Manufacturing Controls Engineer We are looking for Controls Engineers to join our St. Catharines Propulsion Plant team.

Vacancy Status This posting is for an existing vacancy within the organization and is open to new applications. (Backfill)

AI Disclosure As part of the application process, Artificial Intelligence will be used in the hiring process for this role.

Onsite This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to St. Catharines Propulsion Plant on a full-time basis.

In this role, you will work within the Manufacturing Engineering (ME) organization, supporting any or all production areas of Engine Assembly and Component machining – Block, Head or Crank. You will work in a highly collaborative environment to continuously improve production equipment and processes using advanced automation and controls technologies such as safety PLCs, industrial Ethernet networks, HMIs, robotics, CNCs, and vision systems. You will be responsible for conceiving and managing technical projects of varying scale and complexity, implementing equipment and process changes, and partnering with maintenance to troubleshoot issues. Increasingly, you will also leverage data and analytics to improve safety, quality, uptime, and cost.

Main Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day controls and automation support for production operations with a strong focus on:

Personnel and equipment safety

Process quality

Equipment, uptime and throughput

Provide technical/engineering support to production and maintenance teams by:

Troubleshooting equipment and process failures (controls, electrical, and related mechanical issues)

Identifying root causes and implementing effective,



sustainable countermeasures

Supporting problem‑solving activities using structured methodologies

Support predictive and preventative maintenance strategies

Identify, develop, and execute controls‑related projects that support departmental and plant objectives, including:

Safety and ergonomic improvements

Quality and error‑proofing enhancements

OEE/uptime, throughput, and cost optimization

Energy efficiency and sustainability improvements

Lead and manage machinery/equipment controls throughout the lifecycle to ensure compliance with GM Safety and Controls standards, including:

Support specification, design review, build, installation, commissioning, and PPAP of new equipment

Functional safety validation (e.g., safety circuits, safety PLC logic, risk reduction measures)

Integration with plant‑level networks, data collection, and monitoring systems

Ensure new and existing equipment meets:

GM global and local standards (Safety, Controls, Cybersecurity, Network)

Ontario ESA/MOL/OHSA and other applicable codes and regulations

Operational requirements for current and future product and process needs

Ensure accurate, current documentation is available and maintained for all equipment in assigned areas, including:

Electrical and controls drawings and schematics

Program and configuration backups

Manuals,



bills of material, and network documentation

Collaboration in developing and maintaining Maintenance SOPs and standardized work

Identify and lead technical training and knowledge transfer opportunities:

Mentor other Controls Engineers and Maintenance Teams on current technologies, tools, and standards

Share best practices across areas and shifts

Maintain current knowledge in fields of expertise and emerging technologies:

Stay current on equipment standards, legislative and regulatory changes, GM global requirements, and industry trends (e.g., EV propulsion, functional safety, industrial cybersecurity, data analytics, Industry 4.0/connected factory)

Proactively update management on risks, opportunities, and recommended actions

Who We Are Looking For (Required Qualifications)

Strong controls systems technical aptitude obtained through:

An Electrical, Computer, or Mechatronic Engineering degree, or

Equivalent combination of education and relevant industrial experience

Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills to work effectively with cross‑functional teams (Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Health & Safety, Quality, Suppliers).

Strong work ethic and ownership mindset:

Self‑starter, highly responsible, and able to follow through on assignments

Comfortable working in a fast‑paced production environment with changing priorities

Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, preferably within the automotive or high‑volume industrial sector.

Flexibility and adaptability:

Able to move quickly between assignments and equipment areas as priorities

📌 Manufacturing Controls Engineer (St. Catharines)
🏢 General Motors
📍 St. Catharines