Job Description
The Role
The Process Controls Engineer is a key technical leader on the Automation Execution Team, supporting plants with advanced problem solving, common process development, and continuous improvement. This role requires strong creativity, initiative, and independent judgment.
You will provide expert-level support for controls project management, automation system integration, and interfaces with IT plant floor systems. The position is based in Central Manufacturing Engineering with periodic onsite support at GM North America plants (approximately 25% travel).
What You’ll Do
Lead cross-functional collaboration with IT development teams to define, prioritize, and document advanced development activities for plant floor process equipment.
Support Global PFS teams on hardware/software design, construction, integration, and validation activities for new and existing systems.
Coordinate with Staff Engineers and SMEs on resource planning, training, and development initiatives to build controls capability across the organization.
Provide technical direction and oversight to vendors and system integrators during interface design, commissioning, and validation activities.
Own and lead hardware and software updates related to system architecture and controls applications, ensuring alignment with GM standards.
Manage simulation-mode interfaces between applications and PLC code to support validation, troubleshooting, and launch readiness.
Support plants and execution teams with complex root cause identification, issue resolution, and long-term corrective actions.
Develop, maintain, and standardize technical documentation and training materials; actively participate in user group forums and communities of practice.
Create and maintain PLC/HMI revision logs and change documentation to ensure traceability and compliance with change management processes.
Provide concise and data-driven project updates to leadership, including progress reviews, risk/issue escalation, strategic initiatives, and special projects.
Lead the development and implementation of architecture upgrades; track execution status and drive closure of open items.
Coordinate with Quality, ME process experts, and Network teams to ensure robust automation system integration and effective Ethernet network diagnostics.
Proactively share knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices across plants and global teams to drive standardization and reuse.
Required Qualifications – Your Skills & Abilities
Self-motivated, able to multitask, and provide clear technical direction to others, both face-to-face and remotely.
Proven project management skills, including planning, execution, and risk/issue management.
Experience across multiple Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and plant assignments (typically 2–3 years), with a track record of successful individual and team-based achievements.
Strong engineering, critical thinking, and analytical skills to solve unusual and difficult problems.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and align cross-functional partners.
Working knowledge of plant floor systems, including Production Monitoring and Control, Andon Systems, Upload/Download and Compare, Throughput and Material Call.
Prior work experience in tooling systems with knowledge of Common Controls Hardware and Common Controls Software Standards.
Understanding of manufacturing processes and parts design interface for applications, including Rockwell PLCs, Fanuc robot programming, and CNC experience (Siemens Sinumerik).
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
Experience with Manufacturing Engineering plant floor controls systems, including hands-on automation controls design and project execution from concept through implementation.
Preferred Qualifications – What Will Set You Apart
Strong knowledge of GM systems and Platform with respect to GM Controls architecture.
Deep understanding of GM manufacturing processes in shops and related quality systems.
Strong working knowledge of manufacturing-related IT systems such as GSIP, GEPICS, GPM&C, PTPM&C, PAS, FACS, QDAS/GDIS, and MASS.
Working knowledge of GMIT Launch Processes and how they interface with controls and plant floor systems.
Experience with GM Global Common Controls Architecture, Cognex and Matrox vision system programming, and engine manufacturing processes (cranks, heads, blocks, engine assembly).
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This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis. The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role. This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.About GM
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