Senior Controls Engineer

General Motors; Bedford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation benefits

Travel 25–50%

Job summary

General Motors in Bedford, UK is seeking a Senior Process Controls Engineer to lead control systems development, integration, and ongoing improvements across programs.

You'll mentor junior engineers, drive launches, and stay ahead of PLC/HMI/robotics innovations while aligning with production, operations, and cross‑functional teams. The role includes 25–50% travel and onsite work; relocation benefits may be offered.

Qualifications

• 4+ years across multiple Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and plant assignments with a track record of success.
• Strong engineering, analytical, and problem‑solving capabilities for unusual challenges.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence cross‑functional partners.
• Working knowledge of plant floor systems, including Production Monitoring and Control, Andon, DMU uploads/downloads, throughput.
• Experience with tooling systems and common controls hardware/software standards.
• Experience with Rockwell PLCs, Fanuc programming, and Siemens Sinumerik controls.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Hands‑on automation controls design and project execution from concept through implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead new program execution from SOR to buyoff and forecast.
• Oversee design, construction, and installation of controls systems for launches.
• Stay current with PLCs, HMIs, networks, robotics, and vision systems.
• Manage deliverables to meet milestones and report to senior leadership.
• Provide troubleshooting and root cause analysis for existing programs.
• Mentor junior controls engineers to upskill the team.
• Design and troubleshoot electrical control systems for manufacturing equipment.
• Contribute to development and testing of advanced process technologies.

Skills

Manufacturing Engineering

Controls engineering

Project management

Communication skills

Rockwell PLCs

Fanuc robot programming

Siemens Sinumerik

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Rockwell PLCs

Fanuc robotics

Siemens Sinumerik

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.

The Role

As a Senior Process Controls Engineer, you will lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of manufacturing controls across new and existing programs. This role supports both centralized manufacturing engineering and plant operations, requiring a high degree of technical expertise, creative problem‑solving, and independent judgment. You will serve as a subject‑matter expert in controls and automation technologies while mentoring junior engineers and driving successful program launches.

What You’ll Do

• Lead new program execution, including SOR preparation, forecasting, controls and robotics design, equipment build/run‑off, and buyoff.
• Oversee the design, construction, integration, and plant installation of controls systems to support successful launches and long‑term performance.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, robotics, and vision systems to drive innovation and plant readiness.
• Manage program deliverables to meet timing milestones and provide clear project report‑outs to senior leadership.
• Provide technical support for existing programs, including troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, and optimization of controls systems.
• Offer technical direction and mentorship to less‑experienced controls engineers to upskill the team and support project execution.
• Design, review, and troubleshoot electrical control systems for manufacturing equipment.
• Contribute to the development and testing of advanced process technologies that improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Lead project management activities for controls deliverables, ensuring alignment across engineering, operations, and cross‑functional partners.

Required Qualifications – Your Skills & Abilities

• Experience across multiple Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and plant assignments (4+ years), with a track record of successful individual and team-based achievements.
• Strong engineering, critical thinking, and analytical skills to solve unusual and difficult problems.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and align cross‑functional partners.
• Working knowledge of plant floor systems, including Production Monitoring and Control, Andon Systems, Upload/Download and Compare, Throughput and Material Call.
• Prior work experience in tooling systems with knowledge of Common Controls Hardware and Common Controls Software Standards.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and parts design interface for applications, including Rockwell PLCs, Fanuc robot programming, and CNC experience (Siemens Sinumerik).
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience with Manufacturing Engineering plant floor controls systems, including hands‑on automation controls design and project execution from concept through implementation.
• Self‑motivated, able to multitask, and provide clear technical direction to others, both face‑to‑face and remotely.
• Proven project management skills, including planning, execution, and risk/issue management.

Preferred Qualifications – What Will Set You Apart

• Strong understanding of high-volume manufacturing processes in production shops and associated quality management systems.
• Extensive experience with manufacturing execution, production monitoring, and plant‑floor information systems, including data collection, analytics, and reporting tools.
• Proven experience leading new product / process launch activities, ensuring controls strategies are integrated with plant systems and aligned to launch deliverables.
• Hands‑on experience with enterprise or common industrial controls architectures and/or vision system programming.

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 on a regular basis (25-50%) for this role. 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.

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

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