Automation Machining Staff Engineer

General Motors•Warren, MI

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Controls Automation Machining Staff Engineer is responsible for ensuring safe, repeatable, and cost-effective machining operations through standardized automation solutions. This role provides critical technical leadership in the design, deployment, validation, and troubleshooting of automated machining systems across GM manufacturing operations. As the subject matter expert for machining automation, this engineer drives consistency across plants, reduces process variation, improves equipment reliability, and supports productivity, quality, and launch readiness. The role also enables long-term cost reduction and scalability by developing, implementing, and sustaining proven standards and best practices. This position requires deep technical expertise in CNC-based controls, hands-on troubleshooting, GM specifications, and automation systems for machining applications. Responsibilities span specification and documentation development, design review and approval, supplier/OEM support, and on-site support at GM manufacturing locations. The role supports GM Engine, Transmission, Drive Unit, eMotor, PPO, Castings, and Battery product program requirements, including servo applications. The position requires travel (less than 25%) to GM vendor locations and global manufacturing sites while representing the goals and direction of the Global Controls team and supporting the Global Automation Systems organization through effective issue resolution and technical leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
10+ years of experience in controls and automation within a manufacturing environment
Exceptional knowledge of CNC-based controls and automation systems
Hands-on troubleshooting experience with machining automation systems in plant and/or OEM environments
Experience with PLC hardware and software development
Experience with robotics integration and automation applications
Proven ability to support specification development, technical documentation, design reviews, validation, and launch execution
Strong communication and coordination skills with leadership, engineering teams, plant operations, and suppliers

Nice To Haves

10+ years of experience supporting Manufacturing Engineering, including high-level plant support within GPS and/or VS organizations
Progressive work history with experience across multiple areas of the business
Broad technical experience working with external suppliers, OEMs, and cross-functional manufacturing teams
Experience supporting multiple machining and manufacturing applications, including gears, prismatics, blocks, heads, and assembly systems
Advanced knowledge of servo applications and automated machining system design
Demonstrated success driving standardization, reducing variation, and improving equipment reliability across multiple plants
Experience leading technical strategy for legacy equipment, automation upgrades, and scalability initiatives

Responsibilities

Collaborate with automation machining specification owners to establish and maintain standardized controls requirements
Apply deep knowledge of GM automation controls design for machining processes
Provide on-site debug support at OEM facilities during equipment build, integration, and buyoff
Provide on-site validation and launch support at GM manufacturing locations
Serve as the single point of contact for the process machining team on new technology development for machining applications
Serve as the single point of contact for machining safety designs and global safety-related automation requirements
Evaluate and approve automation concepts, supplier designs, control architectures, and technical changes for machining equipment
Develop and maintain global strategy for legacy machine equipment components
Support new program launches by ensuring automation readiness, validating asset capability, and driving risk mitigation actions
Lead effective problem resolution and troubleshooting in support of the Global Automation Systems organization
Communicate and coordinate machining automation requirements with leadership, engineering teams, and suppliers
Build and maintain strong working relationships with peers, hourly employees, union leadership, suppliers, and cross-functional support teams
Represent Manufacturing Engineering machining issues in Controls Engineering meetings and help improve organizational understanding of machining requirements
Mentor engineers and plant teams on machining automation technologies, standard work, and structured problem-solving
Support automation solutions across a broad range of manufacturing applications, including gears, machining, prismatics, blocks, heads, and assembly