Controls Engineer

General Motors; Saginaw (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors in Saginaw, MI is seeking a Controls Systems Engineer to design, program and optimize PLC-based control systems for high-volume manufacturing. You will work with quality, maintenance and manufacturing teams to address production issues and implement continuous improvements on the plant floor.

The role requires hands-on programming with PLC/HMI, motion control and robotics, plus strong problem-solving and collaboration skills in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Requires 3+ years in electrical/control systems within manufacturing.
• Experience with HMI, industrial automation or controls systems.
• Willingness to work any shift including weekends.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects autonomously.
• Strong work ethic and initiative to improve outputs.
• Experience with PLC and HMI programming, Ethernet/DeviceNet.
• Knowledge of servo motors, motion control and drives.
• Experience with Fanuc robots.
• Ability to read blueprints and learn new systems.

Responsibilities

• Configure, program, test and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems and components.
• Electrical troubleshooting of controls systems and panels.
• Diagnose deficiencies in manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Develop innovative solutions for production.
• Design and deploy intuitive HMI displays.
• Evaluate and propose manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Support manufacturing and quality teams.
• Continuously improve quality, cost, speed, safety.
• Oversee electrical/control aspects of equipment deployment for vehicle manufacturing.
• Mentor others on control issues using a hands-on approach.
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders.

Skills

Electrical/control systems

HMI

Shift work

Teamwork

Project management

Work ethic

Initiative

PLC programming

Ethernet/DeviceNet

Motion control

Fanuc robotics

Mechanical concepts

Reading blueprints

Education

B.S. in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Engineering degree

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley/ Rockwell Automation

Siemens SCADA

Fanuc control

Cognex/Keyence vision

Rockwell FactoryTalk TX Manager

SQL

Ethernet networks

Job description

Job Description

Job Description Sponsorship: GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP (e.g., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.

Onsite: This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Saginaw, MI on a full-time basis. Relocation: This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

The Role

The Controls Systems Engineer is an individual contributor that is creative, highly motivated, agile thinker with a passion for automation. The ideal candidate has a background in electrical or computer engineering with strong programming skills and can perform at a high level in a fast paced, high volume manufacturing facility. This person shall be comfortable supporting manufacturing processes on the production floor. As a Controls Engineer you will be addressing production issues alongside quality, manufacturing, and maintenance teams. Additionally, you will be expected to maintain and improve existing production processes by using continuous improvement and problem solving techniques.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)

• Configure, program, test and troubleshoot PLC based control systems and associated components.
• Electrical troubleshooting and testing of controls systems, control panels, and associated equipment.
• Diagnose and correct deficiencies in manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Develop innovative solutions.
• Design and deploy intuitive user interface displays.
• Propose and evaluate manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Support and actively interact with manufacturing and quality groups.
• Continuously improve quality, cost, responsiveness, safety.
• Design, construction, integration, plant installation, successful launch and continuous improvement of the electrical and control aspects of equipment and tools required for vehicle manufacturing.
• Ability to learn new skills, and coach / mentor others on control related issues, using a hands‑on approach.
• Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with all stakeholders.

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• 3 + years demonstrated technical knowledge of electrical/control systems and ability to apply these concepts within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with HMI, industrial automation or controls systems experience.
• Ability to work any shift and weekends as needed.
• Ability to work with people at all levels of the organization in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and significantly complex projects and assignments with high level of autonomy and accountability for results.
• Strong work ethic (self-starter, responsible, follow through on assignments).
• Demonstrated initiative by reaching beyond work assigned to improve output and/or help others.
• Strong technical knowledge of electrical/control systems and the ability to apply these concepts within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in PLC and HMI programming, Ethernet and/or DeviceNet networks.
• Knowledge of servo motors, motion control and drives.
• Experience with Fanuc robot setup and programming.
• Demonstrated understanding of mechanical concepts involving machine designs, process requirements involved in the manufacturing process.
• Ability to use computer, interpret blueprints, engineering drawings and learn new systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Basic understanding of Ethernet networks.
• Allen Bradley / Rockwell Automation control platform experience.
• Relevant auto industry experience and/or high-volume manufacturing.
• Areas of expertise include: Manufacturing, Assembly Process, Welding, Fabrication.
• Machine vision experience – Cognex, Keyence, Fanuc 3DV, and Photo Neo.
• Robotic experience – Fanuc.
• Additional control platform experience: Siemens SCADA experience – Microsoft SQL / Rockwell FactoryTalk Transaction Manager.
• Knowledge of hydraulics and pneumatics.
• Knowledge of high voltage power distribution.
• Bachelor's degree with major in engineering and equivalent experience/training.

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