Job Description
This is a 2nd shift opportunity
This job may be eligible for relocation benefits
GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP (e.g., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
Onsite: This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Orion, MI on a full-time basis.
The Role
The Senior Controls Engineer- Body Shop is responsible for providing advanced controls engineering leadership and technical oversight within a highly automated automotive body shop environment. This role serves as a key technical expert supporting robotic welding, material handling, joining technologies, and automated production systems. The position requires a high degree of independent judgment and technical authority to achieve safety, quality, cost, throughput, and launch objectives while ensuring the long-term reliability and maintainability of body shop equipment and controls systems.
What You'll Do
- Lead controls engineering strategy and execution for body shop manufacturing systems
- Serve as the technical authority for PLC, robotics, and network architecture standards.
- Manage and execute complex electrical and controls projects including new installations, major upgrades, model change activities, throughput improvements, and lifecycle replacements.
- Develop and approve cost estimates, investment forecasts, business cases, and appropriation requests for capital projects.
- Provide technical mentorship to Controls Engineers, Automation Engineers, and Skilled Trades across multiple shifts.
- Lead root cause analysis and resolution of complex equipment and system failures.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing statistical methods and data-driven decision making.
- Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering, corporate engineering organizations, and suppliers on new model planning, CQPI, sourcing, and equipment validation.
- Establish and manage project support plans between plant operations, corporate engineering, and contractor resources.
- Represent Engineering in plant leadership meetings and cross-functional business planning activities.
- Influence plant-wide goals through Business Plan Deployment and cross-functional alignment.
- Support implementation of Global Manufacturing Systems and Quality Network initiatives to improve operational excellence.
- Oversee development and adherence to engineering standards, documentation, and best practices.
- Develop and monitor project schedules, risk mitigation plans, and execution timelines.
- Provide input into plant capital planning and Central Manufacturing Engineering budgets.
- Ensure long-term reliability, maintainability, and cost efficiency of manufacturing equipment and infrastructure.
- Drive energy efficiency, operational cost reduction, and maximum throughput strategies.
- Partner with Plant Training teams to develop and deploy training for new technologies introduced to the facility.
- Champion safety as the highest priority, enforcing safe work practices and driving improvements in ergonomics, health, safety, and housekeeping.
- Maintain strong working relationships with hourly employees, union leadership, plant management, suppliers, and external support organizations.
Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)
- Advanced ability to program, troubleshoot, and optimize Rockwell/Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLC systems in high-volume automotive manufacturing environments.
- Advanced troubleshooting and programming experience with FANUC robotic systems, including robot path recovery, fault diagnostics, and production optimization.
- Strong understanding of welding systems, weld controllers, weld schedules, and robotic welding applications?
- Expert ability to read, interpret, and modify electrical schematic and controls documentation.
- Advanced troubleshooting experience with automated body shop manufacturing systems, material handling equipment, and conveyor controls.
- Strong knowledge of industrial communication networks including Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet, and integrated robot-to-PLC communication.
- Experience supporting safety-rated control systems, robot safety zones, interlocks, and machine safeguarding requirements.
- Strong analytical and structured problem-solving capabilities utilizing root cause analysis and data-driven methodologies.
- Effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
- Willingness to work 2nd shift
- Willingness to support weekend or extended hours during critical production and project phases.
Preferred Qualifications
- Five or more years of experience in automotive body shop, welding, or assembly manufacturing operations.
- Experience supporting robotic welding cells, framing systems, underbody/body-side lines, or final body assembly processes.
- Experience leading automation strategies, major equipment installations, or large capital projects in a body shop environment.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.
- Experience with manufacturing systems integration including (MES, SCADA, data acquisition)
- Knowledge of dimensional quality systems, automated measurement technologies, and body build quality requirements.
- Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, or supervising engineering and technical teams.
- Experience supporting new vehicle launches, tooling integration, and production ramp-up activities





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.
Benefits Overview
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.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.