Job Description

The Role

The Paint Department Automation Engineer is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and improvement of automated paint shop systems. This role provides technical leadership for controls, robotics, process automation, plant-floor systems, and equipment integration across the paint department.

The engineer supports daily production, new product and equipment launches, troubleshooting, system upgrades, and continuous improvement. This position works closely with paint operations, skilled trades, maintenance, quality, safety, information technology, manufacturing engineering, suppliers, and contractors to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and equipment performance.

This is an onsite manufacturing engineering role requiring regular presence in the paint department and on the plant floor. The role requires shift rotation, weekend, shutdown, or extended-hours support during launches, critical equipment work, troubleshooting, and planned maintenance activities. Travel to supplier or other GM locations may be required based on business needs.

What You’ll Do

• Provide engineering support for paint shop automation, including programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, robots, drives, sensors, networks, process monitoring, and equipment interfaces.

• Troubleshoot automation faults, controls issues, communication problems, equipment alarms, and recurring production interruptions.

• Lead or support the design, programming, integration, installation, commissioning, validation, and launch of new or modified paint equipment and systems.

• Develop and maintain automation requirements, control-panel documentation, electrical drawings, software backups, network documentation, equipment standards, and change records.

• Coordinate with suppliers and contractors on controls design, equipment build, factory testing, site installation, commissioning, and final acceptance.

• Support paint process systems such as pretreatment, electrocoat, ovens, booths, sealer, primer, basecoat, clearcoat, material handling, conveyors, and environmental control systems.

• Improve equipment availability, throughput, first-time quality, process stability, energy performance, and material utilization through data-driven problem solving.

• Apply structured problem-solving methods to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.

• Support machine safety, risk-reduction activities, safeguarding, validation, lockout requirements, and compliance with applicable GM safety standards.

• Collaborate with maintenance and skilled trades to improve preventive maintenance, troubleshooting methods, spare-parts strategy, and technical training.

• Support plant-floor systems and manufacturing data interfaces used for production monitoring, routing, tracking, traceability, and reporting.

• Participate in program timing reviews, equipment design reviews, readiness assessments, production trials, and launch activities.

• Create, maintain, and improve standardized work, programming practices, troubleshooting guides, and engineering procedures.

• Provide technical direction to less-experienced engineers, suppliers, contractors, and plant support personnel as needed.

• Communicate project status, technical risks, decisions, and results to plant and engineering leadership.

Your Skills & Abilities

• Experience supporting industrial automation or controls in a manufacturing environment.

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, control-panel drawings, equipment specifications, and engineering documentation.

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex automation and equipment problems using data and structured problem-solving methods.

• Strong communication, organization, project-management, and collaboration skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with autonomy and accountability.

• Commitment to safe work practices and continuous improvement.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, controls, automation, computer, mechanical, manufacturing, or a related engineering discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

• Working knowledge of programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, industrial networks, drives, sensors, safety circuits, and electrical control systems.

• Experience in an automotive manufacturing or paint shop environment.

• Experience with Rockwell Automation or Siemens controls platforms, industrial Ethernet, device networks, motion control, and variable-frequency drives.

• Experience with Fanuc or other industrial robot systems.

• Experience with paint process controls, conveyor controls, material dispensing, environmental systems, or paint quality inspection systems.

• Knowledge of plant-floor production monitoring, routing and tracking, traceability, or manufacturing execution systems.

• Experience with equipment commissioning, factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, or production launch.