Justin Zielinski
Minneapolis,MI
Summary
Manufacturing technology and automation executive leading enterprise-scale engineering transformation across 20+ manufacturing sites and 652 production lines spanning the U.S. and Mexico. Currently leading a 77-person organization, including Engineers, Managers, Senior Managers, and Directors. With 50 external contractors/integrators, with responsibility for a $22M project portfolio, $15M annual capital budget and $3M OPEX. Proven record delivering $11M+ in savings, driving 37% productivity improvement and enabling the reduction of 100+ positions through automation in 2026. Deep expertise in enterprise automation strategy, advanced manufacturing, robotics, digital manufacturing and scalable technology deployment, with leadership experience spanning Medtronic and General Motors.
Overview
1
1
Certification
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Manufacturing Technology & Automation Executive
Medtronic
Mounds View, Minnesota
10.2025 - Current
- Led enterprise automation strategy across 20+ manufacturing sites and 652 production lines, establishing long-term technology roadmaps, investment priorities, and scalable deployment standards aligned to growth, capacity, quality, and supply chain resiliency.
- Delivered $11M+ in annual savings through automation, process optimization, quality improvements, labor productivity gains, and manufacturing cost reduction initiatives.
- Improved manufacturing productivity by 37%, driving significant throughput increases while enhancing operational performance, standardized work, and equipment utilization.
- Enabled the reduction of 100+ positions through automation in 2026 by strategically deploying robotics and advanced manufacturing technologies while maintaining production continuity and business performance.
- Established and chaired the Global Automation Review process, creating executive governance for technology investment, site prioritization, standardization, and replication of best practices across the manufacturing network.
- Built and scaled a 77-person automation organization, including 52 direct reports and 25 contractors/integrators, while strengthening leadership capability, succession planning, and technical expertise across the enterprise.
- Directed a $22M automation portfolio and $15M annual capital budget, ensuring disciplined capital allocation, ROI achievement, risk mitigation, and strategic alignment to enterprise objectives.
- Developed and deployed Medtronic's first collaborative robot palletizing platform, creating a repeatable architecture for enterprise-wide expansion and future automation scalability.
- Championed enterprise adoption of robotics, cobots, AMRs, mobile manipulators, machine vision, modular manufacturing systems, and digital manufacturing technologies, accelerating modernization across the production network.
- Partnered with senior executives across Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and IT to translate technology investments into measurable business outcomes, improved customer service levels, and enhanced operational performance.
- Delivered first-of-their-kind automation deployments, including cobot palletizers, AMRs, mobile manipulators, and modular production cells, establishing new standards for manufacturing flexibility and workforce efficiency.
- Drove enterprise engineering transformation across the U.S. and Mexico, improving speed-to-market, manufacturing agility, operational resilience, and technology standardization across multiple business units.
Senior Engineering Group Manager - Automation
General Motors Co
03.2024 - 10.2025
- Led General Motors' Autonomous Robotics Center (ARC), supporting a $2.7B manufacturing transformation portfolio and contributing to workforce optimization initiatives that enabled the reduction of approximately 3,000 positions through automation, material flow improvements, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
- Directed enterprise automation strategy and execution across North American manufacturing sites, leading the development, validation, and deployment of scalable robotics, autonomous systems, and material handling solutions.
- Established and led an advanced robotics innovation lab, accelerating technology adoption through research, proof-of-concepts, pilot programs, and risk-reduction testing prior to enterprise-wide deployment.
- Developed future-state automation roadmaps by optimizing material flow, manufacturing processes, and operational layouts, improving productivity, quality, safety, and manufacturing efficiency.
- Partnered with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Logistics, Safety, IT, Purchasing, and R&D leaders to identify strategic opportunities and execute high-impact automation initiatives across the manufacturing network.
- Led technology scouting and evaluation efforts, identifying and deploying emerging robotics, automation, and digital manufacturing solutions that improved operational performance while reducing cost and waste.
- Directed feasibility studies, business cases, and investment analyses, enabling executive decision-making for large-scale automation and capital deployment programs.
- Collaborated with suppliers, integrators, and plant leadership teams to transition automation concepts from design through safe production implementation, ensuring operational readiness and sustainability.
- Drove continuous improvement across deployed systems, monitoring performance metrics and implementing enhancements that delivered measurable gains in productivity, reliability, and material efficiency.
- Built organizational capability through training and change management, equipping manufacturing teams with the skills needed to successfully adopt and sustain advanced automation technologies.
Engineering Group Manager - Automation
General Motors Co
05.2023 - 02.2024
- Led the Press Center Automation and Integration Engineering organization, overseeing AFTs, AGVs, FOL/EOL automation, simulation, and automated material handling systems across stamping operations.
- Owned automated material movement strategy and execution, deploying robot‑based systems to move, lift, store, and retrieve materials, reducing manual handling and improving safety and throughput.
- Drove dimensional performance metrics that contributed to successful global vehicle program launches.
- Developed and executed stamping facility improvement plans aligned with global greenfield standards for process, people, and material flow.
- Managed vehicle program capital funding forecasts and spend, ensuring alignment with business priorities and delivery milestones.
- Developed and managed stamping Bills of Equipment (BoE) and coordinated MPS responses to support launch readiness.
- Partnered cross‑functionally with Body Shop, Manufacturing, Safety, Logistics, and Engineering teams to deliver integrated stamping‑to‑body solutions.
- Led material flow analysis and process change implementation, optimizing performance across GMNA stamping operations.
- Recruited, coached, and mentored engineering talent, managing performance, compensation, and workforce planning.
- Established clear performance objectives, conducted regular reviews, and supported professional development and succession planning.
- Streamlined processes and implemented innovative management approaches to enhance engineering execution efficiency.
- Delivered automation and facility projects on time and within budget, while maximizing team performance through daily engagement and leadership.
Lead Product Interface Engineer (Automation)
General Motors
02.2022 - 06.2023
- Led a team of 12 product and manufacturing engineers, driving execution across product design, manufacturing readiness, and dimensional quality.
- Partnered with product engineering to embed manufacturing requirements (MRs) and best practices (BPs) in product design releases, enhancing manufacturability.
- Designed manufacturing programs based on dimensional metrics and tolerancing, ensuring robust build quality and launch readiness.
- Owned and reported dimensional and program metrics, interfacing with Product Design, Studio, Manufacturing, and Leadership to meet performance targets.
- Ensured product designs supported CDLS, Hole‑to‑Hole, and Body Shop (ABC) dimensional strategies, enabling stable assembly and quality outcomes.
- Championed global inter-buildability strategies to ensure product consistency across plants and regions, facilitating seamless production.
- Developed and executed Plan‑For‑Every‑Part (PFEP) to support efficient material flow and program execution.
- Managed Manufacturing Concept Sheets, Study Requests, and Engineering Change Management (ECM) impacting Body‑In‑White (BIW).
- Tracked product engineering cost drivers and maintained drive-cost and tooling material order logs to support budget adherence and resource allocation.
- Planned, submitted, and tracked material orders supporting tooling integration, buy‑off, and Manufacturing Validation Events.
- Supported purchased‑part sourcing and supplier integration during program development.
- Supported the Issue Resolution Team (IRT), driving integrated product and process issue resolution during plant builds.
- Partnered with the Vehicle Dimensional Quality Manager (VDQM) and dimensional teams to drive nominal body quality and critical interface execution.
- Developed Statements of Requirements (SOR) Appendix B1, participated in technical reviews, and resolved sub‑assembly strategy issues.
Lead Dimensional Engineer/ CMM Group Leader
General Motors
07.2021 - 02.2022
- Led body dimensional control operations, monitoring A, B, C, and E31 metrics to ensure adherence to build-to-nominal performance and quality targets.
- Managed and developed a team of up to 9 employees, including dimensional technicians and toolmakers, ensuring strong execution, capability growth, and daily coverage.
- Directed design and improvement of manufacturing processes and tooling, implementing adjustments that enhanced dimensional stability and build quality.
- Led dimensional problem‑solving efforts using Red X and advanced root‑cause methodologies to resolve quality, process, and vehicle‑status issues.
- Coordinated dimensional data analysis from CMM and Perceptron Vision Systems, driving corrective actions and nominal body performance.
- Evaluated body shop processes and equipment, identifying and implementing continuous improvement opportunities to reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance efficiency.
- Prepared, calibrated, and monitored production machinery to sustain optimal throughput, repeatability, and daily production targets.
- Partnered with internal and external stakeholders—Stamping, Paint, General Assembly, and suppliers—to resolve cross‑functional and supplier‑related dimensional issues.
- Revitalized operational structures and procedures, resulting in improved retention, reduced waste, increased output, and strengthened safety and quality culture.
Dimensional Automation Engineer
General Motors
11.2018 - 06.2021
- Resolved complex dimensional issues impacting vehicle assembly, fit, and finish, providing data‑driven root cause analysis and corrective actions across Body‑In‑White and General Assembly.
- Assisted Vehicle Dimensional Quality Manager (VDQM) in resolving GCA priority dimensional issues, enhancing overall vehicle quality.
- Drove parts to nominal condition through iterative design, manufacturing, and supplier improvements across the launch lifecycle.
- Developed and implemented a virtual checking system using virtual matching, accelerating issue identification and reducing physical rework.
- Led continuous improvement initiatives to enhance part quality and dimensional stability throughout program launches.
- Conducted advanced dimensional data analysis to identify failure modes and eliminate recurring quality problems.
- Served as primary technical point of contact for automation equipment performance, troubleshooting issues and implementing corrective actions.
- Maintained, debugged, and optimized automation programs, improving reliability and system performance.
- Enhanced inspection and quality processes, achieving sustained improvements in build quality and customer satisfaction.
Application Engineer
General Motors
01.2015 - 11.2018
- Performed advanced dimensional data analysis, integrating CMM reports and 3D scanning data to identify root causes and implement part and process improvements.
- Certified stamping and body tooling (01SL MCM) at Detroit‑Hamtramck, validating datums, pins, and fixtures to enhance part quality.
- Managed dimensional variation analysis (DVA) tools and processes, including FARO and Roamer arms, ensuring accurate data collection and application.
- Developed and implemented PPAP requirements and dimensional standards, supporting consistent supplier and build quality.
- Conducted full‑body gap and flush (C‑metric) verification, leveraging laser gauge tracking technologies to improve fit and finish quality.
- Partnered closely with VDQM and DPE teams, executing shim moves and tooling adjustments to improve dimensional performance.
- Supported issue resolution during major vehicle program launches, including Cadillac CT6, Chevrolet Volt, Cadillac ELR, and Buick LaCrosse, ensuring dimensional quality and assembly readiness.
- Developed strong cross‑functional relationships with engineering, operations, and leadership, fostering collaboration and expediting launch outcomes.
Quality Assurance Engineer
Means Industries
10.2013 - 01.2015
- Collaborated with General Motors Tier‑2 Supplier Issue Resolution Team to provide rapid, daily solutions for quality, integration, and production issues.
- Drove corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) at the leadership level, clearing roadblocks, securing resources, and ensuring issue closure and recurrence prevention.
- Analyzed production, integration, and vulnerability data, presenting findings and improvement recommendations to stakeholders.
- Conducted advanced PPAP studies, verifying process capability and part repeatability.
- Performed CMM and scan‑data analysis, correlating dimensional variation to production and quality issues and driving corrective actions within the plant.
- Conducted daily quality testing and inspection, including end‑of‑coil tests and pre‑shipment part verification to ensure product compliance.
Education
Master of Science - Lean Manufacturing Engineering
Kettering University
Flint, MI12-2023
Bachelors of Science - Project Management
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ04-2021
Associate of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Delta College
Saginaw, Michigan02-2012
Skills
- Automation strategy
- Global automation deployment
- Digital manufacturing
- Advanced automation systems
- Automation program management
- Manufacturing Systems Integration
- Lean Manufacturing & Process Optimization
- Technology Evaluation and Emerging Technology Adoption
- Quality and safety engineering
- Regulatory Compliance Leadership
- Operational excellence
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Systems Architecture & Controls Standardization
- Vendor management
- Strategic Investment Analysis
- Stakeholder alignment
- Executive communication
- Team leadership
- Organizational transformation
- Medical device automation
- Automation Best Practices
- Flexible manufacturing design
- Automation Best Practices
Accomplishments
Successful vehicle launches of:
- Chevrolet Volt
- Cadillac ELR
- Buick Lacrosse
- Cadillac CT6
- Cadillac CT6 MCM
- 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2021 GMC Yukon
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade
- 2022 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2022 GMC Sierra Denali
- 2023 Cadillac Lyriq
- 2026/27 (Classified Program)
Certification
• Red X Problem Solving (Journeymen)
• DFSS Black Belt
• National Honor Society of Leadership and Success
• DFSS Black Belt
• National Honor Society of Leadership and Success
Personal Information
Title: Executive Director - Operations Innovation
Timeline
Manufacturing Technology & Automation Executive
Medtronic
10.2025 - Current
Senior Engineering Group Manager - Automation
General Motors Co
03.2024 - 10.2025
Engineering Group Manager - Automation
General Motors Co
05.2023 - 02.2024
Lead Product Interface Engineer (Automation)
General Motors
02.2022 - 06.2023
Lead Dimensional Engineer/ CMM Group Leader
General Motors
07.2021 - 02.2022
Dimensional Automation Engineer
General Motors
11.2018 - 06.2021
Application Engineer
General Motors
01.2015 - 11.2018
Quality Assurance Engineer
Means Industries
10.2013 - 01.2015
Master of Science - Lean Manufacturing Engineering
Kettering University
Bachelors of Science - Project Management
University of Phoenix
Associate of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Delta College