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Senior Localization Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Autonomy Mapping & Localization group's mission is to provide our vehicles with world-class ... Provide high-level technical mentorship to senior and junior engineers, conducting deep-dive design ...

OR · On-site

$141K - $242K/yr

As a Senior or Staff Software Engineer on the Localization team, you will be a domain expert architecting the highly precise, robust state estimation systems that keep our robotaxis and 80,000lb ...

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Senior Localization Engineer information

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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior localization engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior localization engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Localization Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Localization Engineer, you need expertise in localization processes, programming languages (such as Python or JavaScript), and a solid understanding of globalization standards, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with translation management systems (TMS), CAT tools, version control systems (like Git), and industry certifications such as ATA or localization engineering credentials are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, cross-cultural communication, and project management skills set top performers apart in this position. These competencies ensure accurate, efficient, and culturally appropriate adaptation of products for global markets, driving business growth and user satisfaction.

What are some common challenges Senior Localization Engineers face when managing multilingual software projects?

Senior Localization Engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistency across multiple language versions, handling complex file formats, and integrating localization workflows into fast-paced development cycles. They must also ensure that translations are contextually accurate and culturally appropriate, which requires close collaboration with translators, developers, and QA teams. Staying up-to-date with localization technologies and troubleshooting technical issues related to character encoding or automated processes are also key aspects of the role.

What are Senior Localization Engineers?

Senior Localization Engineers are professionals who specialize in adapting software, websites, or digital content for different languages and regions. They are responsible for managing the technical aspects of localization, such as integrating translation workflows, automating processes, and ensuring compatibility with various languages and scripts. Senior Localization Engineers often collaborate with developers, translators, and project managers to streamline localization projects and solve complex technical challenges. Their expertise helps ensure that products are accessible and user-friendly for global audiences.

What is the difference between Senior Localization Engineer vs Localization Engineer?

AspectSenior Localization EngineerLocalization Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in translation, linguistics, or related field; experience in localization toolsSimilar educational background; less experience required
Work EnvironmentLeading localization projects, mentoring junior staff, coordinating with cross-functional teamsSupporting localization tasks, implementing translation workflows
Employer & IndustryTech companies, gaming, software developmentSame industries, entry to mid-level roles

The main difference is that Senior Localization Engineers typically have more experience, lead projects, and mentor others, while Localization Engineers focus on executing localization tasks. Both roles require similar skills and work in comparable environments, but the senior role involves greater responsibility and leadership.

More about Senior Localization Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Localization Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Localization Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Localization Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Localization Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Localization Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Localization Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Localization Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Localization Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Senior Localization Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Part Time. Highlights an 95% Physical, and 5% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.
Senior State Estimation Engineer - Localization

Senior State Estimation Engineer - Localization

General Motors

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$170.60K - $261.30K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


General Motors rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 301 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 44 rated automakers


Job description

Job Description
At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We're turning today's impossible into tomorrow's standard -from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.
Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.
Description:
As a Senior State Estimation Engineer within the SEAM Embodied AI organization, you will be a senior individual contributor driving cutting-edge sensor calibration and state estimation solutions that directly impact autonomous driving performance. Your role is pivotal in designing, architecting, and deploying advanced systems for purposes including pinpointing the vehicle's location in the world, and calibrating parameters of all sensors to ensure they optimally support many other vehicle subsystems. You'll lead critical technical initiatives, collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, mentor engineers across the organization, and significantly shape the future of onboard autonomous driving capabilities.
About the Organization:
The SEAM Embodied AI team is at the forefront of developing groundbreaking sensor fusion systems powering fully autonomous vehicles. We leverage modern approaches that are both practical and theoretically sound, supported with top quality code and rigorous testing. Our solutions enable robust state estimation for the purposes of real-time localization, static and dynamic sensor calibration, as well as onboard and offboard high-fidelity map creation at scale. Join a collaborative and innovative team redefining autonomy through state-of-the-art methodology, delivering solutions that move beyond current technological boundaries.
What You'll Do:
  • Drive the design, development, and deployment of advanced solutions for state estimation, localization, sensor calibration and more.
  • Lead and architect complex projects, from conception through validation to onboard implementation, emphasizing scalability, robustness, and safety-critical operation.
  • Drive innovation in vehicle motion estimation, determination of vehicle pose in global maps, multi-sensor self-calibration in unstructured environments, state estimation architectures, and fault tolerance strategies suited for real-time onboard deployment.
  • Provide technical mentorship and thought leadership, elevating engineering practices, and fostering innovation across teams.
  • Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering groups, ensuring seamless integration of localization, sensor alignment, and other capabilities into autonomous vehicle systems.
  • Influence technical roadmaps, shaping strategic priorities aligned with company objectives and product milestones.

Your Skills & Abilities:
  • Master's or Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years of extensive experience developing and deploying advanced state estimation and/or sensor calibration systems, particularly in real-time onboard applications.
  • Proven track record as a technical leader and expert in state estimation, localization and/or sensor calibration, operating on a wide variety of sensor inputs to perform robustly within safety-critical systems.
  • Strong software engineering proficiency, particularly in C++ and Python, alongside extensive hands-on experience with development, integration, and testing tools.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and mentoring abilities, comfortable influencing technical strategy and guiding engineering excellence across the organization.

Bonus:
  • AV/ADAS experience is a big plus

Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to the assigned office three times per week, at minimum.
Compensation: The compensation information is a good faith estimate only. It is based on what a successful applicant might be paid in accordance with applicable state laws. The compensation may not be representative for positions located outside of the California Bay Area.
  • The salary range for this role is $170,600.00 to $261,300.00. The actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.

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

Benefits:
  • Benefits: GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.

#GM-AV-1
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.
Benefits Overview
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.
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.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
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.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, emailus or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

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About General Motors

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

General Motors is a company with global scale and capabilities, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, with employees around the world. The company employs over 165,000 people, serves six continents, operates across 22 time zones, and has a diverse workforce speaking 75 languages1. GM’s vision is to drive the world forward by pioneering innovations that move and connect people to what matters. The company is working towards an all-electric future with its new Ultium Platform and is pushing transportation options beyond our wildest imaginations with autonomous vehicles. GM is also committed to becoming the most inclusive company in the world.

Industry

Transportation equipment manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Detroit, MI, US

Year founded

1908