Automotive Robotics Researcher

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.

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