Paint Automation Engineer: Robotics & Controls Leader

Socket.dev; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors in Virginia seeks a Paint Department Automation Engineer to lead and support automation across paint shops onsite. You will work with controls, robotics, and plant-floor systems while partnering with operations, maintenance, quality, safety and IT to improve safety, quality, delivery and cost.

The role requires regular plant-floor presence, shift commitments, and possible travel to supplier or GM locations for launches and maintenance activities.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting industrial automation in manufacturing.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and control drawings.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex automation problems using data.
• Strong communication, organization, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with accountability.

Responsibilities

• Provide automation support for paint shop automation including PLCs, HMIs, robots, drives, sensors and networks.
• Troubleshoot faults, alarms, and production interruptions to improve uptime.
• Lead or support design, installation, commissioning and launch of paint equipment.
• Develop and maintain control documentation, drawings, and software backups.
• Coordinate with suppliers/contractors for design, testing, installation, and acceptance.
• Support paint process systems and data interfaces for monitoring and reporting.
• Improve availability, throughput, quality, and energy performance via data-driven methods.
• Apply structured problem solving to identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Ensure machine safety compliance and participate in risk-reduction activities.
• Collaborate on preventive maintenance and training, and assist plant support.
• Communicate project status and risks to leadership.

Skills

Automation experience

Read electrical schematics

Troubleshooting complex automation

Project management

Communication & collaboration

Autonomy & accountability

Safety & continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/controls/automation/engineering

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Siemens controls

Fanuc robotics

Industrial Ethernet & networks

Motion control & VFDs

Job description

General Motors in Virginia seeks a Paint Department Automation Engineer to lead and support automation across paint shops onsite. You will work with controls, robotics, and plant-floor systems while partnering with operations, maintenance, quality, safety and IT to improve safety, quality, delivery and cost.

The role requires regular plant-floor presence, shift commitments, and possible travel to supplier or GM locations for launches and maintenance activities.