Controls Engineer

MDS Staffing; Anoka (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

MDS Staffing in Minnesota seeks an experienced Controls Engineer to design, implement, and debug control systems for production test equipment. You will work with PLC logic, HMIs, and industrial networks to meet testing requirements and ensure reliability.

You will collaborate with machine builders and production controls to integrate new testers into production, develop data logging, and support helium leak and functional testing with robust interlocks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related technical degree.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI development, and industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, CAN, etc.).
• Experience with end-of-line test systems in production environments.

Responsibilities

• Implement and debug control systems for production test equipment, including PLC logic, HMI interfaces, and industrial networks.
• Support development of new testing processes, ensuring controls architecture aligns with test requirements.
• Assist in equipment procurement and integration, including reviewing specifications, FAT/SAT activities, and collaborating with machine builders.
• Collaborate with production controls engineering to transition new testers into sustained production support.
• Develop and maintain data acquisition and logging systems, ensuring accurate tracking of test results and equipment performance.
• Support helium leak testing and functional testing by implementing control logic, sequencing, and safety interlocks for complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Apply modular design principles to controls architecture, code structure, and hardware layouts to improve maintainability and scalability.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Industrial protocols

Electro-mechanical systems

Data acquisition

Troubleshooting

Controls architecture

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering/Controls/Mechatronics or related

Tools

PLC programming

HMI development

Ethernet/IP/Modbus/CAN

Job description

Job Details:

• Implement and debug control systems for new production test equipment, including PLC logic, HMI interfaces, and industrial communication networks.
• Support the development of new testing processes, ensuring controls architecture aligns with test requirements.
• Assist in equipment procurement and integration, including reviewing specifications, supporting FAT/SAT activities, and collaborating with machine builders.
• Collaborate with production controls engineering to transition new testers into sustained production support.
• Develop and maintain data acquisition and logging systems, ensuring accurate tracking of test results and equipment performance.
• Support helium leak testing and functional testing by implementing control logic, sequencing, and safety interlocks for complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Apply modular design principles to controls architecture, code structure, and hardware layouts to improve maintainability and scalability.

Necessary Tools:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or other related technical degree required.
• Ideally 5+ years of experience in controls engineering, automation engineering, or production test system development.
• Hands on experience with PLC programming, HMI development, and industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, CAN, etc.).
• Strong background in instrumentation and electro-mechanical systems.
• Experience supporting or implementing end-of-line test systems in a production environment.
• Familiarity with capital equipment, automation hardware, and machine builder collaboration.
• Working knowledge of database systems used for test data collection.
• Strong troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and a passion for building reliable automated systems.
• Exposure to helium leak testing is a plus.