Controls Engineering Manager

PAR Systems; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) & matching

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Holidays & Parental Leave

Job summary

PAR Systems, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is seeking a Controls Engineering Manager to lead a software-centric engineering team. This position involves managing complex automation programs and fostering an AI-enabled engineering mindset.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in software and control systems for industrial automation, with experience using AI development tools.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of our controls and automation software organization.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience developing software and control systems for industrial automation equipment.
• 3+ years of technical leadership or engineering management experience.
• Ability to lead change management and drive adoption of modern engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead a software-centric controls engineering team through a transformative period.
• Manage execution across complex automation programs.
• Guide the team in adopting an AI-enabled engineering mindset.

Skills

Software development

Control systems architecture

AI development tools

Motion control

Engineering management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

GitHub Copilot

Claude Code

ChatGPT

Siemens and Rockwell Automation

Job description

Great engineering leaders can move parts and people. PAR Systems, a world leader in engineering intelligent solutions is growing its PAR Automation business. Our focus on accuracy, quality, and resourcefulness extends beyond our products, as we seek diverse, dynamic, and dedicated people for our teams.

We are seeking a Controls Engineering Manager to lead a software-centric controls engineering team through a transformative period of growth, innovation, and modernization. This leader will be responsible not only for managing execution across complex automation programs, but also for helping the team adopt an AI-enabled engineering mindset.

The ideal candidate is a technically grounded engineering leader with experience developing software and control systems for advanced automation equipment, as well as hands‑on experience using AI development tools to accelerate engineering productivity. This role will help define how PAR Systems responsibly uses AI tools, such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Cursor, and related technologies, to improve software delivery speed while maintaining quality, traceability, safety, cybersecurity, and control over production code.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our controls and automation software organization by building strong teams, modernizing development practices, and helping define an AI-assisted development lifecycle for industrial automation.

Success Criteria

In this highly visible role, your career launch‑pad is ready for takeoff! Your mission critical role will set technical requirements and direction for new and existing first‑of‑a‑kind solutions alongside our Chief Engineers, project management, sales, and estimating teams.

You will lead a team responsible for designing and implementing software and control systems that power complex, custom automation equipment deployed worldwide. Beyond the day‑to‑day management of the team, this role drives planning and execution of PAR Systems' mission, vision and strategy as we grow.

A key measure of success will be your ability to help the team evolve from traditional software development practices toward a disciplined, AI-enabled development model. You will guide the organization in determining where AI tools can safely and effectively accelerate engineering workflows, including requirements analysis, code generation, test development, documentation, debugging, reviews, and knowledge capture.

At the same time, you will ensure the team maintains strong engineering rigor. AI‑assisted development must remain grounded in sound architecture, human accountability, code review, verification, validation, cybersecurity awareness, and configuration control.

Your ability to manage engineer assignments, optimize personnel utilization, and improve internal capabilities will support continuous improvement across execution, quality, and technical depth.

This role is ideal for a leader who has progressed from hands‑on software or controls development into engineering leadership and is passionate about building high‑performing teams, architecting robust control systems, and delivering innovative, production‑ready automation solutions.

Technical Scope and Environment

• Multi‑axis motion control and coordinated kinematics
• Industrial robotics and CNC systems
• PLC‑based and PC‑based machine control architectures
• Custom HMI and supervisory control systems
• Real‑time control, safety systems, and distributed architectures

Common Technologies

• CNC and PLC platforms such as Siemens and Rockwell Automation
• IEC 61131‑3 languages (Structured Text, Ladder, Function Block)
• Industrial communication protocols (Profibus, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT)
• PC‑based control and embedded software systems
• Motion control, robotics, and kinematic systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Software, or related field).
• 8+ years of experience developing software and control systems for industrial automation equipment.
• 3+ years of technical leadership or engineering management experience.
• Strong background in control systems architecture, motion control, and automation software development.
• Experience using AI‑assisted software development tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Cursor, or similar technologies.
• Ability to lead change management and drive adoption of modern engineering practices.
• Strong organizational and communications skills.
• History of producing strong financial and technical results in a team‑based environment
• US Person

Benefits

• Global team recognized for their passion of inventing
• First‑of‑a‑kind product culture and project exposure
• Training and development from industry‑leading experts
• Cutting edge benefit programs that include 401(k) & matching; Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance; Disability & Life Insurance; PTO, Paid Holidays, & Parental Leave for both Parents; Tuition Reimbursement

PAR Systems is an equal opportunity employer and we value individuals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or any other status protected by applicable law. We use AI to assist with sorting applications, but real humans do all the evaluating and deciding. If selected for an interview, please advise our Human Resources department if you require accommodation during the interview or assessment process and we will support your accessibility needs. We offer market competitive pay and benefits based upon the candidate’s skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Our starting rate of pay for this salaried position is targeted at $130,000‑150,000 annually and is bonus eligible.