Automation Controls Engineer

General Motors; Flint (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is seeking an Automation Controls Engineer to join the 3rd shift, providing hands-on troubleshooting and support for PLC, drive, and networked manufacturing systems in a plant environment in Flint, MI. You will lead escalation during off-shift events and work on conveyance and assembly equipment to improve reliability.

The role includes participation in planned shutdowns, model changes, and long-term reliability improvements, with a focus on safety and proactive problem-solving.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as an automation controls engineer, robotics engineer, manufacturing engineer, or robot programmer.
• Strong knowledge and troubleshooting experience with robotics and automation systems in manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with Fanuc 2D and 3D vision sensors.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on troubleshooting for PLC-, drive-, and network-based systems during 3rd-shift production.
• Serve as primary controls engineering escalation point for Skilled Trades during off-shift events.
• Diagnose and resolve issues on automotive conveyance systems (skid, power-and-free, EMS/VAC).
• Support and troubleshoot general assembly equipment and drive-controlled equipment.
• Troubleshoot Rockwell PowerFlex VFDs and motor starters to maintain throughput and stability.
• Diagnose DeviceNet and EtherNet/IP communication issues affecting production systems.
• Support Siemens HMIs programmed via TIA Portal, including alarms and operator interface issues.
• Stabilize PID-controlled processes (temperature, airflow, pressure, flow) in coordination with operations.
• Perform root-cause analysis and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Make risk-based decisions during live production for interventions and deferrals.
• Support and execute controls projects during shutdowns and model launches.

Skills

Automation controls

Robotics engineering

Troubleshooting

Rockwell PLCs

VFDs & motor starters

PID control

Industrial networks

Siemens HMI

Vision sensors

Off-shift availability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering

Tools

TIA Portal

Rockwell Automation tools

EPLAN

Cognex/vision systems

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.

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.

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 2ndshift Alternative Work Schedule position.
• Must be able to work off shifts when required.

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).