Automation Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
Automation Engineer jobs in Minnesota are concentrated in manufacturing, medical device production, and food processing, with steady demand across experience levels from entry-level controls technicians to senior systems architects. The Twin Cities metro anchors most of the hiring, followed by Rochester and St. Cloud, where employers like Medtronic, 3M, and General Mills maintain large engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties in Minnesota include PLC programming, robotics integration, and SCADA systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Responsible for mechanical concept development, design, equipment selection, detailed engineering, supplier coordination, installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting of manufacturing automation equipment and systems.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop mechanical concepts for manufacturing automation, robotic cells, assembly lines, material handling, and SPMs.
- Prepare 2D/3D layouts, concept designs, detailed designs, and manufacturing drawings.
- Design:
- Machine frames and structures
- Fixtures and tooling
- Robot EOAT/grippers
- Conveyors and transfer systems
- Guarding and safety enclosures
- Pneumatic mechanisms
- Lifting/handling mechanisms
- Pallet and material-handling systems
- Perform mechanical calculations for load, torque, speed, power, cycle time, and component sizing.
- Select mechanical and automation components such as:
- Motors and gearboxes
- Linear guides
- Bearings
- Ball screws
- Pneumatic cylinders
- Grippers
- Conveyors
- Sensors and mechanical accessories
- Prepare BOM, technical specifications, RFQs, and vendor data sheets.
- Conduct design reviews, tolerance-stack reviews, interference checks, and design-for-manufacturing/assembly reviews.
- Coordinate with electrical, controls, robotics, and machine-vision engineers for complete system integration.
- Support suppliers during manufacturing, assembly, and machine build.
- Participate in FAT, SAT, installation, and commissioning.
- Troubleshoot mechanical problems during trial and production ramp-up.
- Support root-cause analysis for vibration, alignment, repeatability, wear, jamming, and cycle-time issues.
- Ensure machine design considers operator access, maintainability, ergonomics, guarding, and equipment safety.
- Prepare design documentation, BOMs, drawings, manuals, and as-built documentation.
Mandatory Technical Skills:
- Strong mechanical automation design experience.
- 3D CAD: SolidWorks / Creo / CATIA / Autodesk Inventor or equivalent.
- AutoCAD or equivalent 2D drafting.
- GD&T and engineering drawings.
- Tolerance stack-up.
- Pneumatics and mechanical mechanisms.
- Conveyor and material-handling systems.
- Robot EOAT / fixture design.
- Motor, gearbox, and actuator sizing.
- Machine structures and guarding.
- BOM preparation.
- Equipment/component selection.
- Design review and supplier coordination.
- FAT/SAT and commissioning support.
Preferred Experience:
Experience in one or more of the following:
- Robotic automation cells.
- Assembly automation.
- Pick-and-place systems.
- Palletizing/depalletizing.
- Conveyor systems.
- AGV/AMR interfacing stations.
- Packaging automation.
- Machine tending.
- Inspection stations.
- Warehouse/material-handling automation.
- Special Purpose Machines (SPMs).
Qualification:
- B.E./B.Tech/Diploma in Mechanical / Mechatronics Engineering
Responsible for mechanical concept development, design, equipment selection, detailed engineering, supplier coordination, installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting of manufacturing automation equipment and systems.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop mechanical concepts for manufacturing automation, robotic cells, assembly lines, material handling, and SPMs.
- Prepare 2D/3D layouts, concept designs, detailed designs, and manufacturing drawings.
- Design:
- Machine frames and structures
- Fixtures and tooling
- Robot EOAT/grippers
- Conveyors and transfer systems
- Guarding and safety enclosures
- Pneumatic mechanisms
- Lifting/handling mechanisms
- Pallet and material-handling systems
- Perform mechanical calculations for load, torque, speed, power, cycle time, and component sizing.
- Select mechanical and automation components such as:
- Motors and gearboxes
- Linear guides
- Bearings
- Ball screws
- Pneumatic cylinders
- Grippers
- Conveyors
- Sensors and mechanical accessories
- Prepare BOM, technical specifications, RFQs, and vendor data sheets.
- Conduct design reviews, tolerance-stack reviews, interference checks, and design-for-manufacturing/assembly reviews.
- Coordinate with electrical, controls, robotics, and machine-vision engineers for complete system integration.
- Support suppliers during manufacturing, assembly, and machine build.
- Participate in FAT, SAT, installation, and commissioning.
- Troubleshoot mechanical problems during trial and production ramp-up.
- Support root-cause analysis for vibration, alignment, repeatability, wear, jamming, and cycle-time issues.
- Ensure machine design considers operator access, maintainability, ergonomics, guarding, and equipment safety.
- Prepare design documentation, BOMs, drawings, manuals, and as-built documentation.
Mandatory Technical Skills:
- Strong mechanical automation design experience.
- 3D CAD: SolidWorks / Creo / CATIA / Autodesk Inventor or equivalent.
- AutoCAD or equivalent 2D drafting.
- GD&T and engineering drawings.
- Tolerance stack-up.
- Pneumatics and mechanical mechanisms.
- Conveyor and material-handling systems.
- Robot EOAT / fixture design.
- Motor, gearbox, and actuator sizing.
- Machine structures and guarding.
- BOM preparation.
- Equipment/component selection.
- Design review and supplier coordination.
- FAT/SAT and commissioning support.
Preferred Experience:
Experience in one or more of the following:
- Robotic automation cells.
- Assembly automation.
- Pick-and-place systems.
- Palletizing/depalletizing.
- Conveyor systems.
- AGV/AMR interfacing stations.
- Packaging automation.
- Machine tending.
- Inspection stations.
- Warehouse/material-handling automation.
- Special Purpose Machines (SPMs).
Qualification:
- B.E./B.Tech/Diploma in Mechanical / Mechatronics Engineering
See All 48 Automation Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Automation Engineer JobsAutomation Engineer Jobs by City in Minnesota
Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Automation Engineer Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Insurance
- Science & Research
- Electronics & Hardware
What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in automation engineer jobs across Minnesota.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or automation engineering or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with PLCs from Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or comparable platforms
- Proficiency in SCADA systems, HMI development, and industrial communication protocols
- Knowledge of robotics integration, machine vision systems, or conveyor automation
- Familiarity with FDA validation requirements relevant to Minnesota's medical device industry
- Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, P&ID diagrams, and technical drawings
Automation Engineer Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a automation engineer in Minnesota?
Most automation engineer positions in Minnesota require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, controls engineering, or mechatronics. Minnesota does not require a state-specific license for most private-sector automation roles, though professional engineer licensure through the Minnesota Board of AELSLAGID strengthens candidacy for senior positions. Employers in the medical device sector often expect familiarity with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, making that knowledge a practical requirement for many local roles.
How much do automation engineers make in Minnesota?
Automation engineers in Minnesota earn a median of about $108,850 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $73,790 for the lowest 10% to over $167,120 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire automation engineers in Minnesota?
Employers hiring automation engineers in Minnesota right now include Tesla, U.S. Bank, and Graco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Minnesota's dense concentration of medical device manufacturers, food production facilities, and industrial equipment makers means automation engineering roles appear consistently across a wide range of company sizes and sectors.
Which Minnesota cities have the most automation engineer jobs?
Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, and Benson have the most automation engineer openings in Minnesota. The Twin Cities metro drives the bulk of demand because of its headquarters-level operations for companies like Medtronic, 3M, and General Mills, while Rochester draws openings tied to precision manufacturing and medical technology, and St. Cloud's industrial base supports roles in food processing and plastics automation.
Are there remote automation engineer jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, but they're rare. Automation engineers typically work on-site to program, test, and maintain physical systems, so the role is less remote-friendly than desk-based engineering disciplines. About 40% of automation engineer openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those postings tend to cover project management, system architecture review, or off-site commissioning support rather than hands-on controls work.
How can I get hired as a automation engineer in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a controls technician or manufacturing engineer associate role, which large Minnesota employers like Medtronic and General Mills post as stepping stones into full automation engineering. A two- or four-year degree in electrical technology or mechatronics from institutions like Dunwoody College of Technology or Minnesota State University gives candidates a concrete credential. Building a portfolio of PLC ladder logic projects and pursuing an entry-level certification in Rockwell Automation or Siemens platforms strengthens applications significantly for Minnesota's manufacturing-heavy market.
Where can I find and apply to automation engineer jobs in Minnesota?
You can find and apply to automation engineer jobs in Minnesota on Migrate Mate, which lists current Minnesota openings across the Twin Cities, Rochester, St. Cloud, and surrounding areas. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 48 Automation Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Automation Engineer Jobs