Lead Engineer - Robotic Simulation

Work Arrangement: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to the office four times per week or other frequency dictated by the;business.

What You'll Do

1. Robotics solution development and deployment

• Identify opportunities for new robotic applications across manufacturing shops.
• Build conceptual engineering solutions for robot-based deployment applications.
• Perform robotic simulation and support on-floor execution for deployment projects.
• Oversee robot configuration and application across processes including welding, material handling, dispensing, and other manufacturing operations.
• Select the most suitable robot model based on process requirements, payload, and cycle time targets.
• Coordinate with process suppliers for special applications such as roller hemming, laser welding, clinching, and other advanced manufacturing processes.

2. In-house engineering capability

• Work with stakeholders to develop in-house engineering solutions for a wide range of robot applications, including collaborative robots.
• Recommend and implement improvements that reduce shop-floor execution time and improve overall project efficiency.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of engineering standards, templates, e-tools, and best practices.
• Drive deployment of standard methods and tools across new projects.

3. Technology development and innovation

• Drive development, testing, and implementation of new technologies in robotic applications.
• Explore and enable immersive technologies such as VR, AR, and MR where they create business value and competitive advantage.
• Promote innovation by evaluating emerging technologies and applying them to manufacturing use cases.

4. Project and resource management

• Review work scope, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements for assigned projects.
• Allocate resources, monitor execution progress, and manage project communications.
• Track scope, issues, risks, and schedules, and drive issues to closure.
• Coordinate project timing and schedules with the body shop team and other key stakeholders.
• Seek customer feedback, evaluate it, and implement changes as appropriate.

5. Simulation, programming, and technical approval

• Review and approve robot simulation models and offline programming developed for project execution.
• Coordinate with robot programming agencies to support successful project delivery.
• Train and align robot programming agencies on GM standards and technical requirements.
• Conduct buy-off and provide final approval of robot programs delivered by external programming agencies.
• Approve robotic cells for shipment after successful pre-installation validation at the jig makers site.

6. Cross-functional integration

• Work closely with controls teams to ensure proper integration and interfacing of robots with control systems.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, supplier, and engineering teams to ensure end-to-end execution readiness.
• Partner with global GM teams and other business units for execution of global projects.
• Represent VE Body in relevant forums, global councils, and technical team meetings.

7. Quality, process excellence, and continuous improvement

• Drive process excellence metrics including first-time quality and on-time delivery through standardized work.
• Perform root cause analysis to resolve technical and process-related issues.
• Capture and share lessons learned with the team, product interface teams, pre-production operations, shopfloor engineers, and VE counterparts across regions.
• Drive continuous process improvement within the team to improve capability, execution speed, and quality.

8. Communication and reporting

• Communicate project status clearly through project meetings, milestone reviews, and status reports.
• Ensure all stakeholders remain informed on project progress, risks, decisions, and changes.
• Report out team accomplishments in the appropriate business and technical forums.

Expected outcomes

• Robust and scalable robotic solutions deployed across shops
• Improved project execution efficiency and reduced shop-floor implementation time.
• High-quality simulation and programming deliverables with minimal downstream issues.
• Strong alignment with GM standards, customer expectations, and global best practices.
• Continued advancement of robotics capability through innovation and standardization.

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Masters or Bachelors degree in Mechanical/Production/Automobile or equivalent Engineering discipline.
• 4 to 12 years of experience in Robotics from Automotive OEMs / Engineering Organizations.
• Strong knowledge of robotic systems, manufacturing automation, and Shop driven processes
• Strong understanding of robotic simulation, offline programming, and virtual validation methods
• Knowledge of robot applications such as welding, material handling, dispensing, roller hemming, laser welding, and clinching
• Knowledge of controls integration, robot interfaces, tooling, and manufacturing equipment validation
• Understanding of project management principles including scope, timing, risk, issue tracking, and resource planning
• Knowledge of GM engineering standards, templates, e-tools, and standardized work practices
• Awareness of emerging technologies in robotics and immersive solutions including VR, AR, and MR
• Ability to develop conceptual solutions and translate them into executable robotic applications
• Strong robotic simulation hands on capability to build solutions with Process Simulate application
• Strong project coordination and execution skills across cross-functional teams
• Effective stakeholder management, communication, and reporting skills
• Ability to review, approve, and guide simulation models, offline programming, and robot cell validation
• Strong root cause analysis and continuous improvement skills
• Ability to align suppliers and programming agencies to required technical and quality standards
• Strong decision-making skills in robot selection, application feasibility, and deployment planning.
• Ability to lead multiple robotic deployment projects across shops and regions.
• Ability to work effectively with internal teams, suppliers, programming agencies, and global partners.
• Ability to manage priorities, resources, schedules, and deliverables in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to identify technical risks early and drive timely resolution
• Ability to drive innovation while maintaining execution discipline and process excellence.
• Ability to train, coach, and influence teams and external partners on standards and best practices.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.