Automation & Controls Engineer

Automationtechies is partnering with an established industrial automation and controls engineering firm in search of an Automation and Controls Engineer to join their team in Saint Paul, MN . This is a permanent opportunity for a highly skilled controls professional ready to solve complex automation challenges on advanced manufacturing systems, supporting projects from concept through commissioning as part of a small, experienced, and values-driven team.

This role offers competitive salaried compensation with pay for all hours worked , including additional hours for installations, startups, and customer needs, plus a biannual bonus opportunity based on company performance. The comprehensive benefits package includes medical with a company-funded HSA contribution ($1,700 individual / $3,400 family), dental, company-paid life and AD&D insurance, a 401(k) with a 3% company contribution, PTO starting at two weeks, 10 paid holidays, paid sick and safe time, paid family medical leave, and an Employee Assistance Program.

Overview:

• Design, develop, and deploy PLC and HMI/SCADA applications on Allen-Bradley Logix platforms (Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000), building structured, maintainable control architectures for complex manufacturing systems.

• Program and commission high-speed, multi-axis synchronized motion systems using Kinetix servo drives, virtual master axes, electronic gearing, and electronic camming.

• Design and program material handling systems including accumulation conveyors, sortation, palletizers, and AGV/AMR integrations, with product tracking, merging, diverting, and barcode/RFID scanning logic.

• Develop control strategies for web handling (tension, winding/unwinding, and registration), extrusion (temperature, pressure, and line speed synchronization), and ISA-88 batch processes.

• Design, tune, and troubleshoot advanced control loops including PID, cascade, ratio, and feed-forward control.

• Integrate third-party equipment, robotics, instrumentation, and vision systems into industrial control networks, and support WMS and MES integration.

• Design and implement machine safety systems using GuardLogix controllers and safety-rated components in compliance with ISO 13849 and ANSI B11.19.

• Lead FAT, SAT, startup, and commissioning, and provide technical support through installation, production ramp-up, and ongoing operations.

• Develop and maintain engineering documentation including functional design specifications, control philosophy documents, I/O lists, cause-and-effect matrices, and as-built code.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of hands-on controls engineering experience in manufacturing, OEM machinery, or heavy industrial environments.

• Expert-level proficiency with Allen-Bradley platforms including ControlLogix, GuardLogix, Studio 5000, PanelView Plus, and FactoryTalk View SE/ME.

• Advanced experience with high-speed motion control, multi-axis synchronization, and servo systems.

• Experience with continuous web handling, extrusion, batch processing, and conveyor and material handling applications.

• Strong understanding of advanced process control strategies including PID tuning, cascade loops, ratio control, and feed-forward control.

• Experience with industrial networking architectures including EtherNet/IP, managed switches, VLAN configuration, and Device Level Ring (DLR).

• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to independently diagnose and resolve complex automation issues.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate with customers, technicians, engineers, and project teams.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering or a related field preferred; equivalent practical experience considered.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Automationtechies is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship or immigration status where protected by law, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Work Authorization and Visa Sponsorship

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available for this position, either now or in the future.