Controls Engineer

About the role

This role focuses on designing and implementing cost-effective control systems for custom automated machinery, including hardware design, PLC/HMI programming, safety analysis, and technical documentation. The Controls Engineer collaborates closely with project teams and shop personnel to support electrical assembly, system debug, on-site installation, and customer training. The position also contributes to continuous improvement by adopting new technologies, supporting engineering standards, and sharing lessons learned across projects. This is a Permanent position based out of Saint Paul, MN, with approximately 10–20% travel to customer sites for system installation, commissioning, and training.

Responsibilities

• Develop cost-effective control systems for custom machinery, including hardware design, PLC/HMI programming, safety analysis, and preparation of technical documentation.
• Identify technical challenges early in the project and develop creative, practical solutions by leveraging available knowledge, tools, and resources.
• Coordinate closely with shop personnel during the electrical assembly of control systems and machines to ensure accurate and efficient build-out.
• Participate in control system debug activities, including troubleshooting and refining hardware and software to achieve reliable, high-performance operation.
• Support on-site installation of control systems at customer facilities and ensure successful commissioning of automated equipment.
• Provide customer training on system operation, safety, and maintenance to help users operate equipment confidently and effectively.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to deliver projects on time and within budget while maintaining high quality standards.
• Motivate yourself and others in a positive, professional manner to foster a productive and collaborative project environment.
• Collaborate effectively with project managers, engineers, and assembly personnel as part of a cross-functional project team.
• Communicate project status clearly, including risks and potential obstacles, to ensure stakeholders remain informed and aligned.
• Stay current with automation technology, engineering methods, and industry standards to continually enhance system performance and reliability.
• Actively participate in process improvement by adhering to engineering standards, engaging in procedural audits, and contributing to project design reviews.
• Support the implementation of new engineering methods and technologies into ongoing and future projects.
• Contribute to the professional development of yourself and colleagues by constructively sharing lessons learned from project successes and failures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and a minimum of two years of relevant experience, or a related two-year post–high school diploma/certificate and a minimum of five years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Skills

• Extensive experience with Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming on a variety of platforms.
• Hands-on experience with Rockwell Automation families of programmable controllers, including Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Proficiency in PLC/HMI programming for Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Familiarity with multiple IEC 61131-3 programming languages, including Ladder Logic, Function Block Diagram, Structured Text, Sequential Function