Advanced Controls Engineer – Robotics Technology Development

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

The Advanced Controls Engineer within the Robotics Technology Development (RTD) group in the Autonomous Robotics Center (ARC) is a senior individual contributor responsible for architecting, delivering, and scaling advanced controls solutions for next‑generation robotic and automation systems across GM manufacturing.

You will combine deep, hands-on controls expertise (PLCs, safety, robotics, networks) with system‑level thinking to design and industrialize fenceless and collaborative automation , high‑performance robotic cells, and standardized controls platforms that can be reused across multiple manufacturing verticals (kitting/sequencing, lift assist, fastening, inspection, material movement). As an advanced controls engineer, you will own significant technical workstreams end‑to‑end , exercise independent judgment on complex topics, and provide technical direction and mentorship to other engineers and partners.

You will work closely with R&D, ARC, and Manufacturing Engineering to advance solutions from lab prototypes through pilot-line readiness (MRL 4–6), ensuring that controls architectures, safety strategies, and standards are robust, maintainable, and ready for handoff to production programs.

What You’ll Do

Advanced Controls Design & Integration

• Lead the design, implementation, and commissioning of controls solutions for robotic cells and automation projects within RTD, following GM controls standards and Global Common Controls Hardware/Software (GCCH/S).
   
• Develop and maintain PLC, safety PLC, HMI, and related control logic , including standardized function blocks, diagnostics, and fault‑handling approaches aligned to GCCS and RTD best practices.
   
• Architect and integrate industrial robots (e.g., FANUC, UR) with PLCs, safety systems, and field devices for applications such as assembly, material handling, fastening, inspection, and lift assist, meeting safety, throughput, and quality targets.
   
• Design and validate fenceless / collaborative controls strategies (safety zones, safe speed/position, speed & separation monitoring, power & force limiting) in alignment with applicable standards and GM practices.

Safety, Standards, and Architecture

• Apply GM safety standards and risk‑assessment processes to define and validate safety functions, interlocks, and safety device integration (light curtains, scanners, E‑Stops, enabling devices, safety relays/PLCs).
   
• Contribute to and help steward controls architecture patterns and standards for RTD (hardware templates, network architectures, software libraries, standardized sequences), ensuring they are practical for deployment across plants and suppliers.
   
• Drive standardization and reuse of controls building blocks (templates, reusable code, test cases, documentation) that can be leveraged across ARC verticals and programs.

Program Execution & Technology Development

• Own controls workstreams for development cells, pilot systems, and advanced technology projects , from concept and requirements through integration, debug, and pilot-line buyoff (MRL 4–6).
   
• Partner with robotics, perception, and software teams to integrate advanced control algorithms, motion planning, vision, and sensing into production‑representative systems, ensuring they are maintainable by plant organizations.
   
• Use simulation, emulation, and virtual commissioning as appropriate (e.g., vPLC, robot simulation, digital twins) to front‑load debug, validate sequences and safety behavior, and reduce onsite commissioning time.
   
• Support system bring‑up, debug, and optimization at the Global Technical Center and, when required, at manufacturing sites; provide expert support during trials, pilots, and early production runs.

Collaboration, Influence, and Mentorship

• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, plant teams, IT/OT, and suppliers to align controls designs with plant standards, cyber requirements, and lifecycle support needs .
   
• Provide technical direction and coaching to controls engineers, robotics engineers, and supplier teams on RTD standards, safety practices, and advanced controls techniques.
   
• Capture and communicate lessons learned, best practices, and design guidance through documentation, design reviews, and internal forums, contributing to ARC/RTD technical roadmaps and standards evolution.

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.)

Ce poste exige le travail en présentiel. Cela signifie que le candidat retenu devra se rendre à un site précis de façon permanente.

Le candidat retenu devra voyager <25 % pour ce poste. 

Ce poste peut donner droit à des indemnités de déménagement.

Renseignements sur la diversité

General Motors est résolue à être un lieu de travail qui est non seulement exempt de discrimination illégale, mais aussi un endroit qui favorise véritablement l'inclusion et l'appartenance. Nous sommes convaincus que la diversité de la main-d'œuvre permet de créer un environnement dans lequel nos employés peuvent s'épanouir et développer de meilleurs produits pour nos clients. Nous encourageons les candidats intéressés à consulter les principales responsabilités et compétences requises pour chaque rôle et à postuler à tout poste qui leur correspond. Dans le cadre du processus de recrutement, les candidats peuvent devoir, le cas échéant, réussir une évaluation liée au poste ou une présélection d'emploi avant d'être embauchés.  Pour en savoir plus, consultez notre processus de recrutement.

Déclaration concernant l'égalité d'accès à l'emploi (É.-U.)

General Motors est fière d'être un employeur souscrivant au principe de l'égalité d'accès à l'emploi.  Tous les candidats qualifiés seront pris en compte, sans égard à la race, à la couleur, à la religion, au sexe, à l'orientation sexuelle, à l'identité de genre, à l'origine ethnique, aux situations de handicap ou au statut protégé d'ancien combattant. 

Aménagements (É.-U. et Canada)

General Motors offre des occasions à tous les chercheurs d'emploi, y compris les personnes handicapées. Si vous avez besoin d'un accommodement raisonnable pour vous aider dans votre recherche d'emploi ou la soumission de votre candidature, envoyez-nous un courriel à l'adresse [email protected] ou appelez-nous au 800 865-7580. Veuillez inclure dans votre courriel une description spécifique du type d'accommodement demandé, ainsi que le titre d'emploi et le numéro de demande du poste auquel vous postulez.