Senior Manufacturing Controls Engineer
General Motors · Warren, MI
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 50%
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 28 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at General Motors (automotive) in Warren, MI. Develop, review, and approve controls hardware and software designs, including PLCs, HMIs, drives, safety systems, I/O, industrial networks, and plant-floor interfaces.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics
- Day to day
- about 50% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 56 other live controls postings in Michigan.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $79k–$143k, from 17 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 77%
- ✓ Robotics 65%
- ✓ PLC 61%
- ✓ New product launch 32%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 30%
- AutoCAD 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Stamping, Python, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at General Motors
We found 14 people at this company and state: 11 on the team, 3 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Nicholas → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 50% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: General Motors in Warren
16 other open roles at this site · 14 people we found on the controls team.
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Full description from General MotorsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Required Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
- ✓Five or more years of experience in manufacturing controls, automation, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- ✓Experience designing, programming, integrating, and commissioning automated manufacturing equipment.
- ✓Strong experience with PLCs, HMIs, drives, safety controls, industrial networks, and electrical control systems.
- ✓Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, panel layouts, mechanical drawings, and equipment specifications.
- ✓Demonstrated experience executing projects and managing equipment suppliers.
- ✓Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
- ✓Ability to work independently and lead cross-functional teams in technical center, supplier, and plant environments.
- ✓Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional extended assignments and off-shift or weekend support during launches.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
- ✓Experience in automotive manufacturing, including vehicle assembly, body, paint, stamping, general assembly, propulsion, battery, or conveyor systems.
- ✓Knowledge of GM Global Common Controls standards for hardware, software, build, safety, networks, or cybersecurity.
- ✓Experience with emulation and virtual validation tools, such as Emulate3D.
- ✓Experience integrating controls with plant-floor systems, MES, production monitoring, error proofing, Andon, vehicle tracking, or enterprise IT systems.
- ✓Experience with Siemens controls, HMI platforms, EPLAN, machine vision, robotics, or industrial cybersecurity.
- ✓Experience developing automation standards, reusable templates, engineering tools, or technical training.
- ✓Familiarity with scripting or programming languages such as Python, C#, VBA, JavaScript, or XML.
- ✓Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.
The selected candidate will be required to travel on a regular basis (25-50%) for this role.
Relocation benefits are available for candidates who qualify under company policy.
This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis. A company vehicle will only be provided for this role by passing the Motor Vehicle Report review.
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.
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 .
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful di
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Job Description
The Senior Manufacturing Controls Engineer designs, develops, integrates, commissions, launches, and continuously improves automated manufacturing systems supporting GM’s global vehicle and propulsion manufacturing operations.
This role provides technical leadership across new product programs, plant launches, equipment upgrades, and production support activities. The engineer collaborates with manufacturing engineering, plant operations, suppliers, product engineering, IT, robotics, safety, cybersecurity, and Global Automation teams to deliver safe, reliable, standardized, and high-performing controls solutions.
What You’ll Do
- •Lead controls engineering execution for new and existing manufacturing programs from concept through production launch.
- •Develop, review, and approve controls hardware and software designs, including PLCs, HMIs, drives, safety systems, I/O, industrial networks, and plant-floor interfaces.
- •Program, troubleshoot, integrate, and validate automated equipment and production systems.
- •Apply GM Global Common Controls standards for hardware, software, build, safety, networks, and cybersecurity.
- •Perform or oversee emulation, offline testing, supplier buyoffs, equipment runoffs, installation, commissioning, and production validation.
- •Provide technical direction to controls engineers, suppliers, integrators, and plant personnel.
- •Manage project scope, timing, risks, issues, deliverables, and escalations through resolution.
- •Partner with equipment suppliers to establish requirements, review designs, resolve technical issues, and ensure compliance with GM standards.
- •Support plant launches, production ramp-up, equipment modifications, downtime recovery, and complex controls troubleshooting.
- •Conduct root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, uptime, and throughput.
- •Participate in investment studies, preliminary designs, equipment selection, cost estimating, and technical sourcing activities.
- •Develop and maintain standardized controls templates, engineering tools, design aids, and technical documentation.
- •Capture lessons learned and incorporate improvements into standards, processes, and future program designs.
- •Collaborate with global teams on technology development, proof-of-concept activities, and deployment of advanced automation solutions.
- •Promote a culture of safety, inclusion, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.