Controls Engineer

General Mills, Inc; Fridley (MN); On-site; USD 71,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

General Mills in Fridley, MN is seeking a Controls Engineer to provide technical leadership for the site's electrical, instrumentation, and control systems. This role focuses on day‑to‑day plant support to improve safety, reliability, quality, and overall operational performance.

You will collaborate with operations, maintenance, electricians, technicians, engineers, and contractors to troubleshoot issues, update standards, review designs, and support capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field, with applicable experience.
• 2+ years of manufacturing/controls experience in industrial environment.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical/control schematics and understand industrial electrical systems.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with troubleshooting ability.
• Experience training and coaching others with different experience levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide tactical support to reduce issues affecting equipment reliability, plant performance, product quality, and safety.
• Troubleshoot plant electrical, instrumentation, PLC, HMI, VFD, and network issues in support of operations and maintenance.
• Support strategic improvement efforts by applying controls and automation tech to remove losses in manufacturing.
• Support plant electrical safety efforts, including inspections, maintenance activities, safe work practices, and compliance initiatives.
• Maintain and improve site electrical and controls architecture (PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servers, etc.).
• Support plant capital projects as the site electrical and controls resource, with input on scope, design review, startup, and standards compliance.
• Build strong working relationships with operations, maintenance, leadership, electricians, contractors, integrators, vendors, and corporate engineering resources.
• Coach and develop electricians, technicians, mechanics, and other plant personnel to strengthen the site's technical capability.
• Support management of electrical and controls spare parts and storeroom inventory.

Skills

Electrical schematics

Troubleshooting

Industrial controls

Team coaching

Organization & planning

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix

PanelView

RSLinx

AVEVA / Wonderware (InTouch, Historian, System Platform, InSql, Tag Server, DAS)

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best - bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what's next.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Controls Engineer provides technical leadership for the Fridley manufacturing site's electrical, instrumentation, and control systems. This role is focused on day-to-day plant support to improve safety, reliability, quality, and operational performance across the facility.

This position requires close partnership with operations, maintenance, electricians, technicians, engineers, contractors, and corporate resources. The role will support troubleshooting, standards compliance, system improvements, controls architecture, and development of site technical capability.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide tactical support to reduce issues affecting equipment reliability, plant performance, product quality, and safety
• Troubleshoot plant electrical, instrumentation, PLC, HMI, VFD, and network-related issues in support of operations and maintenance
• Support strategic improvement efforts by applying controls and automation technology to remove losses in the manufacturing process
• Support plant electrical safety efforts, including inspections, maintenance activities, safe work practices, and compliance initiatives
• Maintain and improve site electrical and controls architecture, including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servers, and related infrastructure
• Support plant capital projects as the site electrical and controls resource as needed, with emphasis on scope input, design review, startup support, and standards compliance
• Build strong working relationships with operations, maintenance, leadership, electricians, contractors, integrators, vendors, and corporate engineering resources
• Coach and develop electricians, technicians, mechanics, and other plant personnel to strengthen the site's technical capability
• Support management of electrical and controls spare parts and storeroom inventory

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related field with applicable experience, or equivalent relevant work experience
• 2+ years of related manufacturing, controls, electrical, instrumentation, or automation experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Ability to read and interpret electrical and control schematics with basic working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, motor controls, instrumentation, and control systems
• Strong organizational and planning skills with a strong ability to troubleshoot and problem solve
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and support others with different experience levels
• Ability to work in a plant environment and support off-shift or weekend needs as required for a 24-hour operation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience troubleshooting industrial electrical, instrumentation, and control systems
• Experience with Allen-Bradley platforms, including ControlLogix, PanelView, CCW, and RSLinx
• Experience with Aveva or Wonderware platforms, including InTouch, Historian, System Platform, InSql, Tag Server, or DAS
• Understanding of industrial communication networks and topologies, including Ethernet and legacy plant-floor communication systems
• Understanding of practical electrical circuits, motor control circuits, grounding systems, and power distribution in an industrial setting
• Familiarity with NEC, NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, and related electrical safety and equipment standards
• Experience working with contractors, system integrators, and vendors in a plant environment
• Experience with process manufacturing, packaging systems, or food manufacturing operations
• Minnesota Master A Electrical License, electrical qualification, or similar demonstrated electrical background

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• International relocation or international remote working arrangements outside of the United States will not be considered.
• Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.

SALARY RANGE

The salary range for this position is:

$71,300 - $107,000 Annual

At General Mills we strive for each employee's pay at any point in their career to reflect their experiences performance and skills for their current role. The salary range for this role represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, educations, skills, work experience, certifications, etc. As such pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support and perks. Benefits may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors. You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive program. An incentive award, if any, depends on various factors, including, individual and organizational performance.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet a minimum 18-year age qualification.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)

General Mills is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or familial status, status regarding public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST

If you need to request an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please fill out our online accommodation request form by following this link: Accommodation Request.