle systems, or emerging prototyping technologies.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop skills in leading technical discussions and influencing product strategy across diverse teams.

• Innovation Leadership: Become a go-to expert for rapid prototyping and experimental development within GM's software organization.

• Career Path: Potential progression into Technical Lead, Principal Engineer, or specialized roles within Product Management or Software Architecture, focusing on innovation and emerging technologies.

• Industry Exposure: Gain deep insights into automotive software development cycles, trends, and the future of mobility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "breadth-over-depth" preference suggests that growth might come from accumulating diverse experiences across different technology stacks and product areas, rather than solely from deep specialization in one narrow field, especially within the prototyping context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week at either the Mountain View, CA or Warren, MI Technical/Innovation Center. This suggests a blend of focused individual work and collaborative team interaction.

Office Location(s):

• GM Global Technical Center, Warren, Michigan, United States (Building 7000)

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The requirement to be in the office three days a week implies access to collaborative environments designed for team interaction, brainstorming, and cross-functional meetings.

• Technology Access: As a senior developer in a tech-focused role at a major automotive company, expect access to modern development tools, hardware, and potentially specialized prototyping equipment.

• Innovation Hubs: Both Mountain View and Warren are likely hubs for R&D and innovation, fostering an environment where new ideas are explored and tested.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time employment, with a hybrid arrangement. Flexibility may exist regarding daily start/end times, but core hours will likely be expected for team collaboration. The focus is on delivering results through effective prototyping, regardless of precise daily hours, within the hybrid framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model at major technical centers indicates a company culture that values both focused, individual work (potentially done remotely) and in-person collaboration, ideation, and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and application, focusing on required skills and experience in full-stack development, mobile, and prototyping.

• Technical Interview(s): Likely involve coding challenges, system design discussions, and scenario-based questions focused on prototyping, agile development, and full-stack technologies (Android, Node.js, Java, Python). Expect questions on API design and integration challenges.

• Prototyping/Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates will present their portfolio, showcasing specific examples of rapid prototypes, their development process, and the impact these prototypes had.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of collaboration skills, ability to navigate ambiguity, technical leadership, and alignment with GM's innovation culture.

• Hiring Manager Discussion: Final discussion to assess overall fit, answer candidate questions, and outline next steps.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Prototyping Speed: Showcase projects where you quickly built functional prototypes to test ideas. Emphasize iteration cycles.

• Demonstrate Full Stack Capability: Include examples that span mobile (Android/Compose), backend (Node.js/Java/Python), and integration aspects.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, quantify the value of your prototypes (e.g., "validated X user need," "informed Y product decision," "reduced R&D cycle time by Z%").

• Showcase Collaboration: Include projects where you worked closely with product and design teams, illustrating how you translated their requirements into functional prototypes.

• Technical Depth & Breadth: Be prepared to discuss the technical choices made, why certain technologies were selected for prototyping, and demonstrate your ability to work across different tech stacks.

• Address Ambiguity: Prepare to discuss how you approach projects with unclear requirements and how you use prototyping to reduce ambiguity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Exercises: Practice Android development with Jetpack Compose, and backend development with Node.js/Java/Python.

• System Design: Be ready to design a system for a prototype, focusing on rapid development and integration rather than scalability for production.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare answers for how you would approach prototyping a new in-vehicle feature, integrate a new sensor, or collaborate with a design team on a concept.

• Understand GM's Vision: Research GM's current software initiatives, their vision for software-defined vehicles, and their focus on user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on prototyping and a "breadth-over-depth" approach means interviewers will likely assess your ability to quickly learn and apply new technologies for experimental purposes, rather than your deep, long-term production expertise in a single area.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Mobile Development: Android Studio, Jetpack Compose, Kotlin.

• Backend Development: Node.js, Java (Spring Boot), Python (Flask).

• Cloud Services: Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) for hosting prototypes and backend services.

• Version Control: Git, GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket.

• Prototyping Tools: Potentially tools like Figma for design handoffs, and rapid development frameworks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience using analytics to gather insights from prototypes (e.g., user interaction data).

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM/Automation role, understanding how prototypes might integrate with or inform future CRM/automation strategies is beneficial.

Preferred/Advantageous Tools:

• Embedded Systems: C++, Arduino, Raspberry Pi.

• Machine Learning: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn.

• Automotive Specific: AOSP, in-vehicle systems, connectivity platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tech stack is broad, reflecting the prototyping nature of the role. The emphasis is on proficiency in core mobile and backend technologies, with a willingness and ability to leverage other tools (like embedded systems or ML frameworks) as needed for specific prototypes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Curiosity: A strong drive to explore new technologies and push the boundaries of automotive software experiences.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with product managers, designers, and engineers to bring ideas to life.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and designing for the end-user's needs and enhancing their mobility experience.

• Agility & Adaptability: Embracing a fast-paced environment, comfortable with change, and capable of rapid iteration.

• Impact-Driven: Focused on delivering tangible value through prototypes that inform critical business and product decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engages with diverse teams (Product, Design, Engineering) to ensure prototypes are technically feasible and strategically aligned.

• Open Communication: Encourages transparent feedback loops for continuous improvement of prototypes and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share learnings from prototyping experiments across the team and wider organization.

• Experimental Mindset: Fosters an environment where experimentation is encouraged, and learning from both successes and failures is prioritized.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values proactive individuals who can drive innovation through hands-on development and effective collaboration, fitting into GM's broader transformation towards a software-centric automotive future.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working on projects with evolving requirements and undefined endpoints, typical of early-stage innovation and prototyping.

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: The need to deliver functional prototypes quickly, often under tight deadlines, requires efficient development and problem-solving.

• Bridging Technical & Product Domains: Effectively translating complex technical capabilities into user-centric experiences and communicating technical limitations to non-technical stakeholders.

• Breadth of Technologies: Staying current and proficient across a wide range of technologies required for diverse prototyping needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Emerging Automotive Tech: Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge in-vehicle systems, connectivity, and future mobility concepts.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to develop proficiency in new programming languages, frameworks, and hardware prototyping techniques.

• Product Strategy Influence: Directly contribute to shaping the product direction of GM's future vehicles.

• Cross-Functional Networking: Build relationships with leaders and experts across Product, Design, and various Engineering disciplines within GM.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior leaders in software and product management, or to mentor junior developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in becoming a versatile, innovation-focused developer who can rapidly translate ideas into tangible prototypes, bridging the gap between conceptualization and product validation within a major automotive enterprise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to prototype a complex feature with ambiguous requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?"

• "How would you go about designing a prototype for a new in-car voice assistant feature, considering both user experience and technical feasibility?"

• "Explain your process for integrating a new hardware component (e.g., a sensor) into a software prototype."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about General Motors' vision for software-defined vehicles?"

• "How do you see your role contributing to GM's goal of zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion?"

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with remote and in-office team members."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type (e.g., Mobile Prototype, Backend Service, Integrated System). For each project, clearly state the problem, your solution (prototype), the technologies used, your role, and the outcome/learnings.

• Demonstrate Breadth: Showcase examples that highlight your full-stack capabilities and your ability to work across different technology areas.

• Highlight Prototyping: Explicitly label projects as prototypes and explain their purpose (e.g., user validation, technical feasibility, concept demonstration).

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics where possible to show the value or learning derived from your prototypes.

• Technical Walkthrough: Be prepared to walk through code snippets or architecture diagrams for key projects, explaining your design decisions.

• Address the "Breadth-over-Depth" aspect: Explain how you effectively gained enough understanding of various technologies to build functional prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss how your prototyping work directly informs product strategy and business value, demonstrating your understanding of the role's purpose beyond just technical execution.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Full Stack Developer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the General Motors careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to prominently feature your experience in full-stack development, rapid prototyping, mobile (Android/Compose), backend technologies (Node.js, Java, Python), and multi-system integration. Highlight specific projects that demonstrate your ability to quickly build functional prototypes and gather insights.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 5+ years of relevant experience, emphasizing achievements in prototyping, agile development, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice answering strategy, technical, and behavioral questions. Prepare a compelling presentation of your portfolio, focusing on your prototyping process, technical choices, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your understanding of GM's vision and the automotive industry's software evolution.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research General Motors' current software initiatives, their "Zero" vision (crashes, emissions, congestion), and their approach to software-defined vehicles. Understand their hybrid work model and innovation culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.