Controls Engineer

Tolomatic, Inc.; Hamel (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company contribution

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Tolomatic, Inc. is seeking a Controls Engineer to apply automation and motion control engineering to Tolomatic’s integrated motor products and custom motion systems, supporting both industrial and defense programs.

The role spans controls software development and controls integration across PLCs, servo and stepper motor drives, feedback systems, robots, HMIs, cabling, and safety, along with the industrial communication protocols that connect them.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• At least two years of experience with automation and control system components (PLCs, servo/stepper motors, drives, robots, HMIs, sensors).
• Experience with Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Elmo, Copley, Kollmorgen, etc.
• Experience with PLCs from Rockwell, Siemens, or B&R.
• Experience with robot controls from Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, or similar manufacturers.
• Working knowledge of IT & software basics; ability to communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and documentation of Tolomatic’s integrated motor products and motion systems related to controls integration, motor, feedback, cabling, and safety.
• Develop controls software, including motion libraries for CANopen and other protocols; integrate sensors, servo drives, indicators; write PLC logic.
• Review system and controls architecture to ensure interface compatibility across subsystems.
• Execute work defined in SOWs and provide input to subcontractors.
• Develop test procedures and conduct product qualification testing to verify performance.
• Develop electrical schematics and support wiring, debugging, and troubleshooting of electrical systems.
• Design and document electrical and mechanical control systems for automation/test equipment and program controllers/drives.
• Provide technical support and training to customers, distributors, and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Automation & controls

PLCs & servo motors

Industrial protocols

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics/CS/EE/ME

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Siemens PLCs

B&R

Fanuc/ABB/KUKA controls

Job description

Work Arrangement

In-Office, Hamel, MN

Office-based position with flexibility for occasional remote work once established in the role.

Role Overview

The Controls Engineer applies automation and motion control engineering to Tolomatic’s integrated motor products and custom motion systems, supporting both industrial and defense programs. The role spans controls software development and controls integration across PLCs, servo and stepper motor drives, feedback systems, robots, HMIs, cabling, and safety, along with the industrial communication protocols that connect them, including CANopen, EtherCAT, and EtherNet/IP. Work is delivered within established time, cost, quality, and performance objectives in a team-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design and documentation of Tolomatic’s integrated motor products and motion systems as it relates to controls integration, motor, feedback, cabling, and safety.
• Develop controls software, including motion libraries for CANopen and other communication protocols, integration of components such as sensors, servo drives, and indicators, and the PLC logic required to operate the system as intended.
• Review system and controls architecture during product and motion system development, providing input on component selection and interface compatibility to support reliable integration across subsystems.
• Execute assigned technical work defined in customer and project statements of work (SOW), and provide input to SOWs for subcontractors performing hardware design and build work.
• Provide input on the development of test procedures, and conduct and document testing, including product qualification testing, to verify system and product performance.
• Develop electrical schematics and support the wiring, debugging, and troubleshooting of electrical systems.
• Design, build, and document mechanical and electrical control systems for automation and motion control test equipment, and program the controllers and drives for that equipment.
• Provide technical support and training to customers, distributors, sales, and manufacturing personnel on control system setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• At least two years of experience with automation and control system components, including PLCs, servo and stepper motors and drives, robots, HMIs, industrial communication protocols, sensors, and vision systems.
• Experience with servo systems from manufacturers such as Rockwell Automation, Nidec Control Techniques, Elmo, Copley, Siemens, and Kollmorgen.
• Experience with PLCs from Rockwell Automation, Siemens, or B&R.
• Experience with robot controls from Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, or similar manufacturers.
• Experience developing electrical schematics and wiring and debugging electrical systems.
• Working knowledge of Dynamic HTML, XML, CSS, and JavaScript is desired, along with the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a wide variety of company personnel and others.
• This position requires access to ITAR-controlled technical data. Applicants must be able to lawfully access such data under U.S. export control laws.

Benefits & Well-Being

Good work deserves real support. Our benefits are built to take care of you and your family, on the job and off.

Health & Wellness

• Medical & dental coverage for you and your family.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability protection.

Financial Well-Being

• 401(k) with company contribution.
• Profit sharing: when Tolomatic does well, you share in it.
• Tuition reimbursement toward degrees and certifications.

Work & Life

• Paid time off that grows with your tenure.
• Flexible scheduling

Beyond the Job

• We give back: paid volunteer time and company-sponsored opportunities let our team support the causes they care about, on the clock.
• We invest in the next generation: our annual Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Day brings employees' children on-site to see what their parents build
• We build responsibly: sustainability is part of how we operate. We plant trees for every actuator sold, and we recycle tens of thousands of pounds of aluminum, steel, and cardboard each year.
• We make room for connection: company gatherings and other activities to bring the team together beyond day-to-day work.

Why Join Tolomatic?

• Make a Real Impact: You won't be a cog in the machine here. With a small, agile team, your work will be seen, valued, and have a direct impact on the business.
• Work With Purpose: Our products help manufacturers build smarter, safer, and more sustainable operations, from EVs to medical devices to food production.
• Collaborative Culture: We believe in open communication, mutual respect, and working together across departments to get things done.
• Supportive Environment: Whether it's learning a new tool or exploring a fresh idea, we encourage curiosity and continuous growth.
• Stability and Innovation: We've been around for decades, but we're always pushing forward, with digital at the center of how we evolve.
• Grow Your Career: A smaller company does not mean a smaller career. Tolomatic has a long history of growing people from within, promoting into new roles, funding degrees and certifications, and giving curious people room to take on more.

Compensation

$80,000 - $110,000/annual

About Tolomatic

We're the Trusted Partner When Motion Matters. Tolomatic designs and manufactures premium electro-mechanical actuation solutions trusted in both industrial and defense applications. Our actuators are at the heart of the automation revolution, advancing electric vehicle manufacturing, optimizing food production, enhancing patient outcomes, and more. We're a tight-knit team that takes pride in building world‑class automation equipment and lasting relationships with our customers. For over 70 years, Tolomatic has been a family-owned company and has become an innovative leader in pneumatic and motion control products with a global reach. Tolomatic is a leading supplier of electrical linear actuators, electric linear motion control, and pneumatic actuators and cylinders, and has earned its industry‑wide reputation for designing and manufacturing highly durable and reliable products for a variety of industries including packaging, material handling, medical, food processing, automotive, semiconductor, and general automation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to the individual's race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, status as a military veteran or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.