Controls Engineer III – Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics
Location: Tonawanda, NY (Onsite)
Schedule: Monday–Friday | Primarily 1st Shift (may transition to 2nd or 3rd shift after approximately one year)
Hybrid: Monday & Friday hybrid after training
Duration: 52-Week Contract
Position Overview
Join General Motors' Global Propulsion Systems (GPS) team supporting one of the plant's most exciting automation initiatives. This Controls Engineer III role is part of a small, highly specialized engineering team responsible for deploying and supporting next-generation manufacturing technologies, including Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), collaborative robots, advanced vision systems, automated material handling, and Industry 4.0 manufacturing solutions.
Unlike a traditional controls engineering position, this is a highly hands-on role where 80–90% of your time will be spent on the manufacturing floor supporting production, maintenance, equipment launches, and automation improvements—not sitting behind a desk.
If you enjoy solving complex automation problems, working directly with production equipment, and learning emerging manufacturing technologies, this is an outstanding opportunity.
What You'll Do
Controls Engineering & Automation Support
- Troubleshoot high-volume automated manufacturing equipment to minimize production downtime.
- Diagnose controls issues using Siemens PLCs and Allen-Bradley/Rockwell control systems.
- Interpret PLC logic and automation sequences to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Support HMI systems and manufacturing controls throughout the production environment.
- Partner with maintenance teams during equipment breakdowns and automation-related production interruptions.
Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing
- Troubleshoot and support Fanuc robots and collaborative robots (Cobots).
- Support Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) responsible for automated material movement throughout the facility.
- Assist with AMR fleet management systems, including routing, navigation, communications, and material delivery optimization.
- Support commissioning, startup, validation, and production launch activities for new automation technologies.
- Contribute to Industry 4.0 initiatives involving robotics, automated material handling, and smart manufacturing systems.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve automation performance, reliability, and production efficiency.
- Document troubleshooting activities, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts.
- Develop and maintain automation documentation, operating procedures, and process flows.
- Partner with production, maintenance, logistics, and materials teams to improve overall manufacturing performance.
- Assist with procurement, implementation, and integration of new manufacturing equipment.
Technologies You'll Work With
This position provides exposure to a broad range of advanced manufacturing technologies, including:
- Siemens PLCs
- Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Controls
- Human Machine Interfaces (HMI)
- Fanuc Robots & Cobots
- OTTO Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
- Bastian Automated Fork Trucks
- Cognex AI Vision Systems
- Dalsa Vision Systems
- Matrox Vision Systems
- Fleet Management Software
- Smart Factory / Industry 4.0 Technologies
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- 2–4 years of controls engineering or industrial automation experience
- Experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment
- Ability to interpret PLC logic and diagnose automation issues
- Experience supporting manufacturing controls in a production environment
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with one or more of the following:
- Siemens PLCs
- Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs
- Fanuc Robotics
- Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
- Automated Material Handling Systems
- Industrial Robotics
- Smart Factory / Industry 4.0 initiatives
- Automation commissioning and production launches
- Vision inspection systems (Cognex, Dalsa, Matrox)
Top Technical Skills
PLC Troubleshooting & Controls
- Siemens PLCs
- Allen-Bradley/Rockwell controls
- PLC logic troubleshooting
- HMI support
Industrial Automation & Robotics
- Fanuc Robots
- Cobots
- Automated manufacturing systems
- Automation startup and commissioning
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
- Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
- Fleet management systems
- Automated logistics
- Industry 4.0 manufacturing technologies
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
This isn't a maintenance-only controls role or a desk-based engineering position.
You'll become one of the plant's go-to automation experts supporting some of GM's newest manufacturing technologies. The team is building the future of automated material movement inside the plant, and you'll receive training on technologies that many engineers never have the opportunity to work with.
Highlights include:
- Join a highly visible engineering team driving one of GM's newest automation initiatives.
- Receive specialized training on cutting-edge AMR and fleet management technologies.
- Become a plant Subject Matter Expert (SME) for autonomous material movement and robotics.
- Play a direct role in modernizing manufacturing operations through Industry 4.0 technologies.
- Gain experience with advanced robotics, AI vision systems, automated material handling, and smart factory solutions.
Schedule & Work Environment
- Monday–Friday schedule
- 40–50 hours per week
- Initially 1st Shift
- Potential transition to 2nd or 3rd Shift after approximately one year
- 2–3 weekend shifts per month expected
- Hybrid Mondays and Fridays after training
- Approximately 80–90% of work performed on the production floor supporting manufacturing operations
Interview Process
- One-hour virtual interview
- Engineering-focused technical discussion
- Candidates should be prepared to discuss previous engineering accomplishments and projects.
- Professional interview setting required (no interviews conducted while driving or on mobile devices).
EOE (including Disability/Veterans)