Staff Controls Engineer - Northfield, MN

EAD Management Services Inc•Northfield, MN

21d

About The Position

EAD is hiring a Staff Controls Engineer to deliver controls engineering for industrial and manufacturing facilities, including food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and parcel handling environments. The role leads controls engineering scopes across projects of varying size and complexity in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary setting. It covers control system design, programming, field support, troubleshooting, commissioning, and coordination with clients and other disciplines. The Staff Controls Engineer is expected to perform effectively with clients and in demanding on-site environments, exercise sound judgment in active industrial facilities, and take ownership of project work. The role includes technical direction, schedule ownership, client coordination, proposal and estimate input, mentoring, and quality leadership within the controls scope. Success involves delivering accurate, practical, well-documented, buildable solutions on time and within budget while continuing to develop technical skills and discipline versatility.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related technical field; an equivalent combination of education, military service, training, and experience may also be considered.
7–10 years of controls engineering experience in industrial or manufacturing environments.
Experience with PLC- and/or DCS-based control system design, programming, and troubleshooting.
Experience with HMI or SCADA programming and configuration.
Experience performing field work, including commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting in active industrial facilities.
Experience working with multidisciplinary project teams.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with clients, project teams, and field personnel.
Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and deliver results within cost and schedule constraints.
Ability to perform field and client-site work.
Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
Ability to climb numerous flights of stairs or ladders multiple times a day and/or work in tight spaces in extreme conditions.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
Maintain a valid driver's license.
Travel is required, with periods of significant travel depending on project needs.
Periodic weekend, holiday, or evening work may be needed; occasional night-shift work may be required based on client operations and project schedules, though it is infrequent.

Nice To Haves

Experience in food and beverage, life sciences, pharmaceutical, parcel, or other industrial manufacturing environments.
Experience with Rockwell / Allen-Bradley platforms, including ControlLogix and CompactLogix.
CAP, CCST, PE, or similar relevant credentials, or a commitment to pursuing one.
Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL, and ISA codes and standards.
Experience supporting or leading controls input to proposals and cost estimates.
Professional Engineer (PE), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Automation Professional (CAP), or similar relevant credentials.
Established industry relationships and a demonstrated ability to build client trust, support repeat business, and contribute to growth.

Responsibilities

Design, program, and commission PLC- and DCS-based control systems for industrial and manufacturing facilities.
Develop and configure HMI and SCADA applications to meet client and project requirements.
Perform field activities including existing-condition verification, construction support, system checkout, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting.
Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, process, and other project team members to align controls scope with overall project design and intent.
Prepare engineering deliverables, including control system design documentation, specifications, instrument lists, and panel design input.
Support proposals and estimates with technical input, hours estimates, scope definition, and risk identification.
Lead the controls engineering scope on assigned projects, including technical direction, schedule ownership, and client coordination.
Mentor and support less experienced engineers through technical guidance and project collaboration.
Serve as a primary technical point of contact for clients, vendors, and project teams on controls matters.
Lead design reviews and drive quality within the controls scope; participate in quality checks and lessons learned.
Interface professionally and effectively with clients, vendors, contractors, and construction teams.
Maintain knowledge of applicable codes and standards, including NEC, NFPA, UL, and ISA.
Communicate progress, issues, risks, and decisions proactively to the project team and Discipline Lead.
Contribute to a safe working environment and follow EAD safety standards and practices.