Senior Manufacturing Controls Engineer: Lead Auto Plant Automation

General Motors; Warren (MI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors in Warren, MI, is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Controls Engineer to design, develop, and deploy automated manufacturing systems across GM's production operations. You will lead controls initiatives from concept through production launch and provide technical direction to cross‑functional teams.

The role requires strong experience with PLCs, HMIs, drives, safety systems, and industrial networks, plus ability to travel 25–50% and collaborate with suppliers, IT, and plant personnel

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Computer Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing controls or automation.
• Experience designing, programming, integrating, and commissioning automated manufacturing equipment.
• Strong experience with PLCs, HMIs, drives, safety controls, industrial networks and electrical control systems.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, panel layouts, mechanical drawings, and equipment specs.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and managing suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls engineering execution for new and existing manufacturing programs from concept through production launch.
• Develop, review, and approve hardware and software designs including PLCs, HMIs, drives, safety systems, and networks.
• Program, troubleshoot, integrate, and validate automated equipment and production systems.
• Apply GM Global Common Controls standards for hardware, software, build, safety, networks, and cybersecurity.
• Provide technical direction to controls engineers, suppliers, integrators, and plant personnel.
• Manage project scope, timing, risks, issues, deliverables, and escalations through resolution.
• Collaborate with equipment suppliers to establish requirements, review designs, and ensure GM standards.
• Support plant launches, ramp-up, downtime recovery, and complex controls troubleshooting.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, uptime, and throughput.
• Develop and maintain standardized controls templates, tools, and documentation.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Decision making

Reading electrical schematics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Computer Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

PLCs & HMIs

Drives & safety systems

Industrial networks

Electrical control systems

Siemens controls

Job description

General Motors in Warren, MI, is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Controls Engineer to design, develop, and deploy automated manufacturing systems across GM's production operations. You will lead controls initiatives from concept through production launch and provide technical direction to cross‑functional teams.

The role requires strong experience with PLCs, HMIs, drives, safety systems, and industrial networks, plus ability to travel 25–50% and collaborate with suppliers, IT, and plant personnel