Controls Engineer II — Remote/Hybrid with Field Deployment

PTS Advance; Dayton (MN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

PTS Advance in Dayton, MN is seeking a Controls Engineer II to design, program, and integrate PLC and HMI-based control systems across customer projects.

The role requires a strong hands-on background, travel 50–75% (60% typical during ramp-up) and collaboration with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and field-service teams through FAT, startup, commissioning, and site support. Hybrid/remote-friendly, direct hire, with a $120,000–$140,000 salary range.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on controls engineering, automation, or industrial programming experience.
• Independently develop PLC programs from scratch.
• Strong hands-on HMI programming and configuration experience.
• Experience commissioning and troubleshooting industrial control systems.
• Working knowledge of Modbus and Ethernet networks.
• Experience integrating controls with third-party equipment and customer systems.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and controls documentation.
• Strong customer-facing communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, custom-engineered environment.
• Willingness to travel during ramp-up period.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, develop, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI-based control systems.
• Develop PLC programs from the ground up based on customer specifications and system requirements.
• Support the complete controls lifecycle from requirements and controls development through FAT, startup, commissioning, and post-installation troubleshooting.
• Review customer specifications, control narratives, electrical schematics, and technical documentation.
• Integrate controls with customer systems, third-party equipment, and multiple vendor platforms.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communications, including Modbus and Ethernet-based networks.
• Partner with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and field service teams to resolve design and implementation challenges.
• Provide hands-on controls support during manufacturing, testing, installation, and commissioning.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for customers throughout project execution.
• Identify opportunities to improve controls standards, programming practices, documentation, and engineering processes.
• Develop technical documentation, training materials, procedures, and work instructions.
• Travel to company and customer facilities for project execution, commissioning, troubleshooting, and technical support.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Industrial automation

Troubleshooting

Electrical schematics

Customer-facing communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Job description

PTS Advance in Dayton, MN is seeking a Controls Engineer II to design, program, and integrate PLC and HMI-based control systems across customer projects.

The role requires a strong hands-on background, travel 50–75% (60% typical during ramp-up) and collaboration with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and field-service teams through FAT, startup, commissioning, and site support. Hybrid/remote-friendly, direct hire, with a $120,000–$140,000 salary range.