Controls Engineer

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc.; Detroit Lakes (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc. is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, program, and launch automation systems for major consumer products manufacturers.

You’ll own PLC programming, HMI development, and panel design from concept through commissioning, working across Rockwell, Beckhoff, Siemens ecosystems and multiple software tools. You’ll be on-site in a fast-paced industrial environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver complete control solutions, startup support, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 5+ years in an industrial automation environment.
• Hands-on PLC programming experience in structured text and ladder logic.
• Experience designing software controls for diverse industrial automated systems.

Responsibilities

• Program PLC-based systems across multiple platforms.
• Develop controls software and HMI panels for automation.
• Design electrical control systems including schematics and panel layouts.
• Provide startup support and field commissioning at customer sites.
• Troubleshoot control systems and resolve automation issues.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Electrical control systems

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

Wiring and panel design

Team collaboration

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Automation Controls/Electronics Engineering

5+ years in industrial automation environment

2-year technical degree with 10+ years’ experience

Tools

Rockwell/AB Studio 5000

RSLogix 500

Beckhoff TwinCAT 2 & 3

Siemens

C++/C#/Python

Visual Studio

SQL

FactoryTalk View Studio SE/ME

AutoCAD

SolidWorks Electrical

Job description

Design, program, and launch the systems global brands rely on

You’ll be the Controls Engineer turning complex automation ideas into production-ready reality for major consumer products manufacturers.

From PLC code to HMI screens to panel layouts, you own the full controls package that makes custom machinery think, move, and respond.

You’ll work across multiple platforms, devices, and networks, integrating robots, motion, vision, and safety into one seamless system.

If you love getting deep into code, schematics, and commissioning to see machines come alive, this is your lane.

If you’ve built and commissioned industrial automation systems end-to-end, we want to talk to you.

What You'll Work On

You’ll be hands-on with complete automated processing systems for high-end manufacturing environments:

• PLC-based control systems across multiple platforms
• Industrial HMI/OIT and operator interface panels
• Motion control, servos, and robotics integration
• Sensors, pneumatics, lasers, printers, and scanners
• Electrical control panels, power, logic, and safety circuits
• Networked systems, databases, and industrial PCs
• System commissioning, startup, and field troubleshooting
• UL/NEC-compliant field wiring and panel wiring

You’ll be working with tools and technologies like Rockwell/AB CompactLogix and ControlLogix, Studio 5000, RSLogix 500, Beckhoff TwinCAT 2 & 3, Siemens, C++/C#/Python, Visual Studio, SQL, FactoryTalk View Studio (SE/ME), Windows CE, Wonderware, InduSoft, AutoCAD, and SolidWorks Electrical.

This is where deep PLC programming meets real-world machinery, every single day.

What You'll Be Doing

• Programming PLC-based systems across multiple platforms
• Developing controls software in structured text and ladder logic for industrial automation
• Creating and configuring HMI/OIT panels and operator interfaces
• Designing industrial HMI screens using FactoryTalk View Studio (SE and ME)
• Integrating hardware devices and I/O systems including sensors, actuators, pneumatics, servos, motion controls, robotics, lasers, printers, and scanners
• Designing electrical control systems including schematics, pneumatic diagrams, enclosure and panel layouts, and safety circuits
• Using AutoCAD and SolidWorks Electrical for controls and panel design
• Providing startup support and system commissioning at customer sites
• Troubleshooting control systems and resolving automation issues
• Assisting with technical writing for scopes of work, operating manuals, and user guides
• Field wiring, panel wiring, and conduit installation to UL/NEC standards
• Collaborating with a cross-functional team and communicating clearly with coworkers and management

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Automation Controls/Electronics Engineering, or 5+ years in an industrial automation environment, or a 2-year technical degree with 10+ years’ experience
• Hands-on PLC programming experience in structured text and ladder logic
• Background designing software controls for diverse industrial automated systems
• Experience interfacing, communicating with, and troubleshooting automated machinery
• Knowledge of AC/DC systems, VFDs, and motors
• Ability to design and interpret electrical and pneumatic schematics and panel layouts
• Comfort working with industrial networking concepts
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong interpersonal skills and a confident, team-oriented mindset

The Experience That Will Really Get Our Attention

You’ve taken multiple automation projects from blank screen to commissioned system—writing PLC code, building HMIs, designing panels, and supporting startup in fast-paced industrial environments. When a line is down or a new feature is needed, you know how to dive into logic, wiring, and devices to make it work.

You move comfortably between Rockwell, Beckhoff, and Siemens ecosystems, and you’re not afraid to touch C++, C#, Python, databases, or networking when the project calls for it.

Why This Opportunity?

You’ll engineer automation systems used by top consumer product companies—your work will be on the critical path of real, high-volume production.

This isn’t a narrow maintenance role; you’ll touch design, programming, integration, wiring, and commissioning, building a deep, versatile controls toolbox.

You’ll also step into a full-time role with a strong benefits package including health, dental, vision, company-paid life and long-term disability, short-term disability, 401(k) with matching, profit sharing, PTO, supplemental coverages, and an employee assistance program.

You get to build serious automation while being part of a fun, vibrant, team-driven culture.

This is a full-time position.