Job Description

The Role

The Controls Automation Machining Staff Engineer is responsible for ensuring safe, repeatable, and cost-effective machining operations through standardized automation solutions. This role provides critical technical leadership in the design, deployment, validation, and troubleshooting of automated machining systems across GM manufacturing operations.

As the subject matter expert for machining automation, this engineer drives consistency across plants, reduces process variation, improves equipment reliability, and supports productivity, quality, and launch readiness. The role also enables long-term cost reduction and scalability by developing, implementing, and sustaining proven standards and best practices.

This position requires deep technical expertise in CNC-based controls, hands-on troubleshooting, GM specifications, and automation systems for machining applications. Responsibilities span specification and documentation development, design review and approval, supplier/OEM support, and on-site support at GM manufacturing locations. The role supports GM Engine, Transmission, Drive Unit, eMotor, PPO, Castings, and Battery product program requirements, including servo applications.

The position requires travel (less than 25%) to GM vendor locations and global manufacturing sites while representing the goals and direction of the Global Controls team and supporting the Global Automation Systems organization through effective issue resolution and technical leadership.

What You'll Do

• Collaborate with automation machining specification owners to establish and maintain standardized controls requirements

• Apply deep knowledge of GM automation controls design for machining processes

• Provide on-site debug support at OEM facilities during equipment build, integration, and buyoff

• Provide on-site validation and launch support at GM manufacturing locations

• Serve as the single point of contact for the process machining team on new technology development for machining applications

• Serve as the single point of contact for machining safety designs and global safety-related automation requirements

• Evaluate and approve automation concepts, supplier designs, control architectures, and technical changes for machining equipment

• Develop and maintain global strategy for legacy machine equipment components

• Support new program launches by ensuring automation readiness, validating asset capability, and driving risk mitigation actions

• Lead effective problem resolution and troubleshooting in support of the Global Automation Systems organization

• Communicate and coordinate machining automation requirements with leadership, engineering teams, and suppliers

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with peers, hourly employees, union leadership, suppliers, and cross-functional support teams

• Represent Manufacturing Engineering machining issues in Controls Engineering meetings and help improve organizational understanding of machining requirements

• Mentor engineers and plant teams on machining automation technologies, standard work, and structured problem-solving

• Support automation solutions across a broad range of manufacturing applications, including gears, machining, prismatics, blocks, heads, and assembly

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field

• 10+ years of experience in controls and automation within a manufacturing environment

• Exceptional knowledge of CNC-based controls and automation systems

• Hands-on troubleshooting experience with machining automation systems in plant and/or OEM environments

• Experience with PLC hardware and software development

• Experience with robotics integration and automation applications

• Proven ability to support specification development, technical documentation, design reviews, validation, and launch execution

• Strong communication and coordination skills with leadership, engineering teams, plant operations, and suppliers

What Can Give You a Competitive Advantage (Preferred Qualifications)

• 10+ years of experience supporting Manufacturing Engineering, including high-level plant support within GPS and/or VS organizations

• Progressive work history with experience across multiple areas of the business

• Broad technical experience working with external suppliers, OEMs, and cross-functional manufacturing teams

• Experience supporting multiple machining and manufacturing applications, including gears, prismatics, blocks, heads, and assembly systems

• Advanced knowledge of servo applications and automated machining system design

• Demonstrated success driving standardization, reducing variation, and improving equipment reliability across multiple plants

• Experience leading technical strategy for legacy equipment, automation upgrades, and scalability initiatives