Senior Controls Engineer in Bedford

Senior Controls Engineer in Bedford

Bedford Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
General Motors

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development and improvement of manufacturing controls for innovative automotive projects.
  • Company: Join General Motors, a leader in redefining mobility and creating impactful vehicle experiences.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with a commitment to inclusion and career advancement.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of automotive technology and make a real difference in transportation safety and efficiency.
  • Qualifications: 4+ years in manufacturing engineering with strong problem-solving and communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

Job Description

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility.

Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt.

We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility.

Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt.

We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.

Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

The Role

As a Senior Process Controls Engineer, you will lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of manufacturing controls across new and existing programs.

This role supports both centralized manufacturing engineering and plant operations, requiring a high degree of technical expertise, creative problem‑solving, and independent judgment.

You will serve as a subject‑matter expert in controls and automation technologies while mentoring junior engineers and driving successful program launches.

  • What You’ll Do
  • Lead new program execution, including SOR preparation, forecasting, controls and robotics design, equipment build/run‑off, and buyoff.
  • Oversee the design, construction, integration, and plant installation of controls systems to support successful launches and long‑term performance.
  • Stay current with emerging technologies in PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, robotics, and vision systems to drive innovation and plant readiness.
  • Manage program deliverables to meet timing milestones and provide clear project report‑outs to senior leadership.
  • Provide technical support for existing programs, including troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, and optimization of controls systems.
  • Offer technical direction and mentorship to less‑experienced controls engineers to upskill the team and support project execution.
  • Design, review, and troubleshoot electrical control systems for manufacturing equipment.
  • Contribute to the development and testing of advanced process technologies that improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
  • Lead project management activities for controls deliverables, ensuring alignment across engineering, operations, and cross‑functional partners.
  • Required Qualifications – Your Skills & Abilities
  • Experience across multiple Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and plant assignments (4+ years), with a track record of successful individual and team-based achievements.
  • Strong engineering, critical thinking, and analytical skills to solve unusual and difficult problems.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and align cross‑functional partners.
  • Working knowledge of plant floor systems, including Production Monitoring and Control, Andon Systems, Upload/Download and Compare, Throughput and Material Call.
  • Prior work experience in tooling systems with knowledge of Common Controls Hardware and Common Controls Software Standards.
  • Understanding of manufacturing processes and parts design interface for applications, including Rockwell PLCs, Fanuc robot programming, and CNC experience (Siemens Sinumerik).
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Experience with Manufacturing Engineering plant floor controls systems, including hands‑on automation controls design and project execution from concept through implementation.
  • Self‑motivated, able to multitask, and provide clear technical direction to others, both face‑to‑face and remotely.
  • Proven project management skills, including planning, execution, and risk/issue management.
  • Preferred Qualifications – What Will Set You Apart
  • Strong understanding of high‑volume manufacturing processes in production shops and associated quality management systems.
  • Extensive experience with manufacturing execution, production monitoring, and plant‑floor information systems, including data collection, analytics, and reporting tools.
  • Proven experience leading new product / process launch activities, ensuring controls strategies are integrated with plant systems and aligned to launch deliverables.
  • Hands‑on experience with enterprise or common industrial controls architectures and/or vision system programming.

This role is categorized as onsite.

This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full‑time basis.

The selected candidate will be required to travel on a regular basis (25-50%) for this role.

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture.

Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

From day one, we’re looking out for your well‑being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions.

Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting

Total Rewards resources .

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U. S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging.

We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non‑discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role‑related assessment(s) and/or a pre‑employment screening prior to beginning employment.

To learn more, visit

How we Hire .

Accommodations

General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580.

In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

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Senior Controls Engineer in Bedford employer: General Motors

General Motors is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the defense sector. With a commitment to employee growth through continuous learning opportunities and a focus on meaningful contributions towards our mission of Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion, GM provides a unique environment where your expertise in survivability strategy can truly make an impact.

General Motors

Contact Details:

General Motors Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Controls Engineer in Bedford

Get Involved in Control Systems Communities

Dive into control systems forums and relevant LinkedIn groups to showcase your expertise. Engage in discussions, answer questions, and share your knowledge—this can help us get noticed by potential employers looking for someone just like you!

Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops

Join conferences or workshops specifically tailored to control systems engineering, like the IEEE conference. These events are goldmines for networking with industry leaders and might just lead us to that perfect role at General Motors.

Get Practical Experience Through Projects

Start or contribute to projects that highlight your control systems skills. Whether it’s a simulated environment or real-world application, having tangible results will give us a huge edge when chatting with General Motors.

Choose Job Boards Wisely

Focus on niche job boards that specialise in engineering roles. Channels like Engineers.co or similar can help ensure that we’re not only applying to random jobs but targeting positions that align perfectly with our control systems engineering skills!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Controls Engineer in Bedford

Controls and Automation Technologies
Manufacturing Engineering
Project Management
Technical Support
Root-Cause Analysis
Electrical Control Systems Design
Robotics Programming (Fanuc)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Senior Controls Engineer role, make sure to showcase your technical expertise in control systems. Be specific about the software and programming languages you’ve worked with—mention anything from MATLAB to PLC programming. This will help us see your proficiency in the tools that are essential for the job.

Quantify Your Achievements:In the engineering world, numbers speak volumes! Use your CV to quantify your achievements—whether it’s a percentage improvement in system efficiency or successful project completions under budget. This will not only make your application stand out but also showcase your problem-solving capabilities to us.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t hesitate to get personal in your cover letter! Talk about why you’re passionate about control systems engineering and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role at General Motors. We want to see your genuine interest and motivation to contribute to our projects.

Professional Documentation:For a full-time role, ensure that your application documents are professional and well-structured. Include a clear CV format and cover letter that highlights key projects or systems you've worked on. Don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or training that would make you a valuable addition to us at General Motors.

How to prepare for a job interview at General Motors

Brush Up on Control Systems Concepts

Make sure we're up to speed with control systems theory—think stability analysis, PID tuning, and state-space representation. Revising these fundamentals will help us answer technical questions more confidently and demonstrate our expertise during the interview.

Familiarise Yourself with Simulation Tools

Get hands-on with popular simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink or LabVIEW. A lot of interviews might include technical assessments or practical tasks to gauge our understanding of system modelling and control design using these tools, so being proficient could really set us apart.

Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios

We should expect scenario-based questions where we'll have to solve real-world control system challenges. Practising how to approach problems logically and articulately will help us show our analytical thinking to the interviewer at General Motors.

Show Your Passion for Engineering

As this role is full-time, it's crucial we convey our genuine enthusiasm for control systems engineering. Sharing personal projects or experiences where we tackled interesting engineering tasks can illustrate our commitment and eagerness to contribute to the team at General Motors.