Industrial Engineer – Autonomous Material Handling & Simulation

Job Description

Work Arrangement

Onsite — based at the GM Global Technical Center (Warren, MI) with regular travel to North American plants for workshops, simulations, trials, commissioning, and readiness reviews. This role includes periodic line‑side and dock‑side work during scoping, validation, and launch phases (including off‑shift or weekend support when required).

The Role

GM is scaling next‑generation autonomous material‑handling technologies across our manufacturing footprint. As an Industrial Engineer / Lean Material Strategies Engineer – AMR/AFT Automation & Simulation, you will design, validate, and deploy automated material‑delivery solutions using Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) and Automated Fork Trucks (AFT).

You will bridge material flow engineering, layout design, simulation, automation requirements, and cross‑functional integration to deliver safe, reliable, and cost‑effective dock‑to‑dock automation. This role is highly collaborative, working across IE/LMS, Controls, IT, ARC, GSC, and plant operations to ensure GM’s automated material‑handling systems are production‑ready, scalable, and aligned with enterprise standards.

What You’ll Do

Material Flow, Layout, and Simulation

• Develop future‑state AMR/AFT material‑flow concepts (dock to DLOC, DLOC to ULOC/POU, empties return) aligned to LMS standards.
• Ensure aisle geometry, storage strategies, and containerization support AMR/AFT operation.
• Lead or coordinate full‑facility simulations (manual + automated traffic) to validate takt capability, congestion risk, and fleet sizing.
• Translate simulation results into fleet quantities, charger counts, route designs, and business‑case inputs.

Automation Requirements & Accessories

• Define and specify AMR/AFT auxiliary equipment (P&D stands, roller racks, risers, turntables, reflectors, etc.).
• Support sourcing and installation of operator‑interface devices and integration hardware (e.g., sensors, traffic lights, conveyor/hoist interfaces).

Cross‑Functional Integration

• Align requirements across IE/LMS, Controls, IT, and suppliers to ensure complete, accurate IO/requirements documentation.
• Ensure AMR/AFT solutions meet GM standards for safety, controls, cybersecurity, WMS/VaaS connectivity, and integration with ASRS and related automation systems.

Project Execution & Readiness

• Support development of SOR/SOW content for AMR/AFT deployments.
• Own or support readiness sheets for IE/LMS deliverables (GMOS updates, racks, kitting, accessories, layout changes) through SOP and stabilization.
• Track and report AMR/AFT fleet readiness, integration status, and KPI performance for assigned sites.

Plant Engagement & Operational Alignment

• Partner with plant IE, LMS, ME, GSC, Safety, Facilities, and Leadership to align on automation scope, constraints, trade‑offs, and performance targets.
• Contribute to training, documentation, and knowledge transfer for plant teams and first responders.

Continuous Improvement & Standards

• Feed lessons learned into LMS standards, templates, and training for future deployments.
• Identify and help close systemic constraints (floor conditions, container strategies, layout gaps, simulation limitations) that limit AMR/AFT scalability or performance.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Experience in automotive manufacturing, LMS, or industrial engineering, preferably in high‑volume assembly or machining environments.
• Hands‑on experience with material‑flow modeling, layout development, and/or simulation (GMOS, plant/route simulations, or equivalent tools).
• Working knowledge of AMR/AFT/AGV systems (routes, charging, P&D strategies, safety envelopes, constraints) or similar automation technologies.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to translate simulation and layout analyses into clear design requirements and business impacts.
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally with Controls, IT, ME, Safety, Facilities, and plant operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field.

What Could Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience working with LMS RASICs, program trackers, or structured execution frameworks.
• Direct involvement in deploying AMR/AFT, ASRS, or other automated material‑handling solutions.
• Familiarity with GM material‑handling tools (GMOS, LMS Scorecards, PFEP, Pin‑Map analysis, LMS Walls).
• Exposure to automation KPI frameworks (uptime, throughput, trip efficiency, fleet readiness).
• Knowledge of controls/IT concepts related to automated delivery (PLC/HMI basics, networked chargers, device interlocks, WMS/VaaS).

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