Controls Designer

North Wind; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

9/80 schedule

Job summary

North Wind Systems LLC in Saint Paul, MN seeks a Controls Designer to design and draft electrical equipment, wiring, control systems for wind tunnel and hypersonic test projects. The role collaborates with engineering to release custom equipment and support major facility upgrades.

Responsibilities include designing with engineers, organizing CAD drawings, selecting hardware, releasing BOMs, supporting procurement, and field work up to 15%.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of practical work experience drafting wiring, electronics, data acquisition systems or similar.
• US Person status is required due to security requirements.
• Combination of education and experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Design electrical, controls, and facility-integrated systems with engineers.
• Organize CAD drawings, BOMs, panels, and schematics per CM plan.
• Select hardware and coordinate with vendors on specs and lead times.
• Release BOMs and drawings to downstream teams; communicate changes.
• Support procurement, production, and installation during assembly and testing.
• Adhere to schedule, budget, codes, and customer requirements.
• Perform field work up to 15% and produce as-built drawings.

Skills

Drafting experience

Electrical/electronics knowledge

Automation/data acquisition

3D CAD modeling

PLC integration

ECAD tools

Education

Associate's Degree

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN Electric P8

3D CAD

Job description

Controls Designer

NWT - Engineering Disciplines Full Time St Paul, MN, US

Salary Range: $32.00 To $39.00 Annually

Join North Wind - Accelerating National Advantage

At North Wind, we are advancing hypersonic technologies through cutting-edge research, system development, and flight testing. Our team drives innovation in high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and mission-critical components, supporting every phase of hypersonic programs – from R&D to flight testing, if you are passionate about pushing technological boundaries in a dynamic environment, we invite you to join us.

Summary: We are seeking a ControlsDesigner responsible for design and drafting of electrical equipment, wiring, control equipment, and data acquisition systems used in wind tunnel and hypersonic ground test projects. This is a diverse role that includes working closely with engineering to release predominantly custom one-off equipment and components for new tunnel facilities as well as major capability upgrades to existing facilities.

Responsibilities:

• Design-Partner with engineers to design electrical, controls, and facility-integrated systems. Organize CAD drawings (junction box and other larger assemblies, panel layouts, schematics, cable assemblies, etc.) and bills of material in accordance with the company configuration management plan and established procedures.
• Hardware Selection-Research and select/specify hardware based on design requirements, coordinating with vendors and suppliers on component specifications, lead times, and sourcing.
• Release- Clearly communicate and manage the release of bills of material and drawings outside of engineering. Includes communication of changes due to drawing and bill of materials revisions to downstream departments and customers.
• Support- Interface with procurement, production, and installation teams to resolve issues and concerns discovered during equipment assembly, testing, and commissioning.
• Budget & Schedule - Perform design duties on schedule and within budget, adhering to quality standards, industry codes, and customer requirements. Provides estimates of labor and schedule for assigned tasks.
• Field Work (10%) - Perform remote site field installation, checkout, testing, and customer service, including updating drawings from field redline markups to produce as-built documentation.

Preferred Education / Experience:

• Associate's Degree from an accredited institution.
• 3+ years of practical work experience in drafting of wiring, electronics, data acquisition systems, or a similar role.
• A combination of education and experience equivalent to the above.
• Due to security requirements, US Person status is required.

Preferred Knowledge / Ability:

• Experience with design and implementation of automation or data acquisition systems in an industrial setting.
• Experience with one-line power diagrams
• Experience with P&ID drawings (Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams)
• Strong electro-mechanical systems with PLC control integration experience preferred.
• Strong AutoCAD Electrical, or similar ECAD software (e.g. EPLAN Electric P8), 2D wiring diagram experience preferred.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD modeling review preferred.
• Familiarity with NEC (NFPA 70), NFPA 70E arc flash safety requirements, and UL 508A control panel standards.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally. Travel typically is less than 15%.
• Must be a self-starter, able to balance priorities between multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively and productively as an individual contributor and collaborate as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and positive attitude.

More flexibility. More balance. More time for what matters. Our team members enjoy the option of a hybrid work environment and the ability to have a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off: providing greater flexibility while supporting both professional success and personal well-being.

North Wind is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. North Wind supports safe and drug free workplace through pre-employment background checks and drug testing.

The salary range provided is a general guideline. Actual pay will depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and other applicable qualifications. North Wind is committed to pay transparency in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.