Controls Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
Controls Engineer jobs in Minnesota are concentrated in the Twin Cities metro, Rochester, and Duluth, where manufacturers, food processors, and medical device companies drive steady demand for automation and process control expertise. Employers like Eaton, Cargill, and Mayo Clinic Health System maintain lasting controls engineering teams across the state, with openings at every experience level from early-career to senior systems architect. The most in-demand specialties in Minnesota include PLC programming, SCADA systems, and process automation for food, medical device, and industrial manufacturing environments. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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COMPANY OVERVIEW
We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Controls Engineer provides technical leadership for the Fridley manufacturing site’s electrical, instrumentation, and control systems. This role is focused on day-to-day plant support to improve safety, reliability, quality, and operational performance across the facility.
This position requires close partnership with operations, maintenance, electricians, technicians, engineers, contractors, and corporate resources. The role will support troubleshooting, standards compliance, system improvements, controls architecture, and development of site technical capability.
Learn more about our Fridley manufacturing site. Click here
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Provide tactical support to reduce issues affecting equipment reliability, plant performance, product quality, and safety
Troubleshoot plant electrical, instrumentation, PLC, HMI, VFD, and network-related issues in support of operations and maintenance
Support strategic improvement efforts by applying controls and automation technology to remove losses in the manufacturing process
Support plant electrical safety efforts, including inspections, maintenance activities, safe work practices, and compliance initiatives
Maintain and improve site electrical and controls architecture, including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servers, and related infrastructure
Support plant capital projects as the site electrical and controls resource as needed, with emphasis on scope input, design review, startup support, and standards compliance
Build strong working relationships with operations, maintenance, leadership, electricians, contractors, integrators, vendors, and corporate engineering resources
Coach and develop electricians, technicians, mechanics, and other plant personnel to strengthen the site's technical capability
Support management of electrical and controls spare parts and storeroom inventory
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related field with applicable experience, or equivalent relevant work experience
2+ years of related manufacturing, controls, electrical, instrumentation, or automation experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment
Ability to read and interpret electrical and control schematics with basic working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, motor controls, instrumentation, and control systems
Strong organizational and planning skills with a strong ability to troubleshoot and problem solve
Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and support others with different experience levels
Ability to work in a plant environment and support off-shift or weekend needs as required for a 24-hour operation
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
5 + years of experience troubleshooting industrial electrical, instrumentation, and control systems
Experience with Allen-Bradley platforms, including ControlLogix, PanelView, CCW, and RSLinx
Experience with Aveva or Wonderware platforms, including InTouch, Historian, System Platform, InSql , Tag Server, or DAS
Understanding of industrial communication networks and topologies, including Ethernet and legacy plant-floor communication systems
Understanding of practical electrical circuits, motor control circuits, grounding systems, and power distribution in an industrial setting
Familiarity with NEC, NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, and related electrical safety and equipment standards
Experience working with contractors, system integrators, and vendors in a plant environment
Experience with process manufacturing, packaging systems, or food manufacturing operations
Minnesota Master A Electrical License, electrical qualification, or similar demonstrated electrical background
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
International relocation or international remote working arrangements outside of the United States will not be considered.
Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.
SALARY RANGE
The salary range for this position is:
$71,300 - $107,000 AnnualAt General Mills we strive for each employee's pay at any point in their career to reflect their experiences performance and skills for their current role. The salary range for this role represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, educations, skills, work experience, certifications, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.
Beyond base salary, General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support and perks. Benefits may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors. You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive program. An incentive award, if any, depends on various factors, including, individual and organizational performance.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must meet a minimum 18-year age qualification.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)
General Mills is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or familial status, status regarding public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission.
REASONABLE ACCOMODATION REQUEST
If you need to request an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please fill out our online accommodation request form by following this link: Accommodation Request .
See All 45 Controls Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
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Find Controls Engineer JobsControls Engineer Jobs by City in Minnesota
Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Controls Engineer Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Automotive
- Food & Beverage
- Agriculture & Farming
What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in controls engineer jobs across Minnesota.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a related technical field
- Hands-on experience programming PLCs using Allen-Bradley or Siemens platforms
- Proficiency with SCADA systems design, configuration, and real-time monitoring
- Familiarity with industrial networking protocols such as EtherNet/IP and Modbus
- Experience with control panel design, wiring schematics, and instrumentation selection
- Professional Engineer licensure in Minnesota preferred for senior or systems-lead roles
Controls Engineer Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a controls engineer in Minnesota?
Most Minnesota employers require a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering as the foundation for a controls engineering role. Licensure as a Professional Engineer through the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design strengthens candidacy for senior positions and client-facing work. Early-career engineers typically build skills through plant engineering roles at manufacturers or integrators before moving into dedicated controls engineering positions.
How much do controls engineers make in Minnesota?
Controls engineers in Minnesota earn a median of about $102,660 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,010 for the lowest 10% to over $158,740 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire controls engineers in Minnesota?
Minnesota controls engineer roles are posted by Sargent & Lundy, PAR Systems, and Daikin Applied and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Minnesota's deep base of food processing, medical device, and industrial manufacturing companies means controls engineering demand extends well beyond the Twin Cities into regional manufacturing hubs.
Which Minnesota cities have the most controls engineer jobs?
Minneapolis, Plymouth, and Shoreview have the most controls engineer openings in Minnesota. The Twin Cities anchor the market through headquarters and regional operations of large manufacturers and systems integrators, while Rochester draws openings tied to medical device and healthcare infrastructure, and Duluth reflects industrial and utility-sector demand in the northern part of the state.
Are there remote controls engineer jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, but they're rare. Controls engineering is largely hands-on work tied to physical plant equipment, so most roles require an on-site presence for commissioning, troubleshooting, and integration. About 65% of controls engineer openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to involve design, programming review, or project management rather than active floor work.
How can I get hired as a controls engineer in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an engineering technician or automation technician role at a Minnesota manufacturer or systems integrator, where hands-on PLC and instrumentation exposure is built on the job. Large employers like Eaton and Cargill run new-graduate engineering programs that rotate through controls and automation functions. A portfolio of PLC programming projects and progress toward Professional Engineer licensure through the Minnesota licensing board both strengthen a new candidate's application significantly.
Where can I find and apply to controls engineer jobs in Minnesota?
You can find and apply to controls engineer jobs in Minnesota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to each position that fits.
See All 45 Controls Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
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