Junior Automation Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

By joining Bio-Techne, you’ll join a company with a powerful and positive purpose of enabling cutting‑edge research in Life Sciences and Clinical Diagnostics. Bio‑Techne, and all of its brands, provides tools for researchers to further treat and prevent disease worldwide.

Pay Range: $78,100 - $128,500

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for planning, designing, and maintaining manufacturing processes across Filling, Kitting, Packaging, and Shipping. Ensures systems run to specifications and comply with regulations while supporting cross‑functional teams to optimize materials, labor, equipment, and systems.

• Lead the design, architecture, and deployment of advanced automation systems, including robotics, vision systems, PLCs, and collaborative robots (COBOTs), across manufacturing operations.
• Define and execute automation strategy and roadmap, aligning with business objectives for cost, quality, throughput, and scalability.
• Drive end‑to‑end process optimization initiatives, leveraging Lean Six Sigma, data analytics, and digital manufacturing tools to deliver sustained KPI improvements (OTD, cycle time, yield, and labor efficiency).
• Own capital automation projects from concept through commissioning, including business case development, equipment specification, vendor selection, FAT/SAT, and full lifecycle validation (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Act as technical authority for automation systems, providing advanced troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and long‑term corrective actions for complex manufacturing and equipment issues.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives with Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and R&D to industrialize new products and scale manufacturing processes.
• Establish and standardize engineering best practices, including automation standards, validation protocols, and documentation systems.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and technicians, building organizational capability in automation, controls, and process engineering.
• Drive supplier strategy and partnerships, including qualification, performance management, and co‑development of automation solutions.
• Champion digital transformation initiatives, including integration of MES, data systems, and smart factory technologies.

• Education: Requires a master’s degree with 2‑5 years of relevant experience, OR a bachelor’s degree with 5‑8 years of relevant experience, OR an associate degree with 10 or more years of relevant experience.
• 5+ years of automation or process engineering experience.
• Mechanical and electrical aptitude required.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred.

• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma and CI methodologies.
• Skilled in detailed, accurate, and organized work.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office, Smartsheet, and statistical software (Minitab/JMP).
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate across departments.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and systems.

• Onsite role supporting multiple production departments; may require extended hours as needed.

• Ability to stand.
• Move through production areas.
• Operate equipment as necessary.

• Competitive insurance benefits starting on day one: medical, dental, vision, life, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, pet, and legal and ID shield.
• Financial‑planning resources including 401(k), ESPP, HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care FSA.
• Career development through mentorship, promotional opportunities, training and development, tuition reimbursement, internship programs, and more.
• Employee resource groups, volunteer paid time off, employee events, and charity drives.
• Accrued leave policy with paid holidays, paid time off, and paid parental leave.
• Cultivating a culture of empowerment and innovation where employees feel valued and encouraged to bring new ideas.

Bio‑Techne is an E‑Verify Employer in the United States. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. To protect the interests of all, Bio‑Techne will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than a candidate application. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Bio‑Techne will be considered Bio‑Techne property.

Bio‑Techne empowers researchers in Life Science and Clinical Diagnostics by providing high‑quality reagents, instruments, custom manufacturing, and testing services. Our family of brands creates a unique portfolio of products and services. Science is our passion; it drives us to collaborate, develop, and manufacture award‑winning tools that help researchers achieve reproducible and consistent results.