Controls Software Engineer II

Backburner Labs•St Paul, MN

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

Backburner Labs is a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy where mechanical, electrical, systems, and software engineers work together to solve complex technical challenges. From embedded systems and industrial automation to robotics, medical devices, IoT, cloud platforms, and AI-enabled applications, we help our clients build products that often don't exist yet. Our clients come to us when the engineering is difficult, the timeline is ambitious, and there isn't a roadmap waiting to be followed. They're looking for engineers who can create one. This is a hands-on role working with PLCs, HMIs, sensors, motors, drives, robotics, industrial networks, and custom equipment. You will collaborate with software, electrical, and mechanical engineers to take systems from early requirements through programming, integration, troubleshooting, and deployment. As an Engineer II, you should be able to independently complete defined portions of a project, make sound technical decisions within your area, and recognize when additional guidance is needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Approximately three or more years of professional controls or automation experience.
Experience programming at least one major PLC platform.
Experience developing or modifying HMI applications.
Working knowledge of industrial control systems, including I/O, sensors, actuators, motors, and drives.
Ability to read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and equipment sequences.
Experience integrating, testing, and commissioning controls software on physical equipment.
Understanding of common industrial networks and communication protocols.
Strong cross-disciplinary troubleshooting skills.
Ability to manage defined engineering work with limited day-to-day direction.
Clear written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work primarily from our Minneapolis/St. Paul-area office and travel to project or customer sites as needed.

Nice To Haves

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, Omron, or similar PLC platforms.
FactoryTalk View, Ignition, WinCC, AVEVA/Wonderware, or similar HMI/SCADA platforms.
Ladder logic, structured text, or function block programming.
EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, PROFINET, Modbus TCP, OPC UA, or CAN.
Motion control, servo systems, robotics, or machine vision.
Python, C, C++, C#, JavaScript, Linux, or other general-purpose software technologies.
Machine building, manufacturing equipment, test systems, medical devices, or regulated products.
Functional safety, risk assessments, or safety PLCs.
Source control, automated testing, and modern software-development practices.

Responsibilities

Develop, test, and maintain controls software for automated equipment and integrated systems.
Program and configure PLCs and develop or modify HMI applications.
Translate customer needs, electrical designs, and equipment sequences into working control logic.
Develop operating sequences, state machines, alarms, interlocks, fault recovery, and safety-related behaviors.
Integrate controls with sensors, motors, drives, robotics, vision systems, and other equipment.
Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks and protocols.
Review electrical schematics, I/O lists, equipment layouts, and technical specifications.
Test software in simulation, on development hardware, and on production equipment.
Support system bring-up, factory acceptance testing, installation, and commissioning.
Troubleshoot issues that cross software, electrical, mechanical, and network boundaries.
Document software, configurations, operating sequences, and test results.
Communicate technical decisions, risks, and project status to customers and internal teams.