Principal Control & Automation Engineer

About the role

The Principal Controls & Automation Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for driving automation strategy and execution across the Dexter and Grand Rapids, Michigan manufacturing sites. This role focuses on PLC-based controls engineering, industrial automation systems, robotics integration, and equipment validation within a regulated manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation initiatives from concept through design, FAT/SAT, validation, and production deployment.
• Architect, program, and maintain PLC-based automation systems using industry-standard controls platforms.
• Develop and standardize controls architectures for automated manufacturing equipment.
• Integrate industrial robots with PLC control systems, including communication protocols, safety interlocks, and motion coordination.
• Troubleshoot and optimize automation equipment to improve uptime, throughput, reliability, and product quality.
• Support equipment commissioning, system debugging, and start-up activities for new and modified automation systems.
• Execute equipment validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) and ensure automation systems meet regulatory and quality requirements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, quality, and operations teams to deploy scalable automation solutions.
• Provide technical oversight and hold vendors accountable for controls design, programming quality, and project execution.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual manufacturing processes and improve production efficiency.

Requirements

• MUST HAVE:
  • 7+ years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or 5+ years of experience with an advanced degree.
• NICE TO HAVE:
  • Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience (ladder logic, structured text, or similar controls languages).
  • Hands-on controls engineering experience in automated manufacturing environments.
  • Experience integrating robotics and automated equipment within production lines.
  • Background in equipment commissioning, controls debugging, and production support.
  • Experience supporting validation and regulated manufacturing environments.
  • Vendor coordination or technical leadership experience in automation projects.
  • Automation development, equipment design, or deployment experience in medical device or comparable industries (automotive, aerospace, defense, etc.).

Qualifications

• MUST HAVE:
  • 7+ years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or 5+ years of experience with an advanced degree.
• NICE TO HAVE:
  • Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience (ladder logic, structured text, or similar controls languages).
  • Hands-on controls engineering experience in automated manufacturing environments.
  • Experience integrating robotics and automated equipment within production lines.
  • Background in equipment commissioning, controls debugging, and production support.
  • Experience supporting validation and regulated manufacturing environments.
  • Vendor coordination or technical leadership experience in automation projects.
  • Automation development, equipment design, or deployment experience in medical device or comparable industries (automotive, aerospace, defense, etc.).

Skills

• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience (ladder logic, structured text, or similar controls languages).
• Hands-on controls engineering experience in automated manufacturing environments.
• Experience integrating robotics and automated equipment within production lines.
• Background in equipment commissioning, controls debugging, and production support.
• Experience supporting validation and regulated manufacturing environments.
• Vendor coordination or technical leadership experience in automation projects.
• Automation development, equipment design, or deployment experience in medical device or comparable industries (automotive, aerospace, defense, etc.).

Benefits

For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns. Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment.

Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.