Controls Engineer

Software Placement Group, SPG; Grand Forks (ND); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Software Placement Group (SPG) in Grand Forks, ND, seeks a skilled Controls Engineer to champion automation across high-speed production lines. You will work with engineering to design, test, and implement modifications, and lead automation projects to improve reliability and efficiency.

The role requires a bachelor's in engineering or equivalent experience, deep Rockwell PLC/SCADA knowledge, panel design, and strong troubleshooting skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or 10+ years of related experience in lieu of a degree, or 5+ years with a technical degree/certification
• Advanced proficiency with Rockwell Software suite (Studio 5000, RSLogix 5000/500, FactoryTalk View Studio)
• Experience designing and laying out control panels for new production equipment
• Extensive knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLCs, VFDs, and HMIs
• Skilled in electrical troubleshooting tools (multimeters, loop simulators, megger)
• Experience with SCADA to monitor and optimize plant-wide operations

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering to design, test, and integrate modifications for high-speed processing lines
• Lead implementation and strategic recommendations for current and future automation projects
• Conduct proactive maintenance to maximize system uptime and reliability
• Diagnose and resolve advanced automation, instrumentation, and robotics issues
• Troubleshoot complex electrical and control systems, even with limited documentation

Skills

Rockwell PLCs

Panel design

SCADA systems

Electrical troubleshooting

HMI operation

Industrial automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

10+ years experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Studio 5000

RSLogix 5000/500

FactoryTalk View Studio

Allen-Bradley PLCs

VFDs

HMIs

Job description

Location: Grand Forks, ND | Schedule: Full-time, on-site

Overview

A high-speed production facility is seeking a skilled Controls Engineer to serve as its resident expert in automation systems. This role sits within a collaborative team of technicians, supervisors, and managers, and is central to driving reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement across advanced plant operations.

What you'll do

• Partner with the engineering team to design, test, and integrate modifications for high-speed processing production lines
• Lead the implementation, design, and strategic recommendations for current and future automation projects
• Conduct proactive periodic maintenance to maximize system uptime and reliability
• Diagnose and resolve advanced automation, instrumentation, and robotic system issues across material transfer applications
• Independently troubleshoot complex electrical and control systems, even with limited documentation or data

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related discipline, or 10+ years of related experience in lieu of a degree, or 5+ years of related experience combined with a technical degree or certification
• Advanced proficiency with the Rockwell Software suite, including Studio 5000, RSLogix 5000/500, and FactoryTalk View Studio
• Hands-on experience designing and laying out control panels for new production equipment
• Extensive knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLCs, VFDs, and HMIs
• Skilled in using electrical troubleshooting tools such as multimeters, loop simulators, and meggers
• Proven experience working with SCADA systems to monitor and optimize plant-wide operations

Preferred qualifications

• BSEE preferred

Why this role

This position offers the opportunity to serve as a subject matter expert driving automation innovation and reliability strategies within a collaborative, forward-thinking engineering team.