Sr. Hardware Engineer- Display Optics

Description

The Role:
To achieve our vision of a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion, GM Hardware platform is evolving to provide robust service to our customers. This position is part of the Display Design & Development team within the Compute & Connectivity Hardware organization.

We are seeking a high-performing LCD Optical Architecture Engineer to lead the specification, selection, and validation of optical film components used in LCD modules for our next-generation displays. You will play a key role in optimizing light management film stacks to achieve industry-leading performance in luminance, contrast ratio, and optical
efficiency under diverse automotive operating conditions.

The LCD Optical Architecture Engineer will support the development and production of display systems such as instrument clusters, center displays, and passenger infotainment screens. The engineer will be responsible for the architecture and performance optimization of light management films including DBEF (Dual Brightness Enhancement Film), BEF (Brightness Enhancement Film), diffuser films, prism films, polarizers, and compensation films. You will work closely with display panel suppliers, optical material suppliers, and internal cross-functional teams to ensure film stacks meet GM’s optical performance, and durability standards.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities):

Design and optimize the optical film stack architecture for LCD modules used in automotive interior displays.

Select appropriate brightness enhancement and optical compensation films (e.g., DBEF, BEF, diffuser, prism, etc.) based on application and system requirements.

Conduct film stack simulations and ray tracing analysis to evaluate trade-offs in brightness, viewing angle, color shift, and efficiency.

Collaborate with display panel suppliers to define and validate film stack structures under automotive conditions including temperature cycling, humidity, vibration, and sunlight exposure.

Analyze optical measurement data (e.g., luminance, contrast ratio, haze, reflectance, viewing cone, color shift) and correlate with film stack properties.

Investigate and resolve optical issues such as non-uniformity, Mura, and halo artifacts related to film stack interaction.

Interface with materials suppliers to evaluate new film materials and lamination processes for enhanced durability and optical performance.

Provide technical direction on film stack DFM and ensure robust performance across the display supply chain.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications):

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Display Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.

5+ years of experience in optical film stack design, display optics, or light management systems.

Deep understanding of LCD optical architecture, particularly brightness enhancement and polarization management films.

Familiarity with film performance metrics such as halo, haze, birefringence, angular luminance, and reflectivity.

Proficiency with optical simulation and analysis tools.

Experience with optical characterization equipment (e.g., imaging colorimeters, spectroradiometers).

Understanding of automotive optical performance requirements.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):

Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Display Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.

Experience with Tier-2 display panel suppliers or film material supplier.

Knowledge of Mini LED backlight and its interaction with film stacks.

Familiarity with optical bonding and cover glass stack integration.

Experience in qualifying new film materials for thermal, UV, and mechanical durability.

#LI-DH2

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}.

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

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.

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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.

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