Technical Operations Specialist - Battery Cell Development Center

Technical Operations Specialist

The Technical Operations Specialist (TOS) provides hands-on technical support for advanced battery cell manufacturing equipment at GM's Battery Cell Development Center (BCDC). This role maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs mechanical, electrical, robotic, and automated systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations. TOS team members work independently under general direction, support continuous improvement, and serve as technical experts for production and engineering partners in a fast-paced development environment.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow and enforce all GM safety standards, lockout/tagout, and regulatory requirements.
• Support EHS procedures, audits, and incident investigations.
• Maintain emergency response readiness and compliance with OSHA, hazardous materials, and PSM-related policies.
• Identify, communicate, and resolve safety risks related to machinery and systems.

Equipment Operation, Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Perform mechanical and electrical work on equipment such as:
• Mixing, coating, and calendering systems
• Automated assembly equipment and robotics
• Welding systems
• Formation, conveyors, AGVs/AMRs, and electrical test stands
• Vision systems, PLC based systems, and local utilities
• Execute preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance tasks per schedule.
• Diagnose root cause of failures and restore equipment to safe, stable operation.
• Operate industrial mobile equipment as required.
• Maintain accurate documentation of maintenance activities and system changes.

Technical Expertise & Support

• Serve as the hands-on technical specialist to optimize equipment performance.
• Provide mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and controls support to production teams.
• Train operators and peers on basic equipment operation and maintenance practices.
• Support commissioning, start-up, debugging, and integration of new systems or upgrades.

Project & Process Support

• Plan and execute maintenance projects, equipment upgrades, and system installations.
• Partner with engineering on process improvements, equipment acceptance, and capability studies.
• Contribute to reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) activities and documentation.
• Support GMS, Business Plan Deployment, and continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., waste elimination, uptime improvement).

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with operations, engineering and industrialization, quality, and facilities teams to resolve issues.
• Communicate status updates, risks, and repair timelines clearly and proactively.
• Support supplier activities including FAT/SAT, commissioning, and field troubleshooting.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Technical degree or completed Four-Year Apprenticeship OR one of:
• Electrical Journeyman's License
• Mechanical Journeyman's License
• 3+ years as a maintenance or electrical technician
• Ability to wear required PPE (safety glasses, gloves, hard hat, clean-room suits, respirators, etc.).
• Knowledge of high-volume or advanced manufacturing processes.
• Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude; ability to interpret blueprints/schematics.
• Working knowledge of:
• PLCs and controls
• Robotics
• Mechanical drives, power transmission, pneumatics, hydraulics
• Instrumentation and basic electronics
• Ability to work any shift (24/7 coverage model) and support weekends/holidays as needed.
• Proficiency with maintenance documentation tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for cross-functional teamwork.
• Ability to travel domestically/internationally to suppliers when required.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience in lithium-ion cell manufacturing (slurry/mixing, coating, calendering, stacking/assembly, formation, EOL testing).
• Experience in development, pilot, or startup environments.
• Experience with EV/high-voltage safety and lithium-ion manufacturing hazards.
• Hands-on troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and fluid systems.
• Experience with:
• Siemens PLCs and HMIs
• PLC program editing/diagnostics
• Fanuc robot programming and maintenance
• Strong understanding of sequencing, error-proofing, and diagnostic capabilities.
• Familiarity with automation, robotics, AMRs, and advanced controls systems.
• Experience using maintenance software systems.