Experienced Controls Engineer

Pohlad Companies•Shoreview, MN

20d•$100,000 - $150,000

About The Position

PAR Systems is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer with a strong Beckhoff background to join its Advanced Manufacturing team. The team builds custom systems for demanding aerospace and defense applications, including precision cutting and trimming, robotic and configurable fixtures, drilling, and friction stir welding. The engineer develops controls and software for custom machines that require coordinated motion, process control, and reliable operation, and contributes to expanding Beckhoff expertise, reusable software, and engineering practices. Candidates may be placed at the Advanced or Senior Engineer level based on technical depth, independence, project ownership, and ability to guide others. The position involves translating requirements into controls architectures, software designs, and test plans; developing machine-control software with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and IEC 61131-3 Structured Text; configuring and commissioning Beckhoff controllers and related equipment; and implementing motion control, operating modes, sequences, interlocks, alarms, diagnostics, and recovery behavior. The engineer integrates operator interfaces, instrumentation, robots, and PC applications, collaborates across engineering disciplines, tests and commissions machines, troubleshoots system issues, and contributes reusable libraries, standards, documentation, and technical reviews. Travel for installation and commissioning is required. The role is a salaried position with a targeted starting rate of $100,000–$150,000 annually. PAR Systems offers market-competitive pay and benefits based on skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.
Typically five or more years of controls or automation engineering experience, with demonstrated responsibility for delivering automated equipment.
Substantial hands-on experience developing and commissioning Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 applications, including implementing machine functionality and bringing it into operation.
Strong Structured Text programming skills and experience organizing software into reusable function blocks and clear interfaces.
Practical experience configuring and troubleshooting EtherCAT networks, I/O, and servo systems.
Experience implementing motion control, commissioning axes, tuning drives, and diagnosing motion performance.
Ability to read electrical schematics and troubleshoot interactions between software and physical equipment.
Clear communication, sound engineering judgment, and ability to follow technical issues through resolution.
Willingness to travel for installation and commissioning.

Nice To Haves

TwinCAT NC PTP, NC I, or CNC applications involving coordinated motion and interpolated toolpaths.
Robotics, custom kinematics, coordinate transformations, or path-controlled manufacturing.
TwinSAFE programming and machine safety validation.
TwinCAT HMI or other industrial operator-interface development.
ADS communication and integration with C#, C++, Python, or web applications.
Git, object-oriented programming, automated testing, and reusable software-library development.
Simulation, virtual commissioning, or digital machine models.
Precision manufacturing, process instrumentation, force control, or closed-loop process control.
Experience with Siemens, B&R, or Rockwell platforms.
AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical design tools.

Responsibilities

Translate customer and machine requirements into controls architectures, software designs, and test plans.
Develop modular, maintainable machine-control software using Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and IEC 61131-3 Structured Text.
Configure and commission Beckhoff controllers, EtherCAT networks, I/O, servo drives, and connected devices.
Implement and tune motion control, including axis sequencing, synchronization, and coordinated movement.
Develop machine operating modes, process sequences, interlocks, alarms, diagnostics, and recovery behavior.
Integrate operator interfaces, instrumentation, robots, and PC applications with the machine-control system.
Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, software, and process engineers to resolve system interfaces and design challenges.
Test software through simulation and staged integration, and support machine power-up, debugging, Factory Acceptance Testing, and customer-site commissioning.
Troubleshoot issues across software, electrical hardware, motion systems, and manufacturing processes.
Contribute reusable libraries, coding standards, documentation, and technical reviews.
Share Beckhoff knowledge and mentor other engineers.
Travel for installation and commissioning.