Controls Engineer III – Advanced Manufacturing & RoboticsLocation: 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 trainingDuration: 52-Week ContractPosition OverviewJoin 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 DoControls Engineering & Automation SupportTroubleshoot 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 ManufacturingTroubleshoot 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 ImprovementIdentify 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 WithThis position provides exposure to a broad range of advanced manufacturing technologies, including:Siemens PLCsAllen-Bradley / Rockwell ControlsHuman Machine Interfaces (HMI)Fanuc Robots & CobotsOTTO Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)Bastian Automated Fork TrucksCognex AI Vision SystemsDalsa Vision SystemsMatrox Vision SystemsFleet Management SoftwareSmart Factory / Industry 4.0 TechnologiesMinimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering2–4 years of controls engineering or industrial automation experienceExperience troubleshooting PLC-controlled manufacturing equipmentAbility to interpret PLC logic and diagnose automation issuesExperience supporting manufacturing controls in a production environmentPreferred QualificationsExperience with one or more of the following:Siemens PLCsAllen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCsFanuc RoboticsAutonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)Automated Material Handling SystemsIndustrial RoboticsSmart Factory / Industry 4.0 initiativesAutomation commissioning and production launchesVision inspection systems (Cognex, Dalsa, Matrox)Top Technical SkillsPLC Troubleshooting & ControlsSiemens PLCsAllen-Bradley/Rockwell controlsPLC logic troubleshootingHMI supportIndustrial Automation & RoboticsFanuc RobotsCobotsAutomated manufacturing systemsAutomation startup and commissioningAdvanced Manufacturing TechnologiesAutonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)Fleet management systemsAutomated logisticsIndustry 4.0 manufacturing technologiesWhy This Opportunity Stands OutThis 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 EnvironmentMonday–Friday schedule40–50 hours per weekInitially 1st ShiftPotential transition to 2nd or 3rd Shift after approximately one year2–3 weekend shifts per month expectedHybrid Mondays and Fridays after trainingApproximately 80–90% of work performed on the production floor supporting manufacturing operationsInterview ProcessOne-hour virtual interviewEngineering-focused technical discussionCandidates 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)