Controls Engineer

True North Consultants, Inc.; Grand Forks (ND); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

True North Consultants, Inc. is seeking a skilled Controls Engineer to join our Grand Forks, ND team.

You will serve as the on-site SME for PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and plant-wide control systems, steering high-speed production improvements and reliability strategies. Join a collaborative group of technicians, supervisors, and engineers to diagnose complex issues, design innovative solutions, and elevate uptime across multiple production lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline; BSEE preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, test, and integrate advanced control modifications for high-speed production lines.
• Lead automation projects and provide strategic recommendations for future installations.
• Perform proactive maintenance to maximize uptime and reliability of control systems.
• Troubleshoot electrical and control systems across material transfer applications.
• Diagnose and resolve complex automation and instrumentation issues with minimal documentation.

Skills

Electrical troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (BSEE preferred)

10+ years related experience in lieu of degree

5+ years related experience with tech degree/certification

Tools

Rockwell Studio 5000

RSLogix 5000/500

FactoryTalk View Studio

Allen-Bradley PLCs

VFDs

HMIs

SCADA systems

Job description

Controls Engineer

Are you ready to drive the future of automation? As a Controls Engineer, you will step into a vital, forward-thinking role as our resident subject matter expert in PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and advanced plant operating systems. Working alongside a collaborative, diverse team of technicians, supervisors, and managers, you will be the go‑to problem solver tackling high‑impact automation challenges. We are looking for a data‑driven self‑starter who brings fresh ideas to the table, champions continuous improvement, and designs the cutting‑edge reliability strategies that keep our operations running at peak efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Optimize Next‑Gen Production: Partner with the engineering team to design, test, and seamlessly integrate advanced modifications for high‑speed processing production lines.
• Drive Automation Innovation: Spearhead the implementation, design, and strategic recommendations for current and future high‑speed automation projects.
• Ensure Peak System Performance: Conduct proactive periodic maintenance to maximize system uptime and reliability.
• Master Complex Troubleshooting: Rapidly diagnose and resolve advanced automation, instrumentation, and robotic system challenges across all material transfer applications.
• Solve Critical Problems Fast: Leverage deep technical expertise to independently troubleshoot complex electrical and control systems, even when documentation or data is minimal.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Education & Experience: A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related discipline (BSEE preferred). We also highly value practical expertise and will welcome:
  • 10+ years of related experience in lieu of a degree, OR
  • 5+ years of related experience combined with a technical degree or certification.
• Automation Software Expertise: Advanced proficiency with the Rockwell Software suite, including Studio 5000, RSLogix 5000/500, and FactoryTalk View Studio.
• Hardware Mastery: Direct, hands‑on experience designing and laying out control panels for new production equipment, alongside extensive knowledge of Allen‑Bradley PLCs, VFDs, and HMIs.
• Advanced Diagnostics: Highly skilled in utilizing specialized electrical troubleshooting tools, including multimeters, loop simulators, and meggers.
• System‑Level Vision: Proven experience working with SCADA systems to monitor and optimize plant‑wide operations.