Precision Controls Engineer - MT*

3M; Maplewood (MN); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

3M in Maplewood, MN is seeking a Precision Controls Engineer to develop, deploy, and support ultra-precision control systems for manufacturing equipment.

The role requires a masterful grasp of motion control, CNC/servo systems, and embedded software, with travel up to 35% and potential relocation. Four days on-site at the Maplewood center are expected, with U.S. export compliance considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or a Physical Science (completed and verified prior to start)
• Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (preferred)
• Five years of experience designing and/or deploying advanced motion control systems

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced, production-ready control solutions for ultra-precision manufacturing systems.
• Identify and mitigate positioning errors to meet precision requirements.
• Manage requirements, provide cost and schedule estimates, and ensure delivery of capital equipment projects.

Skills

Motion control concepts

CNC/servo control

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Physical Science

Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

ePlan

AutoCAD Electrical

TwinCAT

LabVIEW

DeltaTau

Newport

PI (Physik Instrumente)

Aerotech

Job description

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As a Precision Controls Engineer, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Developing, deploying, and supporting advanced, production-ready control solutions for ultra-precision manufacturing systems where performance is measured in nanometers.


• Employing creativity and engineering rigor to identify, account for, and mitigate sources of positioning error to ensure precision machines meet the application requirements.


• Managing requirements, providing cost and schedule estimates, and applying sound project management practices to guarantee successful delivery of capital equipment projects.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or a Physical Science (completed and verified prior to start)

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Possess a Master’s degree or higher in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution


• Five years of experience designing and/or deploying advanced motion control systems for manufacturing applications


• Experience with precision engineering concepts such as error budgeting, ultra-precision metrology, error compensation


• Familiarity with linear motors, high-resolution encoders, ultra-low friction bearing systems, high- speed servo control


• Significant experience with CNC or advanced motion control systems such as DeltaTau, Newport, Physik Instrumente (PI), Polaris, Aerotech


• Electrical system design & documentation using electrical drawing software (ePlan, AutoCAD Electrical)


• Embedded software architecture and development (e.g. C/C++, .NET C#, Structured Text, TwinCAT, Labview)

Work location:

• Work location: This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN.

Travel: May include up to 35% domestic/international

Relocation: May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Responsibilities of this position may include direct and/or indirect physical or logical access to information, systems, technologies subjected to the regulations/compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws.

U.S. Export Control laws and U.S. Government Department of Defense contracts and sub-contracts impose certain restrictions on companies and their ability to share export-controlled and other technology and services with certain "non-U.S. persons" (persons who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., refugees, "Temporary Residents" (granted Amnesty or Special Agricultural Worker provisions), or persons granted asylum.

To comply with these laws, 3M must help assess candidates' U.S. person status.

The questions asked in this application are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this particular position.

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $98,964 - $120,957, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 09/08/2026 To 10/08/2026 Or until filled

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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