General Motors

Controls Engineer (Automation)

General Motors • $80K — $95K *
Warren, MI 48089In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 2-3+ years in manufacturing engineering or plant automation roles
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in a production context
  • Effective cross-functional communication and collaboration skills
  • Familiarity with plant floor systems and industrial controls
  • Experience with automated manufacturing equipment and controls software
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field
  • Hands-on experience with controls applications on production equipment

Responsibilities

  • Design and commission automation solutions for manufacturing processes
  • Troubleshoot production equipment and implement corrective actions
  • Configure and maintain PLCs, HMIs, and industrial control systems
  • Collaborate with engineering, operations, and quality teams on controls deliverables
  • Maintain and enhance production monitoring and data collection systems
  • Document changes in electrical and controls designs for future reference
  • Support improvements in safety, quality, and productivity through controls changes

Benefits

  • Relocation assistance may be available
  • Regular travel requirements of 25-50% for the role
  • Onsite work expected for full-time employees
Full Job Description

Job Description

The Role

We are seeking a Controls Engineer with a focus on industrial automation to support design, implementation, and support of automated manufacturing systems. In this role, you will work closely with engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to ensure equipment is safe, reliable, and capable of meeting production and quality targets.

This position is a good fit for controls engineers who have strong automation experience in manufacturing environments, even if they have not worked with our company or our specific standards before.

What You'll Do

  • Support the design, development, and commissioning of automation and controls solutions for new and existing manufacturing processes.

  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues on production equipment, performing root-cause analysis and implementing robust corrective actions.

  • Configure, program, and maintain PLCs, HMIs, robots, drives, and related industrial control hardware and software.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional partners in engineering, operations, maintenance, and quality to align on controls deliverables and resolve issues.

  • Maintain and improve plant floor systems such as production monitoring, and on alerting, data collection, and material call.

  • Update and maintain documentation for electrical/controls designs, programs, and system changes to support long-term maintainability.

  • Support safety, quality, and productivity improvements through controls changes, data analysis, and process optimization.

  • Coordinate with external suppliers and integrators to ensure controls solutions meet functional, safety, and integration requirements.

  • Participate in project planning activities, including defining scope, estimating effort, and tracking progress for controls-related work.

Required Qualifications – Your Skills & Abilities

  • Experience in manufacturing engineering and/or plant-based automation roles (typically 2–3+ years) with demonstrated success delivering technical results in controls or automation.

  • Strong engineering, critical thinking, and analytical skills with the ability to solve complex technical problems in a production environment.

  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate and align with cross-functional partners at all levels.

  • Working knowledge of plant floor systems such as production monitoring and control, and on or alert systems, upload/download and compare tools, throughput monitoring, and material call or dispatch systems.

  • Experience with tooling or automated manufacturing equipment and familiarity with commonly used industrial controls hardware and software platforms.

  • Understanding of manufacturing processes and parts design, including applications using PLCs, industrial robot programming, and/or CNC equipment.

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience in industrial automation or controls.

  • Hands-on experience with plant floor controls applications, including automation controls design, debug, and implementation on production equipment.

  • Self-motivated, able to manage multiple priorities, and comfortable working both independently and within a team environment.

  • Basic project coordination skills, including planning tasks, tracking progress, and identifying risks/issues with escalation as needed.

Preferred Qualifications – What Will Set You Apart

  • Strong knowledge of manufacturing control systems and platforms related to controls architecture (for example, PLC/HMI/SCADA/DCS).

  • Understanding of high-volume manufacturing processes in production shops and associated quality systems.

  • Working knowledge of manufacturing-related information systems and plant-floor data collection tools (for example, MES, production monitoring).

  • Experience with new product or process launches and how they integrate with manufacturing plants and plant floor systems.

#LI-MH1

This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis. The selected candidate will be required to travel on a regular basis (25-50%) for this role. This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

About General Motors

General Motors Company engages in the manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. It offers sedans, crossovers, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, coupes, sports/convertibles and hybrid vehicles, hatchbacks/wagons, and vans, as well as mini cars in India. The company also provides parts and accessories, such as iPod and MP3 compatibility, mobility accessories, performance parts, AC parts and services, and merchandise. In addition, it offers vehicle safety, security, and information services. The company provides used vehicles. It offers its products through dealers and distributors. General Motors Company was formerly known as NGMCO, Inc. and changed its name to General Motors Company in July 2009. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. It operates manufacturing facilities in India, the United States, and Canada. General Motors Company operates as a subsidiary of the United States Department of The Treasury. General Motors led global vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years from 1931 through 2007, longer than any other automaker, and is currently among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales. General Motors acts in most countries outside the USA via wholly-owned subsidiaries but operates in China through 10 joint ventures. GM's OnStar subsidiary provides vehicle safety, security, and information services. In 2009, General Motors shed several brands, closing Saturn, Pontiac, and Hummer, and emerged from a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization. In 2010, GM made an initial public offering IPOs to date and returned to profitability later that year.

General Motors Careers

Join the dynamic team at General Motors, a global leader in automotive innovation and technology. At General Motors, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career forward while contributing to a legacy of engineering excellence.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career with General Motors to drive the future of mobility. Our team is dedicated to redefining the automotive landscape through innovation and leadership in electric vehicles and sustainable solutions. By joining us, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, teamwork, and continuous professional growth.

Transform Your Career

General Motors is not just a company; it's a community where you can grow your skills alongside the best in the industry. Our leadership is committed to providing every employee—from interns to senior professionals—with opportunities for career advancement, leadership development, and diversity training.

Innovate and Lead

At General Motors, innovation is at the core of everything we do. From research and development to manufacturing, our teams work collaboratively to lead the industry with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. We encourage our employees to think big and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Join Our Global Team

As part of our global workforce, you will collaborate with talented individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of transportation. General Motors offers a variety of career paths in engineering, design, IT, marketing, and more. With over 155,000 employees worldwide, our network provides expansive opportunities for networking and professional development.

Internship Programs and Employment Benefits

Start your career journey with a General Motors internship, where you can apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects. Our internships provide a robust foundation in the automotive industry, with mentorship from experienced leaders. Full-time employees enjoy a wealth of benefits, including comprehensive health care, retirement plans, and performance bonuses, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded.

Explore Job Opportunities

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, General Motors offers positions that leverage your unique skills. Our hiring process is designed to identify and nurture talent, focusing on aligning your capabilities with the right opportunities for growth within the company.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. At General Motors, we look for innovative, driven, and solution-oriented team players. Explore the possibilities that await you in a career at General Motors.

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Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities available at General Motors. Embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and leadership at General Motors. Shape your future in an environment that fosters diversity, learning, and the pursuit of excellence. Join us and redefine the roads of tomorrow.
Learn more about General Motors
Size
157,000 employees
Market Cap
$46.9 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ
GM
* Ladders Estimates

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