Controls Engineer - GM Plant (Closure Lines / Retrofit Work)

Cullerton Group; Orion Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel per diem

Travel & lodging covered

Job summary

Cullerton Group is seeking a Controls Engineer for on-site work in Orion, MI and Spring Hill, TN. The contract role focuses on retrofit, launch, and validation in GM plants, with hands-on responsibility on active production lines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualified candidates will troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, and robotics, support validation checklists, and assist with startup and line readiness. Travel and lodging are provided, including a $55/day per diem.

Qualifications

• GM plant experience is required.
• Experience with closure lines or body-in-white systems.
• Hands-on troubleshooting on plant-floor controls.

Responsibilities

• Support retrofit on existing GM production lines.
• Perform validation and audits (SCS, NPS, red/green tag).
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, and robotic systems on the plant floor.
• Verify equipment functionality during installation and ramp-up.
• Assist with startup, commissioning, and line support.

Skills

Onsite troubleshooting

Manufacturing experience

GM plant experience

Team collaboration

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs (RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000)

FactoryTalk HMIs

Siemens TIA Portal

Robotics systems (Fanuc ABB KUKA)

Job description

Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for a Controls Engineer in Orion, MI and Spring Hill, TN. The work will be done onsite. These are long term contract opportunities. Compensation is up to $44/hr. Additionally, all travel and lodging expenses will be paid including a $55/day meal per diem.

Job Summary

We are seeking experienced Controls Engineer to support retrofit, launch, and validation work within General Motors (GM) manufacturing plants. This is a hands-on, plant-floor role focused on supporting closure lines and body-in-white systems. The work involves validating installed equipment, troubleshooting controls issues, and executing GM production and safety checklists during line modifications and ramp-up activities. This is not a design role - candidates must be comfortable working directly on active production lines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support retrofit ("kit") work on existing GM production lines
• Perform validation and checklist execution (SCS, NPS, red tag / green tag audits)
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, and robotic systems on the plant floor
• Verify tooling, equipment, and system functionality during installation and ramp-up
• Work alongside plant teams to support production readiness and issue resolution
• Assist with startup, commissioning, and line support activities

Required Experience (Must Have)

• Prior experience working inside GM manufacturing plants
• Direct experience with closure lines (doors, hoods, liftgates, fenders) or body-in-white systems
• Experience with retrofit, launch, or production support in automotive environments
• Hands-on troubleshooting experience with: Allen-Bradley PLCs (RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000) HMIs (FactoryTalk, Siemens TIA Portal) Strong understanding of plant-floor processes, safety protocols, and validation procedures

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with GM Global Common Controls (GCCS) standards
• GM-related certifications (GCCS, hardware/network training, etc.)
• Experience working on multiple GM plants or automotive programs
• Background with robotics (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA)

Education

Degree not required Relevant hands-on experience in GM environments is the priority

Work Environment

• 100% onsite in active manufacturing plants
• Fast-paced, high-production environment
• Must be comfortable working on the plant floor for extended periods

Travel & Expenses

• Travel required depending on assignment location
• Per diem and travel support available (details to be discussed)