Lead of ARC Operations

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.

The Role

The Autonomous Robotics Center (ARC) is a multidisciplinary organization developing the next generation of intelligent, highly automated manufacturing systems for General Motors. The Lead of ARC Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operations, safety, security, facilities, and support services for ARC buildings and labs, with primary focus on two core facilities in the Detroit area (Warren and Pontiac).

This role ensures that ARC buildings, labs, and support infrastructure are safe, compliant, secure, and fit-for-purpose for current and future robotics development and validation work. As an operations leader, the Lead of ARC Operations oversees a multidisciplinary team of safety operations staff, project engineers, and technicians to ensure ARC facilities, labs, and support services are structured, staffed, and enabled to meet the growing demand from Manufacturing Engineering and Research & Development while maintaining high utilization of ARC assets, strong risk management, and high-velocity experimentation.

What You'll Do

Safety & Compliance

• Own implementation of GM safety policies, standards, and procedures across ARC buildings and labs.

• Ensure regulatory compliance (environmental, health, safety, fire, electrical, etc.) in partnership with GM EH&S and corporate functions.

• Lead and maintain safety programs (training, permits, audits, incident reporting, corrective actions) tailored to robotics labs and test environments.

• Coordinate and document Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, and safe work instructions for robotics and automation installations.

• Drive a proactive safety culture within ARC facilities through regular walkthroughs, safety meetings, and visible ownership of issues to closure.

Building & Lab Operations

• Oversee day-to-day building and lab operations for ARC facilities in Warren and Pontiac, including common areas, labs, test cells, and shop spaces.

• Plan, schedule, and coordinate facility upgrades, renovations, and reconfigurations to meet evolving robotics and automation needs.

• Manage building services (utilities, HVAC, compressed air, power distribution, network readiness, waste handling) in collaboration with GM Facilities and IT.

• Maintain clear lab operating procedures (access control, hours of operation, housekeeping standards, material and equipment staging).

• Ensure all labs and test areas are fit-for-purpose for current and future workloads, including power, network, safety systems, and structural capacity.

Security & Access Control

• Partner with GM Security to ensure physical security of ARC buildings, including badging, visitor management, and contractor access.

• Define and administer access policies for labs, test cells, and restricted areas, balancing safety, security, and agility.

• Establish and monitor processes for key/credential management, after-hours access, and incident response.

Asset Tracking, Installation & Maintenance

• Own asset visibility and tracking for major ARC capital equipment (robots, automation cells, tooling, test equipment, infrastructure).

• Implement and maintain asset management systems (tags, inventory, location tracking, maintenance records) to support utilization and lifecycle planning.

• Coordinate installation and commissioning of new robotics cells, test stands, and major equipment in partnership with technical teams, vendors, Facilities, and IT.

• Develop and oversee preventive maintenance plans for critical lab and test assets to minimize downtime and safety risk.

• Ensure appropriate documentation and change control for moves, additions, and changes (MAC) to lab infrastructure and equipment layouts.

Support Services & Vendor Management

• Manage core support services for ARC buildings (shipping/receiving, material handling, storage, waste streams, office moves, lab services).

• Coordinate external vendors and contrac