Hardware Engineering Manager

Knobelsdorff; Eagan (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) match

Paid time off

Education reimbursement

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Job summary

Knobelsdorff is seeking a Hardware Engineering Manager to lead the Hardware Engineering team and drive excellence in automation projects. You will oversee resource planning, establish engineering processes, and support panel manufacturing operations to ensure on-time, on-budget project outcomes.

The role emphasizes developing people, standardizing practices, and delivering high-quality engineering solutions while upholding safety and performance commitments.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in industrial automation hardware engineering.
• 3+ years in engineering leadership or people management.
• Experience designing industrial control panels and automation systems.
• Proficiency with EPLAN Electric P8.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or similar software.
• Strong PLC, networking, instrumentation, VFDs, and safety systems knowledge.
• Experience supporting panel fabrication and manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with UL508A and control panel design practices.
• Experience developing electrical schematics, layouts, BOMs.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Hardware Engineering team through coaching, performance management, and career development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Manage hardware engineering resource planning and workload balancing across active projects.
• Partner with Project Managers to ensure engineering deliverables align with project schedules and customer expectations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance engineering quality, efficiency, and consistency.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, templates, libraries, and best practices.
• Identify and implement opportunities to automate repetitive engineering tasks and improve productivity.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to quality, schedule performance, and engineering efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Panel Shop to improve manufacturability, drawing quality, BOM accuracy, and production efficiency.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and 5S initiatives through improved engineering processes and standards.
• Review and approve hardware designs to ensure quality, compliance, and consistency.
• Provide technical leadership for industrial control systems, including PLCs, control panels, instrumentation, networking, and safety systems.
• Support project teams with technical problem-solving during execution and commissioning activities.
• Monitor engineering effort against project budgets and proactively address risks, constraints, and variances.
• Stay current with evolving automation technologies, engineering tools, and industry best practices.

Skills

Industrial automation

Leadership

Hardware engineering

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

EPLAN Electric P8

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Working at Knobelsdorff

Along with building state-of-the-art projects, we build meaningful careers, lasting opportunities, and teams of dedicated individuals who truly own their work. As a leading turnkey specialty contractor specializing in Automation, Electric, Energy, and Power Services, our team tackles challenging, cutting-edge projects that provide opportunities to build new skills, confidence, and gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of different industries. We tackle industrial electrical installations, advanced automation systems, and renewable energy solutions.

Since our founding as a family-owned company in 1988, we've grown while staying true to our core value. Starting your career with Knobelsdorff (KE) means joining a culture that values your contributions, moves quickly, takes calculated risks, and celebrates team members who step up and own their work.

If you're ready to join a team where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your impact is celebrated, KE is the place for you.

Job Description

Job Purpose

The Hardware Engineering Manager supports KE Automation by leading and developing our Hardware Engineering team while driving excellence in project execution across industrial automation projects. You'll be responsible for managing engineering resources, establishing and improving engineering processes, supporting panel manufacturing operations, and ensuring hardware engineering deliverables contribute to successful project outcomes.

Success in this role means building a high-performing team, delivering quality engineering solutions on schedule and within budget, and creating standardized processes that improve efficiency across the organization, all while upholding KE's commitment to Safety, People, Passion, and Performance. If you're someone who takes pride in developing people, improving systems, and driving accountability, this position is built for you.

What You'll Do

Your day-to-day responsibilities may include:

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Hardware Engineering team through coaching, performance management, and career development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Manage hardware engineering resource planning and workload balancing across active projects.
• Partner with Project Managers to ensure engineering deliverables align with project schedules and customer expectations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance engineering quality, efficiency, and consistency.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, templates, libraries, and best practices.
• Identify and implement opportunities to automate repetitive engineering tasks and improve productivity.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to quality, schedule performance, and engineering efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Panel Shop to improve manufacturability, drawing quality, BOM accuracy, and production efficiency.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and 5S initiatives through improved engineering processes and standards.
• Review and approve hardware designs to ensure quality, compliance, and consistency.
• Provide technical leadership for industrial control systems, including PLCs, control panels, instrumentation, networking, and safety systems.
• Support project teams with technical problem-solving during execution and commissioning activities.
• Monitor engineering effort against project budgets and proactively address risks, constraints, and variances.
• Stay current with evolving automation technologies, engineering tools, and industry best practices.

What You Bring

You're someone who shows up ready to work hard, lead by example, and contribute to a team that takes pride in doing things right. Successful candidates typically bring:

• 8+ years of industrial automation hardware engineering experience.
• 3+ years of engineering leadership or people management experience.
• Strong experience designing industrial control panels and automation systems.
• Proficiency with EPLAN Electric P8.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or similar electrical design software.
• Strong understanding of PLC-based control systems, industrial networking, instrumentation, VFDs, and safety systems.
• Experience supporting panel fabrication and manufacturing operations.
• Working knowledge of UL508A, industrial electrical standards, and control panel design practices.
• Experience developing electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and bills of material.
• Strong organizational, resource planning, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• A data-driven approach to decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
• Strong financial awareness with the ability to balance quality, schedule, and cost objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience leading engineering standardization and process improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting international or multi-site automation projects.

Pay Range

We believe in paying for the value you bring to the team, and we aim to be competitive in every market we hire in.

$120,000- $150,000

Total Rewards Statement

As a full-time employee at KE, you'll have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and future.

• 100% employer-paid health and dental coverage for employees
• HSA contributions to support your medical expenses
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• 401(k) with competitive company match
• Performance-based incentives
• Paid weekly with competitive wages
• PTO, six paid holidays, and education reimbursement
• Exclusive employee discounts through Working Advantage

We believe your work should be rewarded with more than just a paycheck. At KE, we invest in your total wellbeing.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, and stoop for extended periods
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Ability to work in close proximity to team members in a production environment

Accessibility: If you need accommodations as part of the employment process, please contact KE Human Resources at [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO)

Knobelsdorff (KE) is an EEO to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

• EEO is the Law (English/Spanish)

KE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, please review the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters.

If you need accommodation during the hiring process, let us know and we’ll work with you.