Senior Automation Controls Engineer – Hybrid Manufacturing

General Motors Africa & Middle East; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors Africa & Middle East is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Controls Engineer to lead controls projects across new programs and plant launches. You will design, program, test, and validate automated equipment, applying GM standards and coordinating with engineering, IT, suppliers, and operations.

You will drive safety, quality, uptime, and throughput through root-cause analysis, standardization, and best-practice templates while traveling domestically and internationally as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in manufacturing controls, automation, or related discipline.
• Experience designing, programming, integrating, and commissioning automated manufacturing equipment.
• Strong experience with PLCs, HMIs, drives, safety controls, networks, and electrical systems.
• Ability to read schematics, layouts, drawings, and equipment specs.
• Experience leading projects and managing suppliers.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally for launches.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls engineering execution from concept to production launch.
• Develop and approve hardware/software designs (PLC, HMI, drives, safety).
• Program, troubleshoot, integrate, and validate automated equipment.
• Apply GM Global Common Controls standards across systems.
• Oversee emulation, testing, supplier buyoffs, and plant installations.
• Provide technical direction to engineers, suppliers, and plant personnel.
• Manage scope, timing, risks, deliverables, and escalations.
• Collaborate with suppliers to define requirements and ensure GM standards.
• Support launches, ramp-up, downtime recovery, and complex troubleshooting.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Participate in investment studies, design reviews, and sourcing.
• Develop standardized controls templates and documentation.
• Capture lessons learned to improve standards and processes.
• Collaborate with global teams on advanced automation initiatives.

Skills

Controls engineering

Leadership

Project management

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel domestically & internationally

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Siemens controls

HMI platforms

EPLAN

Machine vision

Robotics

Industrial cybersecurity

Job description

General Motors Africa & Middle East is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Controls Engineer to lead controls projects across new programs and plant launches. You will design, program, test, and validate automated equipment, applying GM standards and coordinating with engineering, IT, suppliers, and operations.

You will drive safety, quality, uptime, and throughput through root-cause analysis, standardization, and best-practice templates while traveling domestically and internationally as needed.