Automation Controls Engineer: PLC & HMI Expert

Friesen's Inc.; Detroit Lakes (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Short-term disability insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

401(k)

401(k) retirement matching

Profit sharing

Paid time off

Supplemental benefits

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Friesen’s Inc. designs and manufactures automated processing systems for top consumer goods clients. The Automation Control Engineer will program PLCs across platforms, design electrical controls, develop HMI panels, and support startup and commissioning.

The role requires experience with Rockwell, TwinCAT, Siemens, and AutoCAD/SolidWorks Electrical, plus strong teamwork and troubleshooting skills. On-site with comprehensive benefits is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Automation Controls or Electronics engineering, or 5+ years automation industry experience, or 2-year technical degree with 10 years experience.
• PLC programming experience in structured text and ladder logic for industrial controls.
• Experience interfacing, communicating, and troubleshooting automated machinery.
• Knowledge of AC/DC systems, VFDs and motors.
• Good interpersonal skills; team player with colleagues and management.
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Program PLC-based systems across multiple platforms.
• Develop and maintain PLC programs using Rockwell Studio 5000/RSLogix 500 and AB platform.
• Design and program HMI/OIT panels with FactoryTalk View Studio (SE/ME) and related tools.
• Integrate diverse hardware devices and I/O systems (sensors, actuators, robotics, lasers).
• Design electrical control systems using AutoCAD/SolidWorks Electrical and create enclosures, power, logic, and safety circuits.
• Startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting of systems.
• Assist with scope of work and user guides.
• Field wiring, panel wiring, and conduit to UL/NEC standards.

Skills

PLC programming

Rockwell/AB Studio 5000

TwinCAT 2/3

Beckhoff controls

Siemens automation

HMI development

AutoCAD/SolidWorks Electrical

Electrical control design

System startup/commissioning

Python/SQL/VS

Education

Bachelor’s degree Automation Controls/Electronics

5+ years automation experience or 2-year technical degree +10 years experience

Tools

Studio 5000/RSLogix 500

FactoryTalk View Studio

Wonderware/Indusoft

TwinCAT 2/3

RSLogix/Siemens PLCs

Job description

Friesen’s Inc. designs and manufactures automated processing systems for top consumer goods clients. The Automation Control Engineer will program PLCs across platforms, design electrical controls, develop HMI panels, and support startup and commissioning.

The role requires experience with Rockwell, TwinCAT, Siemens, and AutoCAD/SolidWorks Electrical, plus strong teamwork and troubleshooting skills. On-site with comprehensive benefits is offered.