Job Description At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.

Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

The Role Controls Engineer – Robotics Technology Development

The Controls Engineer within the Robotics Technology Development team is responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting controls solutions for advanced robotic and automation systems that enable GM’s future manufacturing capabilities. This role focuses on applying GM controls standards and Global Common Controls Hardware (GCCH) to develop robust, maintainable, and production-ready controls designs for new and evolving technology platforms.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development, integration, and validation of robotic cells and automation systems, ensuring alignment with GM standards, safety requirements, and plant maintainability expectations.

What You’ll Do

• Design, implement, and commission controls solutions for robotic cells and automation projects within RTD, following GM controls standards and GCCH guidelines.
• Develop and maintain PLC, HMI, and related control logic, including standardized function blocks, fault handling, and diagnostics consistent with GM practices and GCCS.
• Integrate industrial robots (e.g., FANUC) with PLCs, safety systems, and field devices to meet functional, safety, and throughput requirements.
• Apply GM safety standards and risk assessment processes to ensure compliance with applicable safety codes and internal requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering design, robotics intelligence, advanced robotics development, and advanced systems development to define control system requirements, I/O, and network architecture for development cells and pilot systems.
• Support system bring-up, debug, and optimization at the Global Technical Center and, when required, at manufacturing sites.
• Create and maintain documentation (electrical schematics in ePLAN or similar tools, I/O lists, sequence of operations, network layouts, standards-compliant code templates) that align with GM controls and GCCH expectations.
• Provide technical support and knowledge transfer to manufacturing engineering and plant personnel as new solutions transition from development to production.
• Contribute feedback to continuous improvement of GM controls standards and GCCH/GCCS usage, based on lessons learned from RTD projects.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years of experience in industrial controls and/or robotics engineering, with direct involvement in commissioning robotic or cobot systems in manufacturing environments.
• Hands‑on experience programming and integrating industrial robots or cobots (e.g., FANUC, Universal Robots, KUKA, ABB) including motion programming, safety zoning, and I/O integration.
• Strong background in PLC/HMI programming and industrial networks, preferably Rockwell / Allen‑Bradley (Control Logix, Guard Logix, Factory Talk) with common fieldbuses such as Ether Net/IP, Profinet, or similar.
• Demonstrated experience implementing safety‑related control systems (e.g., safety PLCs, interlocks, light curtains, safety scanners, E‑stops) and working with safety standards for industrial robots/cobots (e.g., ISO 10218-1 and -2, ISO/TS 15066 or equivalent), including validation and documentation of safety functions.
• Ability to read and create electrical schematics, panel layouts, and network architectures, and to support panel build, power‑up, and debug in lab and plant environments. E-plan experience.
• Proven troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis skills for automation systems (robots, PLCs, vision, sensors, networks) under time‑constrained manufacturing conditions.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across disciplines (mechanical, software, operations, safety) and with suppliers and plant stakeholders.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• 5+ years of controls/robotics experience in automotive manufacturing or high‑volume industrial automation, including exposure to body shop or general assembly automation programs.
• Direct experience deploying cobot applications in proximity to operators, including risk assessment, zoning, speed/force tuning, and optimization of cycle time vs. safety constraints.
• Familiarity with GM automation standards and processes, such as GCCH, GCCS, GRS, PSS, g‑Comply checklists, NAX/SOR workflows, and plant buy‑off practices.
• Experience integrating cobots with 2D/3D vision, force control, and advanced sensing for guidance, inspection, and adaptive processes.
• Working knowledge of CODESYS and soft/virtual PLC experience.
• Exposure to simulation and digital twin tools for robotic cell design and validation (e.g., robot simulation, emulation, offline programming) and to modern robotics stacks (ROS/ROS2, Move It2) is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to standardize solutions, write clear technical documentation, and mentor junior engineers or partners on controls and cobot best practices.

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 GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, [email](mailto:Careers.

Accommodations@GM.com) us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.