2027 Summer Intern - Manufacturing Controls Engineer

General Motors; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is seeking a Controls Engineer Intern to support maintenance personnel in operating and maintaining specialist equipment at GM plants. You will gain hands-on electrical engineering experience, perform root-cause analysis, and contribute to safety, ergonomics, and housekeeping objectives.

The role emphasizes problem solving, teamwork, and leadership in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. Responsibilities include leading electrical projects, supporting engineering in plant meetings,

Qualifications

• Pursuit of a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Electrical Engineering Technology or Controls Engineering.
• Must be graduating between August 2027 and June 2029.
• Able to work full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Must be willing to work in a plant environment.

Responsibilities

• Leads electrical projects including new or operations improvements, and periodic repair and replacement.
• Participates in plant meetings and related activities to represent engineering and assist in reaching performance goals.
• Develops cost estimates, investment forecasts, business cases, appropriation requests and plans for minor project activity.
• Utilizes statistical methods for continuous improvement on plant systems.
• Develops and monitors planning timetables and project schedules.
• Coordinates and communicates changes to improve conditions for the assembly process.
• Programming of manufacturing technology (PLC, robotics, HMI).
• Analyzes product, process and technology to determine best methods of manufacture.
• Assists in design and building of tools and equipment or recommends improvements to existing processes.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Electrical Engineering

Tools

PLC programming

Robotics

HMI

Job description

What You’ll Do:

Our plants are the groundwork for GM and a hotbed of innovation. We are looking for controls engineer interns to assist maintenance personnel in operation and maintenance of specialist equipment.

Job Description

What You’ll Do:

Our plants are the groundwork for GM and a hotbed of innovation. We are looking for controls engineer interns to assist maintenance personnel in operation and maintenance of specialist equipment.

As a Controls Engineer Intern, you will be accountable for controls engineering and electrical support for industrial manufacturing equipment. These tasks teach you electrical root causing analysis and problem solving as well as leadership skills to provide technical support and direction to support personnel/skilled trades within the organization. Quality and safety are extremely meaningful to us, so enforcing safe work practices is the highest priority and implementing objectives for ergonomics, health/safety, and housekeeping, which means that you would have to investigate system and equipment problems and provide technical input in problem resolution.

Responsibilities:

• Leads electrical projects including new or operations improvements, and periodic repair and replacement
• Participates in functional area plant meetings and related activities to represent engineering and to assist in reaching the plant's performance goals
• Develops cost estimates, investment forecasts, business cases, appropriation requests and plans for minor project activity
• Utilizes statistical methods for continuous improvement on plant systems
• Develops and monitors planning timetables and project schedules
• Coordinates and communicates the development of changes to improve conditions for the assembly process
• Programming of manufacturing technology(PLC, robotics, HMI)
• Analyzes product, process and technology to determine the best methods of manufacture
• Assists in the design and building of tools and equipment or recommends improvements to existing processes

Required Qualifications:

• Pursuit of a bachelor's degree in one of the following areas: Electrical Engineering/Electrical Engineering Technology,or Controls Engineering
• Must be graduating between August 2027 and June 2029
• Able to work full-time, 40 hours per week
• Must be willing to work in a plant environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with varying levels of the organization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex subjects to a wider audience
• Emerging partnership and collaboration skills and ability to learn from and share knowledge with co-workers in a fast-paced environment
• Evidence of strong character with integrity, honesty, accountability and trust
• Consistently demonstrates innovative thinking that is customer-centric
• Excellent project management skills and the proven ability to manage multiple projects at any given time.

Specific physical requirements of the position include the ability to:

• Walk and stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Read standardized work instructions, operate machines and tools, and perform quality inspections.
• Promptly detect and respond to safety instructions, alarms, and signals. Wear personal protective equipment, for example: safety glasses, gloves, hats, ear plugs, and safety shoes.
• Work in a loud manufacturing environment that is not climate controlled (conditions can be hot or cold).
• Frequently and repetitively bend, twist, kneel, crouch, and reach to perform work.
• Lift or carry materials weighing up to 15 pounds and periodically carry or lift materials weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Occasionally sit, climb (including ladders and lifts) and drive vehicles and equipment.

Work Arrangement:

Onsite:

This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to their assigned facility on a full-time basis.

Each successful candidate will be offered an onsite role at a specific location. Candidate location preferences are considered but cannot be guaranteed.

Job Location

• Arlington, TX
• Bay City, MI
• Bedford, IN
• Bowling Green, KY
• Defiance, OH
• Detroit, MI
• Fairfax, KS
• Flint, MI
• Grand Rapids, MI
• Lansing, MI
• Marion, IN
• Orion, MI
• Parma, OH
• Pontiac, MI
• Romulus, MI
• Saginaw, MI
• Spring Hill, TN
• Toledo, OH
• Wentzville, MO

GM will provide a one-time lump sum taxable stipend payment to eligible students selected for the 2027 Student Program – to help facilitate administration of relocation benefits, please apply using the permanent address you would move from.

Start dates for this internship role are May 24th and June 14th of 2027.

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.

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, email us 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.