Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
Electrical controls engineer jobs in Minnesota concentrate in manufacturing, food and beverage processing, medical device production, and industrial automation, with demand at every level from entry-level PLC programmer to senior systems integrator. The Twin Cities metro leads hiring, followed by Rochester and St. Cloud, where companies like 3M, Eaton, and General Mills maintain substantial engineering operations and regularly recruit controls talent. The most sought-after specialties in Minnesota are PLC and HMI programming, motion control, and functional safety engineering. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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About KAMP Automation
We build custom automated machines to increase throughput, drive labor reallocation, and improve quality for manufacturing companies spanning from SMBs to Fortune 500 Enterprises. Our clients partner with us to achieve their business objectives and automate their manufacturing processes. We do that by building them machines featuring our novel concepts, manufacturing excellence, and proficiency with cutting-edge automation technologies.
The Role
KAMP Automation is seeking a highly motivated Electrical Engineer for our Headquarters in Owatonna, Minnesota, to contribute to the design and development of turn-key automated equipment utilizing state-of-the-art robotics, machine vision, PLCs, and other industrial technologies.
The Electrical Engineer will work to develop equipment, software, and process concepts along with several Automation Engineering peers. Candidate will create a robust system architecture to support the concept and layout electrical/pneumatic schematics. Once the electrical panel is built, he/she will program all controls components such as robots, PLCs, HMIs, conveyors, safety devices, and other hardware from power-on, debug, process fine tuning, and validation.
The Electrical Engineer will work independently and with cross-functional teams throughout the entire lifecycle of the project. Candidate will work closely with Sales, Project Management, and Mechanical Engineering to bring systems from initial design, through prototype development and finally into full production.
Responsibilities
- Participate in initial equipment conceptual development and carefully balance product specifications, process control requirements, layout complexity, cost, quality and lead-time limits.
- Lay out new industrial electrical control panels which are NFPA79/NEC/UL508A/CE compliant, and create electrical and pneumatic schematics.
- Architect, write, and debug PLC programs with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable and reusable. PLC code will interact with subsystems such as conveyors, robots, Manufacturing Execution System (MES), LabView, machine vision, and 3rd party equipment.
- Implement (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment.
- Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens for complex machinery while providing sufficient feedback for troubleshooting.
- Manage electrical cabinet builds, field wiring, and pneumatic plumbing.
- Select and size electrical and electromechanical components.
- Introduce automated processes into production, and train Customer Maintenance and Production Teams to support after deployment into production.
- Create machine interactions with plant-wide Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to communicate machine status and process variables.
Requirements
- Experience with process integration and electromechanical / mechatronic systems
- Knowledge of Electrical Standards (NFPA79, National Electric code, UL508A).
- Knowledge of Safety standards (ANSI/RIA15.06, OSHA).
- Knowledge of PackML and IEC 61131 is a plus
- PLCs (Beckhoff, Allen Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix and RSLogix 5000, Omron)
- Safety PLCs (Allen Bradley ControlLogix, SmartGuard, Beckhoff)
- Human Machine Interface (HMI / GUI - LabVIEW, AB PanelView, FactoryTalk, Ignition)
- Industrial Ethernet (EtherCAT, Ethernet IP, Safety rated networks) communications between machine PLCs and database systems
- Experience in programming PLCs. Must have a well-defined methodology for maintaining code structure and organization. Ability to program state machines for complex processes which involve multi-station parallel processing, pick and place automation, data acquisition. Proven ability to design fault-tolerant systems with error handling and recovery.
- Select appropriate circuit protectors, wire and cable, sensors, safety hardware, PLC hardware, remote I/O, and robots.
- Create detailed electrical and pneumatic schematics in CAD
- Exposure to a wide variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment
- Experience programming Cartesian, SCARA and Articulated robots is highly desired (Fanuc, Staubli, Kuka, Motoman, Omron, Epson)
- Experience with Machine Vision systems 2D and 3D (Cognex, Keyence, Omron, Fanuc)
- Experience creating technical specifications for automated manufacturing equipment is a plus
- Experience transitioning products and processes from prototype to production desired
- Knowledge of production quality metrics is a plus
- Ability to use 3D CAD packages such as SolidWorks is a plus
Qualifications
- BS Electrical Engineering (or equivalent, e.g. Majors in Controls and Computer Control Systems, Mechatronic Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, etc.)
- 1-5 years of experience as a hands-on Controls Engineer or Applications Engineer working on Industrial Automation Control Systems.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 6 Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Minnesota
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Find JobsElectrical Controls Engineer Jobs by City in Minnesota
Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Electrical Controls Engineer Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in electrical controls engineer jobs across Minnesota.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electrical technology, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience programming PLCs such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi platforms
- Proficiency designing and interpreting electrical schematics and control panel drawings
- Experience with HMI development, SCADA systems, and industrial network protocols like Ethernet/IP
- Familiarity with NEC standards, UL 508A panel shop practices, and industrial safety requirements
- Strong troubleshooting skills for automated production lines, drives, and motion control systems
Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a electrical controls engineer in Minnesota?
Most employers in Minnesota require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or electrical technology as the baseline qualification. Minnesota does not mandate a state-issued professional engineer license for controls roles in private industry, though earning a PE through the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design strengthens advancement prospects. Candidates who build hands-on PLC programming skills and pursue certifications from organizations like PMMI or ISA gain a measurable edge in Minnesota's manufacturing-heavy job market.
How much do electrical controls engineers make in Minnesota?
Electrical controls engineers in Minnesota earn a median of about $109,510 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $78,750 for the lowest 10% to over $167,030 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire electrical controls engineers in Minnesota?
Employers hiring electrical controls engineers in Minnesota right now include Binks US, Johnson Controls, and KAMP Automation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Minnesota's dense concentration of food processing, medical device, and industrial equipment manufacturers means controls engineers are in demand across a broad range of company sizes, from global headquarters like 3M and Eaton to regional machine builders and system integrators.
Which Minnesota cities have the most electrical controls engineer jobs?
The cities with the most electrical controls engineer openings in Minnesota are Eagan, Edina, and Ramsey. The Twin Cities metro drives the largest share of demand because it anchors the state's medical device corridor, major food and beverage plants, and industrial automation firms, while Rochester and St. Cloud attract openings through large manufacturing campuses and the supply chain networks that surround them.
Are there remote electrical controls engineer jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, but they're rare. Electrical controls engineering is fundamentally a hands-on discipline that requires physical access to panels, PLCs, and production equipment. About 100% of electrical controls engineer openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those roles tend to be in design engineering, documentation, or project management rather than commissioning or field support.
How can I get hired as a electrical controls engineer in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an electrical engineering technology degree from a Minnesota institution like Minnesota State University Mankato or Dunwoody College of Technology, both of which feed directly into controls roles at regional manufacturers. Large Minnesota employers such as Eaton and General Mills hire new graduates into associate controls or automation engineer roles. Candidates who complete internships at system integrators, build a portfolio of PLC ladder logic projects, or earn an entry-level ISA Certified Automation Professional credential are regularly selected over candidates without those credentials.
Where can I find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs in Minnesota?
You can find and apply to electrical controls engineer jobs in Minnesota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state's manufacturing, medical device, and industrial automation sectors. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
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