Controls Engineering Manager

States Manufacturing LLC•Dayton, MN

9h•$180,000 - $205,000

About The Position

The Controls Engineering Manager leads the team responsible for Automation and Control of Forgent power distribution equipment, ensuring products are programmed, validated, safe, and ready to meet customer requirements before shipment and at the field level. This player-coach role combines hands-on controls engineering work (PLC/HMI programming, system testing, and commissioning support) with the leadership, coaching, and development of a team of controls engineers. This is a highly visible role requiring strong technical credibility on the floor and in front of customers, paired with the people-leadership skills needed to build a high-performing, service-oriented controls team. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader who thrives in a fast-paced, engineered-to-order manufacturing environment and can balance individual technical contribution with team leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent technical training and experience). Or 8-10 years of controls engineering experience with a focus on PLC/HMI/automation, programming of electrical equipment.
4-5 years of experience formally leading, managing, or mentoring engineers or technical staff.
Knowledgeable in power generation and basic power.
Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols including: Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, Ethernet/IP, BACnet
Strong understanding of industrial networking and automation system architecture.
Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming platforms and working knowledge of common industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, Ethernet-based protocols).
Demonstrated success programming, equipment in an engineered-to-order (ETO) or highly customized manufacturing environment.
Experience with power distribution products such as switchgear, control panels, or similar electrical equipment.
Working knowledge of UL, NEC, and other applicable industry codes and standards.
Strong cross-functional leadership skills, with experience partnering with engineering, operations, and commercial teams.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
Ability to balance hands-on technical execution with team leadership in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Willingness to provide field support with occasional local and limited domestic travel as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with SCADA / EPMS systems or system integration tools.
Experience with protective relays, automation devices, or related configuration software.
Familiarity with ERP and PLM systems (e.g., Epicor or equivalent).
Experience implementing Lean or continuous improvement initiatives within an engineering or technical team.
Experience in industries such as renewable energy, energy storage, data centers, or emerging power technologies.

Responsibilities

Builds, leads, mentors, and develops a high-performing team of controls engineers responsible for testing and commissioning of Forgent power distribution equipment.
Establishes clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards; provides coaching, technical mentorship, and career development planning.
Drives workforce planning, hiring, and capability-building aligned to business growth.
Fosters a culture aligned with Forgent values: Powered by People, You Belong, Own It, Think Boldly, and Winning Pace.
Remains hands-on in PLC and HMI programming, system testing, and commissioning to support team capacity and stay current with evolving products and technologies.
Serves as an escalation point for complex technical challenges, critical test failures, and commissioning issues in the field or on the shop floor.
Reviews and approves key technical deliverables, including test plans, commissioning procedures, and customer documentation.
Partners closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations to ensure designs translate effectively to test and commissioning, quickly resolving issues, clarifications, and non-conformances.
Collaborates with Product Management on product development and lifecycle decisions affecting controls and commissioning.
Supports Commercial teams through technical input on proposals, complex quotes, and customer-specific solutions.
Participates in design reviews and customer discussions for large or strategic projects, providing field support for technical and commercial needs.
Establishes and enforces controls engineering standards, documentation practices, and design controls.
Develops training materials, documentation, procedures, and work instructions to support the growth and capability of the controls team.
Implements process improvements that reduce cycle time, improve quality, and enable scale across testing and commissioning.
Uses metrics and data to drive accountability and continuous improvement within the team.
Ensures compliance with applicable codes and standards (e.g., UL, NEC, customer specifications) across all testing and commissioning activities.
Identifies and mitigates technical and execution risks across projects.
Follows and reinforces all company safety policies, quality standards, and housekeeping procedures.