Automation Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Role

The Automation Controls Engineer is a plant‑embedded, hands‑on engineering role supporting the General Assembly manufacturing operations during off‑shift hours. This position is often the only controls engineer on shift and requires strong independent technical judgment to troubleshoot, stabilize, and improve production equipment with limited escalation support.

This role supports a mixed environment of conveyance and process‑driven systems, including automotive material handling as well as general assembly equipment. In addition to off‑shift production support, the engineer will participate in planned shutdowns, downtimes, and model change activities, supporting project execution, upgrades, and long‑term reliability improvements.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting and support for PLC‑, drive‑, and network‑based manufacturing systems during 3rd‑shift production.
• Serve as the primary controls engineering escalation point for Skilled Trades during off‑shift events.
• Diagnose and resolve issues on automotive conveyance systems (e.g., skid, skillet, power‑and‑free, EMS/VAC).
• Support and troubleshoot general assembly equipment.
• Troubleshoot and support Rockwell PowerFlex VFDs, motor starters, and related drive‑controlled equipment impacting throughput or process stability.
• Diagnose DeviceNet and EtherNet/IP communication issues affecting production systems.
• Support, troubleshoot, and modify Siemens HMIs programmed via TIA Portal, including alarm handling, visualization, and operator interface issues.
• Support and stabilize PID‑controlled processes, including temperature, airflow, pressure, and flow loops, in coordination with operations.
• Perform root‑cause analysis on recurring equipment or process failures and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Make sound risk‑based decisions during live production regarding intervention, containment, or deferral to dayshift.
• Support and execute controls projects during planned shutdowns, downtimes, and model launch activities, including installation support, integration, debug, and validation.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, and Skilled Trades to improve equipment reliability, process stability, and maintainability.
• Maintain and update controls documentation, backups, and standards as required.
• Champion safety as the highest priority during all troubleshooting and project activities.

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• 3+ years of experience as an automation controls engineer, robotics engineer, manufacturing engineer, or robot programmer.
• Strong technical knowledge and troubleshooting experience with robotics and automation systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on experience with Fanuc 2D and 3D vision sensors.
• Ability to program, troubleshoot, and modify Rockwell / Allen‑Bradley ControlLogix or GuardLogix PLCs in a production environment.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience supporting automotive conveyance systems (e.g., skid, skillet, power‑and‑free, EMS/VAC).
• Strong troubleshooting experience with Rockwell PowerFlex VFDs and motor starters.
• Working knowledge of PID control fundamentals and experience stabilizing temperature, airflow, pressure, or flow processes.
• Working knowledge of DeviceNet and EtherNet/IP industrial networks and associated diagnostics.
• This is a 2nd shift Alternative Work Schedule position.
• Must be able to work off shifts when required.

What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• 3+ years of prior automotive or manufacturing experience, particularly in General Assembly manufacturing environments.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred in an engineering discipline.
• Experience serving as the primary or sole controls engineer on an off‑shift.
• Experience supporting or commissioning large‑scale conveyance systems.
• Working knowledge of GM controls standards (e.g., GCCH‑1, GCCS‑2).
• Experience with Fanuc robots or robot‑integrated systems.
• EPLAN experience or certification.
• Experience with vision systems (e.g., Cognex, VMT, Liberty Reach, Keyence).

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc). This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis. The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role. This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

About GM

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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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