Embedded Controls Engineer

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Embedded Controls Engineer in Saint Peter, MN to design, validate electro-hydraulic control systems and embedded software for off-highway equipment. You will own the system architecture from concept to production release and collaborate with mechanical, hydraulic, manufacturing, procurement and service teams.

The role requires expertise in CAN/J1939, Danfoss PLUS+1, CODESYS, and NX/Teamcenter for 3D integration, with responsibilities spanning design, validation, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or 2-year technical degree with extensive experience in off-highway product development and embedded controls.
• Hands-on experience with Danfoss PLUS+1 and/or CODESYS, and embedded C/C++ for control systems.
• Knowledge of SAE J1939/CAN bus and 3D integration tools (NX/Teamcenter).
• Experience wiring harnesses and using harness design tools (IGE-XAO, AutoCAD).
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and system-level troubleshooting abilities.

Responsibilities

• Define and document machine-level electrical/electro-hydraulic architecture and CAN maps.
• Develop embedded software or coordinate with suppliers to implement requirements.
• Design CAN networks between ECUs, engines, telematics, and displays.
• Integrate controls and harnesses in 3D models and manage BOMs and releases.
• Lead wiring harness production readiness and collaborate with suppliers.
• Participate in testing, debugging, and field issue resolution; write validation plans.
• Produce system requirements, design docs, and compliance files (SAE J1939, ISO machinery, EPA).

Skills

Embedded controls design

CAN/J1939 networking

Electrical/electro-hydraulic systems

CODESYS

Danfoss PLUS+1

3D integration

Teamcenter

CAN bus troubleshooting

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Mechatronics Engineering

2-year engineering/technical degree with 10+ years experience

Tools

Danfoss PLUS+1

CODESYS

Siemens NX

Siemens Teamcenter

IGE-XAO

AutoCAD

DraftSight

Job description

Job Title: Embedded Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Embedded Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, development, integration, and validation of electro-hydraulic control systems, machine electrical architectures, and embedded controls software for off-highway equipment. This role owns the complete system architecture from initial concept through production release and works closely with mechanical, hydraulic, manufacturing, procurement, and service teams to deliver robust, safe, and compliant machines.

Responsibilities

• Define and document machine-level electrical, electro-hydraulic, and control system architecture, including controller selection, I/O allocation, CAN network maps, and power distribution.
• Design and develop embedded control software or coordinate with external suppliers to implement software requirements using tools such as Danfoss PLUS+1, CODESYS (IEC 61131-3), embedded C, and C++ for machine control solutions.
• Design and configure CAN and SAE J1939 communication networks between ECUs, engines, transmissions, telematics systems, and operator displays.
• Integrate electrical controls, harnesses, and sensors into 3D machine models using software such as Siemens NX, while managing revisions, bills of materials, and release workflows in Siemens Teamcenter.
• Design production-ready wire harnesses using tools such as IGE-XAO and AutoCAD or DraftSight, including schematics, from-to lists, connector tables, and manufacturing drawings, and select appropriate wire gauges, connectors, seals, and terminations for off-highway environments.
• Collaborate with harness suppliers to address design considerations and ensure manufacturability and reliability of electrical systems.
• Lead troubleshooting activities on prototype machines and support training and issue resolution for production machines.
• Work with Engineering Technicians to develop and write detailed validation plans for electro-hydraulic and control systems.
• Support machine testing, customer visits, and warranty investigations, and analyze test and field data to identify root causes and propose design improvements and engineering change requests.
• Produce and maintain system requirements, design documentation, and technical files that support compliance with SAE J1939, ISO/CE Machinery Regulation, and EPA requirements.
• Manage multiple development projects concurrently, coordinating with external suppliers and internal business units to meet technical, cost, and schedule targets.
• Use Microsoft Office and standard engineering tools to document designs, track progress, and communicate effectively across departments.
• Continuously learn and adopt new development software and attend training as needed to maintain and improve technical competency.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Mechatronics Engineering with 5+ years of experience, OR a 2-year engineering or technical degree with 10+ years of experience, OR 10+ years of combined experience in off-highway product development, system design and architecture, embedded controls, electro-hydraulic systems, and harness design.
• Hands-on experience with Danfoss PLUS+1 and/or CODESYS, and working knowledge of embedded C and C++ for control system development.
• Working knowledge of SAE J1939 and CAN bus, including both physical and application layers.
• Experience with Siemens NX and Siemens Teamcenter for 3D integration, product lifecycle management, and release workflows.
• Proficiency with IGE-XAO or equivalent harness design tools for developing production-ready wiring harnesses.
• Proven ability to perform system-level troubleshooting on complex electro-hydraulic machines.
• Strong technical communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across mechanical, hydraulic, manufacturing, procurement, and service teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools for documentation, reporting, and communication.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in off-highway equipment product development and machine electrical architecture.
• Background in electro-hydraulic control systems and embedded controls for mobile machinery.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or DraftSight for electrical schematics and documentation.
• Experience coordinating with external software and harness suppliers to deliver integrated control solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple development projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality and safety standards.
• Comfort with analyzing test and field data to support continuous improvement and design optimization.
• Willingness to learn new development tools and participate in ongoing technical training.

Work Environment

This role focuses on off-highway equipment and involves a mix of office-based engineering work and hands-on engagement with prototype and production machines. You will use modern engineering tools such as Siemens NX and Teamcenter for 3D integration and product lifecycle management, IGE-XAO and CAD software for harness and schematic design, and platforms such as Danfoss PLUS+1 and CODESYS for embedded controls development. Work includes collaboration with cross-functional teams, external suppliers and engineering technicians, as well as occasional time in test areas or field environments to support machine testing, troubleshooting, and validation. Standard business productivity tools, including the Microsoft Office Suite, support daily communication, documentation, and project tracking.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Saint Peter, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $95000.00 - $115000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Saint Peter,MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.