Lead of ARC Operations

GM•Warren, MI

7d•Onsite

About The Position

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 Autonomous Robotics Center (ARC) is a multidisciplinary organization developing the next generation of intelligent, highly automated manufacturing systems for General Motors. The Lead of ARC Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operations, safety, security, facilities, and support services for ARC buildings and labs, with primary focus on two core facilities in the Detroit area (Warren and Pontiac). This role ensures that ARC buildings, labs, and support infrastructure are safe, compliant, secure, and fit-for-purpose for current and future robotics development and validation work. As an operations leader, the Lead of ARC Operations oversees a multidisciplinary team of safety operations staff, project engineers, and technicians to ensure ARC facilities, labs, and support services are structured, staffed, and enabled to meet the growing demand from Manufacturing Engineering and Research & Development while maintaining high utilization of ARC assets, strong risk management, and high-velocity experimentation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, facilities management, operations, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
7+ years of experience in facilities operations, plant/lab operations, EH&S, or technical operations management in a complex industrial, R&D, or manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience implementing safety programs and policies and working with EH&S, Facilities, and Security organizations.
Experience coordinating building projects, upgrades, or lab build-outs, including planning, scheduling, and contractor management.
Proven ability to manage multiple operational workstreams simultaneously in a dynamic, high-velocity technical environment.
Safety-first mindset with strong understanding of industrial and lab safety practices.
Operational excellence: able to design and run reliable, repeatable processes for building and lab operations.
Organizational & planning skills: structured approach to prioritization, scheduling, and coordination across teams and vendors.
Technical literacy: comfortable working around robotics, automation equipment, and industrial infrastructure; able to understand basic technical constraints and risks.
Communication & collaboration: clear written and verbal communication; able to align diverse stakeholders and drive closure on issues.
Problem-solving & bias for action: proactive in identifying risks, gaps, and opportunities; takes ownership to resolve them.
Detail orientation & follow-through: strong focus on documentation, tracking, and closing actions to completion.

Nice To Haves

Experience with robotics, automation, manufacturing systems, or test labs, and the environments required to develop and validate them.
Familiarity with GM or large enterprise safety policies, standards, and compliance frameworks.
Hands-on experience with asset tracking systems, CMMS, or similar tools for equipment and facilities management.
Background in industrial, mechanical, electrical, or controls engineering supporting lab or plant operations.
Prior experience leading operations, facilities, or lab management for multi-building or multi-site organizations.

Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance Own implementation of GM safety policies, standards, and procedures across ARC buildings and labs.
Ensure regulatory compliance (environmental, health, safety, fire, electrical, etc.) in partnership with GM EH&S and corporate functions.
Lead and maintain safety programs (training, permits, audits, incident reporting, corrective actions) tailored to robotics labs and test environments.
Coordinate and document Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, and safe work instructions for robotics and automation installations.
Drive a proactive safety culture within ARC facilities through regular walkthroughs, safety meetings, and visible ownership of issues to closure.
Building & Lab Operations Oversee day-to-day building and lab operations for ARC facilities in Warren and Pontiac, including common areas, labs, test cells, and shop spaces.
Plan, schedule, and coordinate facility upgrades, renovations, and reconfigurations to meet evolving robotics and automation needs.
Manage building services (utilities, HVAC, compressed air, power distribution, network readiness, waste handling) in collaboration with GM Facilities and IT.
Maintain clear lab operating procedures (access control, hours of operation, housekeeping standards, material and equipment staging).
Ensure all labs and test areas are fit-for-purpose for current and future workloads, including power, network, safety systems, and structural capacity.
Security & Access Control Partner with GM Security to ensure physical security of ARC buildings, including badging, visitor management, and contractor access.
Define and administer access policies for labs, test cells, and restricted areas, balancing safety, security, and agility.
Establish and monitor processes for key/credential management, after-hours access, and incident response.
Asset Tracking, Installation & Maintenance Own asset visibility and tracking for major ARC capital equipment (robots, automation cells, tooling, test equipment, infrastructure).
Implement and maintain asset management systems (tags, inventory, location tracking, maintenance records) to support utilization and lifecycle planning.
Coordinate installation and commissioning of new robotics cells, test stands, and major equipment in partnership with technical teams, vendors, Facilities, and IT.
Develop and oversee preventive maintenance plans for critical lab and test assets to minimize downtime and safety risk.
Ensure appropriate documentation and change control for moves, additions, and changes (MAC) to lab infrastructure and equipment layouts.
Support Services & Vendor Management Manage core support services for ARC buildings (shipping/receiving, material handling, storage, waste streams, office moves, lab services).
Coordinate external vendors and contractors performing work in ARC facilities, ensuring adherence to GM safety, security, and quality expectations.
Define and continuously improve standard work for recurring operational processes (e.g., equipment requests, space moves, new lab setups).
Partner with procurement and finance on service contracts, maintenance agreements, and operational budgets related to facilities and building operations.
Planning, Upgrades & Capacity Management Develop and maintain a multi-year facilities and infrastructure roadmap aligned with ARC and enterprise robotics strategy.
Assess and communicate space, power, and infrastructure capacity against incoming project and program demands.
Plan lab layouts, equipment clusters, and test areas to support efficient workflows and safe operation.
Identify and prioritize infrastructure upgrades (power, networks, safety systems, utilities) needed to support new robotics platforms, test methods, and volumes.
Cross-Functional Alignment & Communication Act as a central coordination point between ARC operations, technical teams, Manufacturing Engineering, R&D, Facilities, EH&S, Security, IT, and other corporate partners.
Translate technical and program needs into clear facilities, safety, and operational requirements.
Provide regular updates and reporting on building readiness, safety metrics, asset status, and key operational risks.
Support emergency response planning and drills in coordination with site and corporate teams.