Automotive Robotics Researcher

Description

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.
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.

Role Summary

The Senior Robotics Researcher will drive advanced robotics research and development to support GM's future manufacturing and product strategies. This role combines deep technical expertise, hands-on experimentation, and close collaboration with cross-functional partners to create innovative, scalable robotic solutions for complex industrial applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate innovative concepts, propose and lead R&D projects, and evaluate emerging technologies to address critical business and technical needs.
• Lead research and experiments to collect data, validate concepts, and advance state-of-the-art solutions in your domain.
• Produce high-quality research reports, external publications, and records of invention that clearly document new ideas and research results.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry and academic developments to continually grow core technical skills and competencies.
• Build and manage strong partnerships with divisional teams and stakeholders to align on objectives and deliverables.
• Ensure proper laboratory safety practices, including use and maintenance of personal protective equipment, and clear communication of laboratory hazards.
• Execute complex technical and special assignments with minimal guidance.
• Support lab leadership in identifying megatrends in technology and business strategies across the automotive sector and related industries.
• Contribute to GM's strategic response to emerging threats and opportunities in robotics and automation.
• Represent GM as a technical leader in external technical and business communities (e.g., conferences, standards bodies, industry consortia).
• Lead technical discussions, design reviews, and peer reviews as an expert in your field, clearly communicating results and progress across the organization.
• Continuously grow and diversify your skills and technical competencies.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of state-of-the-art research in specialized robotics domains and consistently exhibit innovative thinking and strong cross-functional partnership.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree required in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• PhD preferred in a related discipline with a focus on robotics, controls, or intelligent systems.
• 3-5 years of experience as an individual researcher in robotics or closely related areas.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of clear technical documentation and presentations.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Robot kinematics and dynamics: forward/inverse kinematics, advanced kinematic modeling, and novel robot configuration development.
• Robot motion and trajectory planning: time-optimal, collision-free, and constraint-aware path planning.
• Robot control methods: position, velocity, force/torque, impedance, and vision-based control.
• Closed-loop and automatic control: stability, overshoot, path accuracy, and control tuning for industrial systems.
• Multi-robot systems: coordination, collaboration, and synchronization of multiple robots.
• Industrial articulated robots: programming, commissioning, and optimization for processing, assembly, and material handling.
• Industrial mobile robots: navigation, coordination, and integration into manufacturing environments.
• Industrial hardware and system integration: hardware design, system configuration, and integration of robots, sensors, and controllers.
• Fanuc robot programming: advanced applications using KAREL and related toolsets.
• ROS-based control architectures: development of robot control stacks and integration with industrial systems.
• Digital twins and offline programming: expert-level modeling, simulation, and offline programming of robotic systems.
• Physical behavior of robotic systems: understanding thermal growth, vibration, stability, path accuracy, and dynamic effects.
• End-to-end AI for robot control: data-driven and learning-based control strategies for industrial applications.
• Modular and hybrid control schemes: combining classical control with AI while ensuring reliability, explainability, and safety.
• Industrial application development: robotic solutions for processing, assembly, and material handling.

Manipulation & End-Effector Expertise

• Gripper and end-effector design: vacuum, mechanical, soft-robotic, and hybrid grippers.
• Handling challenging materials and parts, including:
  • Flexible materials (e.g., cardboard, wiring harnesses)
  • Deformable parts (e.g., seals, trims)
  • Large rigid structures (e.g., closures, castings)
• Grasp planning under uncertainty: robust strategies for variable pose, compliance, and contact conditions.
• In-process manipulation: integrated manipulation with processes such as welding and other value-add operations.

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.

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.

Total Rewards | Benefits Overview

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We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. 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.

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