General Motors

Lead Automation Controls Engineer

General Motors$90K — $120K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering, Robotics, or equivalent technical experience.
  • 5+ years in controls engineering, automation engineering, or manufacturing systems integration.
  • Strong knowledge of industrial control systems in manufacturing environments.
  • Experience with PLC and HMI programming and troubleshooting controls systems.
  • Expertise in integrating robotics and advanced manufacturing systems.
  • Working knowledge of machine vision applications and automated inspection technology.
  • Ability to lead technical workstreams and manage multiple assignments autonomously.

Responsibilities

  • Lead controls and automation for new equipment and upgrades.
  • Develop and approve controls hardware and software design plans.
  • Provide technical leadership for automation system performance.
  • Diagnose and resolve complex issues in controls and robotics.
  • Drive safety, quality, throughput, and operational performance improvements.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project objectives.
  • Evaluate and implement emerging automation technologies.

Benefits

  • Potential for relocation benefits when applicable.
Full Job Description

Job Description

The Role
The Technical Lead, Controls and Automation is a senior individual contributor responsible for leading the design, integration, launch, and continuous improvement of advanced manufacturing systems. This role provides technical leadership across controls, robotics, collaborative robotics (cobots), automation technology, and machine vision applications.
This person will serve as a hands-on technical lead who can solve complex manufacturing problems, guide project execution, and support the successful deployment of new equipment and process improvements in a fast-paced plant and manufacturing engineering environment. The ideal candidate combines strong controls fundamentals with practical experience in automation integration, vision technology, and robotics.

Core Responsibilities
  • Lead the controls and automation scope for new equipment, major upgrades, and continuous improvement projects, with responsibility across controls, robotics, cobots, and machine vision applications.
  • Develop, review, and approve controls hardware concepts, software design approaches, integration plans, and equipment commissioning activities.
  • Provide technical leadership for automation system architecture, equipment functionality, and overall system performance.
  • Diagnose and resolve complex issues related to controls, robotics, machine vision, safety systems, and equipment reliability.
  • Support plant operations by driving improvements in safety, quality, throughput, cost, and operational performance.
  • Partner with manufacturing engineering, plant engineering, operations, maintenance, suppliers, integrators, IT, and launch teams to deliver project timing and business objectives.
  • Support the application and integration of collaborative robotics and vision-enabled automation solutions in production environments.
  • Evaluate and help implement emerging automation technologies with a focus on scalability, maintainability, and low-risk launch execution.
  • Provide technical direction, coaching, and day-to-day support to less experienced engineers, integrators, and technical resources.
  • Help standardize methods, improve technical discipline, and strengthen execution practices across controls, robotics, and vision systems.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on technical experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in controls engineering, automation engineering, robotics engineering, or manufacturing systems integration.
  • Strong knowledge of industrial control systems and the ability to apply that knowledge in a manufacturing or production environment.
  • Experience with PLC and HMI programming, industrial networking, and controls system troubleshooting.
  • Demonstrated experience integrating or supporting robotics, automated equipment, or advanced manufacturing systems.
  • Working knowledge of machine vision, error-proofing, automated inspection, or sensor-based manufacturing applications.
  • Experience leading technical workstreams or serving as a senior technical resource on complex automation projects.
  • Ability to manage multiple technical assignments with a high level of autonomy, urgency, and accountability.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with collaborative robots (cobots), robotic integration, or flexible automation solutions in manufacturing.
  • Experience with automation system architecture, controls standards, or common controls solutions.
  • Experience supporting equipment buyoff, installation, launch, commissioning, and production startup.
  • Experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, industrial Ethernet, and related plant-floor communication interfaces.
  • Experience with machine vision, vision-guided robotics, automated inspection, or error-proofing systems.
  • Experience influencing technical decisions, mentoring others, and driving improvements beyond an immediate assignment area.
  • Familiarity with manufacturing safety systems and safe automation design practices.
  • Experience working directly with suppliers, system integrators, and cross-functional plant teams.
GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc). This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Learn more about General Motors
Size
157,000 employees
Market Cap
$46.9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ

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