Work Study Controls Engineer Jobs in Maplewood, MN

We are seeking an experienced Automation & Controls Engineer near Saint Paul, MN. This role is ideal for a highly skilled controls professional who enjoys solving complex automation challenges, working on advanced manufacturing systems, and supporting projects from concept through commissioning.

This position offers the stability of a salaried role while providing hourly compensation for all hours worked. Employees are paid for all hours worked, including additional hours required to support project schedules, installations, startups, and customer needs.

You will work alongside a talented team of automation professionals with deep expertise in industrial controls, motion systems, process automation, and machine integration. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact while working in a collaborative, values-driven environment.

Why Work Here?

• Competitive compensation package

• Paid hourly for all hours worked

• Biannual bonus opportunity based on company performance

• Small, close-knit team with supportive and experienced coworkers

• Ability to make decisions quickly and have a direct impact on projects

• Strong culture built around honesty, respect, teamwork, service, safety, and development

• Long-tenured employees and a focus on employee growth and satisfaction

• Opportunity to work with a highly experienced automation and controls engineering team

• Exposure to challenging, advanced automation projects across multiple industries

Key Responsibilities

Controls System Architecture & Programming

• Design, develop, and deploy advanced PLC and HMI/SCADA applications utilizing Allen-Bradley Logix platforms, including Studio 5000 and RSLogix 5000.

• Develop structured, maintainable PLC programs and control architectures for complex manufacturing and industrial automation systems.

• Support the full automation lifecycle from design through implementation and startup.

Motion Control & Advanced Automation

• Program and commission high-speed, multi-axis synchronized motion systems.

• Develop applications utilizing Allen-Bradley Kinetix servo drives, virtual master axes, electronic gearing, and electronic camming.

• Optimize motion performance for precision manufacturing operations.

Conveyor & Material Handling Automation

• Design, program, and optimize complex material handling systems, including:

  • Accumulation conveyors

  • Sortation systems

  • Palletizers

  • Automated guided vehicle (AGV) and autonomous mobile robot (AMR) integrations

• Develop product tracking, merging, diverting, and barcode/RFID scanning logic to support high-throughput production environments.

• Support integration with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).

Process Control & Advanced Applications

• Develop and optimize control strategies for web handling applications, including:

  • Tension control

  • Winding and unwinding systems

  • Registration control

• Engineer extrusion process controls, including temperature regulation, pressure control, and line speed synchronization.

• Develop batch process sequences utilizing industry standards such as ISA-88 principles.

• Design, tune, and troubleshoot advanced control loops, including:

  • PID loops

  • Cascade control

  • Ratio control

  • Feed-forward compensation

System Integration & Commissioning

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

• Perform factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), startup, troubleshooting, and commissioning activities.

• Provide technical support during equipment installation, production ramp-up, and ongoing operations.

Safety & Documentation

• Design and implement machine safety systems utilizing Allen-Bradley GuardLogix controllers and safety-rated components.

• Support compliance with applicable safety standards, including ISO 13849 and ANSI B11.19.

• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, including:

  • Functional Design Specifications (FDS)

  • Control philosophy documents

  • I/O lists

  • Cause-and-effect matrices

  • As-built code documentation

Qualifications & Requirements

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

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

• Expert-level proficiency with Allen-Bradley automation platforms, including:

  • ControlLogix

  • GuardLogix

  • Studio 5000

  • PanelView Plus

  • FactoryTalk View SE/ME

• Advanced experience with:

  • High-speed motion control

  • Multi-axis synchronization

  • Servo systems

  • Continuous web handling systems

  • Extrusion processes

  • Batch processing applications

  • Conveyor and material handling automation

• 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 configurations

  • 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.

Benefits

• 401(k) savings plan with 3% company contribution annually

• Paid time off (starting at 2 weeks; negotiable based on experience)

• 10 paid holidays, including 2 floating holidays

• Paid sick and safe time

• Paid family medical leave

• Medical insurance through UMR (UnitedHealthcare)

• Pharmacy management program

• Health savings account with company contribution:

  • $1,700 annually for individual coverage

  • $3,400 annually for family coverage

• Dental insurance

• Company-paid life insurance and AD&D coverage

• Access to a modern healthcare program providing convenient access to:

  • Primary care visits

  • Physical therapy

  • Mental health services

  • Physicals and wellness services

  • Bloodwork

  • Prescription support

  • Mobile healthcare services

• Employee Assistance Program

• Voluntary insurance programs, including short-term disability and accident coverage

Culture

We are a small, collaborative organization where employees have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions, work on challenging projects, and grow their technical expertise.

Our team values:

• Honesty

• Respect

• Teamwork

• Service

• Safety

• Continuous development

Employees enjoy a supportive environment where ideas are valued, decisions can be made quickly, and their work directly impacts the success of customers and projects.