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Automotive Robotics Researcher

  • Localização
    • Warren, Michigan
  • Tipo de trabalho Full time
  • Postou
  • Job Requisition JR-202607232

Descrição

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.

Role Summary

The Senior Robotics Researcher will drive advanced robotics research and development to support GM’s future manufacturing and product strategies. This role combines deep technical expertise, hands-on experimentation, and close collaboration with cross-functional partners to create innovative, scalable robotic solutions for complex industrial applications.

Key Responsibilities

  • Generate innovative concepts, propose and lead R&D projects, and evaluate emerging technologies to address critical business and technical needs.
  • Lead research and experiments to collect data, validate concepts, and advance state-of-the-art solutions in your domain.
  • Produce high-quality research reports, external publications, and records of invention that clearly document new ideas and research results.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry and academic developments to continually grow core technical skills and competencies.
  • Build and manage strong partnerships with divisional teams and stakeholders to align on objectives and deliverables.
  • Ensure proper laboratory safety practices, including use and maintenance of personal protective equipment, and clear communication of laboratory hazards.
  • Execute complex technical and special assignments with minimal guidance.
  • Support lab leadership in identifying megatrends in technology and business strategies across the automotive sector and related industries.
  • Contribute to GM’s strategic response to emerging threats and opportunities in robotics and automation.
  • Represent GM as a technical leader in external technical and business communities (e.g., conferences, standards bodies, industry consortia).
  • Lead technical discussions, design reviews, and peer reviews as an expert in your field, clearly communicating results and progress across the organization.
  • Continuously grow and diversify your skills and technical competencies.
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of state-of-the-art research in specialized robotics domains and consistently exhibit innovative thinking and strong cross-functional partnership.

Required Qualifications

  • Master’s degree required in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • PhD preferred in a related discipline with a focus on robotics, controls, or intelligent systems.
  • 3–5 years of experience as an individual researcher in robotics or closely related areas.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of clear technical documentation and presentations.

Technical Skills & Experience

  • Robot kinematics and dynamics: forward/inverse kinematics, advanced kinematic modeling, and novel robot configuration development.
  • Robot motion and trajectory planning: time-optimal, collision-free, and constraint-aware path planning.
  • Robot control methods: position, velocity, force/torque, impedance, and vision-based control.
  • Closed-loop and automatic control: stability, overshoot, path accuracy, and control tuning for industrial systems.
  • Multi-robot systems: coordination, collaboration, and synchronization of multiple robots.
  • Industrial articulated robots: programming, commissioning, and optimization for processing, assembly, and material handling.
  • Industrial mobile robots: navigation, coordination, and integration into manufacturing environments.
  • Industrial hardware and system integration: hardware design, system configuration, and integration of robots, sensors, and controllers.
  • Fanuc robot programming: advanced applications using KAREL and related toolsets.
  • ROS-based control architectures: development of robot control stacks and integration with industrial systems.
  • Digital twins and offline programming: expert-level modeling, simulation, and offline programming of robotic systems.
  • Physical behavior of robotic systems: understanding thermal growth, vibration, stability, path accuracy, and dynamic effects.
  • End-to-end AI for robot control: data-driven and learning-based control strategies for industrial applications.
  • Modular and hybrid control schemes: combining classical control with AI while ensuring reliability, explainability, and safety.
  • Industrial application development: robotic solutions for processing, assembly, and material handling.

Manipulation & End-Effector Expertise

  • Gripper and end-effector design: vacuum, mechanical, soft-robotic, and hybrid grippers.
  • Handling challenging materials and parts, including:
    • Flexible materials (e.g., cardboard, wiring harnesses)
    • Deformable parts (e.g., seals, trims)
    • Large rigid structures (e.g., closures, castings)
  • Grasp planning under uncertainty: robust strategies for variable pose, compliance, and contact conditions.
  • In-process manipulation: integrated manipulation with processes such as welding and other value-add operations.

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.)

Esta função é classificada como híbrida. Isso significa que o candidato selecionado deverá trabalhar no escritório/fábrica da GM pelo menos 3 vezes por semana {ou outra frequência ditada por seu gerente}.

Esta posição pode ser elegível para benefícios de relocação.

Informações sobre diversidade

A General Motors está comprometida em ser um local de trabalho que não só é livre de discriminação ilegal, como estimula verdadeiramente a inclusão e integração. Acreditamos enfaticamente que a diversidade na força de trabalho cria um ambiente no qual nossos colaboradores podem crescer e desenvolver melhores produtos para nossos clientes. Incentivamos os candidatos interessados a analisar as principais responsabilidades e qualificações de cada função e a se candidatar a qualquer cargo que corresponda a suas habilidades e capacidades. Os candidatos no processo de recrutamento podem, quando aplicável, ser solicitados a concluir com sucesso uma ou mais avaliações relacionadas à função e/ou uma seleção pré-emprego antes de iniciar o emprego.  Para saber mais, acesse Como contratamos.

Declaração de Igualdade de Oportunidades de Emprego (EUA)

A General Motors tem orgulho de ser um empregador que oferece oportunidades iguais.  Todos os candidatos qualificados serão considerados para o emprego, independentemente de raça, cor, religião, sexo, orientação sexual, identidade de gênero, origem nacional, deficiência ou status como veterano protegido. 

Adaptações (EUA e Canadá)

A General Motors oferece oportunidades a todos os candidatos a emprego, incluindo pessoas com deficiências. Se você precisa de uma adaptação razoável para ajudá-lo na sua pesquisa de cargos ou solicitação de emprego, fale conosco pelo e-mail [email protected] ou pelo telefone 800-865-7580. No seu e-mail, inclua uma descrição da adaptação específica que você está solicitando assim como o nome do cargo e o número de requisição do cargo ao qual está se candidatando.