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Machine Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Quality Engineer - CMM

Andover, MN · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Dahlquist Machine Dahlquist Machine by Fathom is the premier precision machining company in America ... Quality Engineer Position Summary The Quality Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring product ...

CNC Machinist III

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$32 - $38/hr

Edit machine programs as needed * Select proper tooling for machining sequences * Determine ... Programming experience is a plus but not required Physical Requirements: * Ability to stand for ...

Manual Milling Machinist

Chaska, MN · On-site

$28 - $34/hr

Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and work instructions * Machine parts to tight tolerances using aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and specialty alloys * Select tooling ...

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Machine Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$30.9K

$126.1K

$189.5K

How much do machine engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for machine engineer in Minnesota is $126,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,400.00 and $151,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical collaborative interactions a Machine Engineer has with other departments?

Machine Engineers frequently work alongside cross-functional teams, including production, quality assurance, and maintenance. They often collaborate with design engineers to refine machine specifications and with operators to ensure equipment runs smoothly. Regular communication with procurement and supply chain teams is also common to coordinate the sourcing of machine components and materials. This collaborative approach helps ensure that machinery meets both operational and safety standards while aligning with overall production goals.

What is the difference between Machine Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectMachine EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering; certifications varyBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; often includes licensure
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, industrial facilities, machinery designDesign offices, research labs, manufacturing settings
Industry UsageHeavy machinery, automation, manufacturingAutomotive, aerospace, robotics, product design

Machine Engineers focus on designing, maintaining, and improving machinery and automation systems, often working directly with manufacturing equipment. Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, working on product design, thermodynamics, and structural analysis across various industries. Both roles require strong engineering fundamentals, but Machine Engineers typically specialize in machinery operation and optimization, while Mechanical Engineers work on a wider range of mechanical systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Machine Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Machine Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, problem-solving skills, and typically a bachelor’s degree in mechanical or related engineering fields. Experience with CAD software, PLC programming, and familiarity with industry standards or certifications like Six Sigma are often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These competencies are crucial for designing, optimizing, and maintaining machinery to ensure efficient and safe operations in manufacturing environments.

What are Machine Engineers?

Machine Engineers are professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain machinery and mechanical systems used in various industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, and robotics. They apply principles of mechanical engineering, mathematics, and physics to solve problems related to machines and their components. Machine Engineers may work on improving existing equipment, developing new machines, or overseeing the installation and operation of machinery. Their responsibilities often include creating technical drawings, selecting appropriate materials, and ensuring machines operate safely and efficiently.
What are popular job titles related to Machine Engineer jobs in Minnesota? For Machine Engineer jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Machine Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,118 per year, or $60.6 per hour.
Principal Software Engineer- Machine Automation

Principal Software Engineer- Machine Automation

IPG Photonics

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$140K - $188K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 hours ago


IPG Photonics rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

106th of 429 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

IPG's Material Processing Systems Group is focused on integrating state-of-the-art IPG lasers into turn-key systems to be used in the semiconductor, medical and other industries. We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join the Material Processing Systems Group in the development of advanced laser-based manufacturing systems. This position serves as a principal technical contributor responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting software solutions for IPG's laser processing equipment.
The successful candidate will leverage extensive experience in industrial automation, machine control, and software engineering to develop new machine capabilities, improve existing platforms, and support customer-driven enhancements. While working within established software architectures, this individual will provide technical leadership, mentor less experienced engineers, and help drive engineering excellence across projects.
In addition to software development responsibilities, the Principal Software Engineer will work closely with manufacturing, applications, service, and project teams to support machine builds, system integration, commissioning activities, and project execution on the production floor. This role requires strong system-level problem-solving skills and the ability to coordinate efforts across software, electrical, mechanical, and applications engineering disciplines.
  • Analyze machine requirements, customer requests, and engineering specifications to develop software solutions for laser-based material processing systems.
  • Design, implement, test, and maintain software features within established machine control architectures.
  • Serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert within assigned projects and areas of responsibility, providing technical guidance and collaborating with other principal engineers to align engineering standards and implementation approaches.
  • Mentor junior and mid-level engineers through design reviews, code reviews, troubleshooting, and technical guidance.
  • Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, controls, and applications engineers to deliver integrated machine solutions.
  • Support machine integration, testing, validation, and commissioning activities during machine builds.
  • Provide technical leadership for assigned projects and coordination during machine build, integration, commissioning, and acceptance activities, ensuring software deliverables are executed according to project objectives and engineering standards.
  • Diagnose and resolve complex system-level issues involving software, motion control, machine vision, communications, and hardware integration.
  • Drive software quality through adherence to coding standards, testing practices, and maintainability guidelines.
  • Evaluate and implement improvements to existing machine architectures, software frameworks, and development processes.
  • Support field service teams and customers in resolving advanced software and machine performance issues.
  • Participate in customer visits and occasional domestic or international travel to support installations and project execution.

Requirements:
  • 15+ years professional software engineering experience.
  • Demonstrated experience leading technical projects and mentoring engineers.
  • BSCE, BSCS, BSEE, or equivalent. MS, a plus.
  • Demonstrated history of solving complex technical challenges in industrial automation, CNC, robotics, or manufacturing systems.
  • Expert proficiency in Microsoft C#/.NET development.
  • Experience developing industrial automation, CNC, robotics, or precision automation equipment software.
  • Strong understanding of multithreaded and distributed systems.
  • Experience integrating motion control systems, machine vision systems, and industrial hardware.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  • Experience with Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tools such as Microsoft Azure DevOps and Git
  • Strong understanding of object-oriented design principles and software development best practices.
  • Strong troubleshooting skills at an overall system level (software, electrical and mechanical).
  • Strong professional organization and task priority skills.

Experience Desired (not required):
  • Experience with advanced software testing technologies in .NET
  • Experience using a PC to interface with external sensors and control peripheral devices via vendor SDK, serial or TCP/IP communications.
  • Experience with web services and APIs including ASP.NET, JSON, and RESTful interfaces.
  • Experience developing automated manufacturing equipment, particularly factory-connected systems and Industry 4.0 solutions.
  • Experience with databases (Microsoft SQL Server).
  • Motion control systems (Aerotech A3200, Aerotech Automation 1, ACS).
  • Machine vision (Dalsa/Sapera/Sherlock, Cognex, Matrox).

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