Senior Automation Engineer - Industrial & Utilities

Excel Engineering, Inc.; Mounds View (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Growth & Development

Career advancement support

401(k) retirement plan

Comprehensive health coverage

Job summary

Excel Engineering, Inc. in Minnesota is seeking an experienced Industrial Control Systems/Automation Engineer to design, program PLCs/HMI, and lead projects from scope through completion.

The role requires a strong background in electrical design across multiple industries, burner management and combustion control experience, and a willingness to travel up to 25% for site work.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six (6) years’ experience as an industrial control system/automation engineer.
• Industrial electrical design experience in Consumer Goods, Renewable Energy; Gas Processing, Chemical, Power, Waste Management or Pharmaceutical.
• Burner Management Experience
• Combustion Control Experience
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering from an ABET accredited institution or equivalent experience is strongly preferred.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Responsibilities

• Creates all project documents according to internal processes to ensure that designs meet Client’s expectations.
• Creates PLC programs and HMI applications from User Requirements or Functional Specifications.
• Performs system validation according to scope documentation and project requirements.
• Work with Client to develop project scope and estimate; develop proposals and carry project through completion.
• Directs assigned team in the field and reports progress to project and engineering management.
• Design electrical schematic packages by laying out I/O, designing magnetic circuits, fusing, control panel layouts, BOMs, and cable layouts.
• Performs sizing calculations for power, heat dissipation, wire sizing, fusing, etc.
• Performs calculations for Control System network layout and traffic analysis.
• Leads large projects by defining and issuing work to assigned team members or runs multiple small projects with minimal direction.
• Specify and configure VFD and Servo drives for applications.
• Willingness to travel, up to 25%.

Skills

Industrial control systems

Automation engineering

Electrical design

VFD/Servo drives configuration

Travel willingness

Education

ABET engineering degree (Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical)

GPA 3.0 or higher

Job description

Description

At Excel Engineering, we are the power behind our clients’ processes.

We are a full-service engineering consulting firm specializing in electrical engineering, industrial automation, and power systems. For over 30 years, we’ve partnered with leading companies across industries to deliver solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and performance.

Our work spans sectors including life sciences, consumer goods, chemical, oil & gas, and utilities, giving our team the opportunity to work on complex, high-impact projects.

What sets us apart is our approach, we build long-term partnerships by understanding our clients’ operations and acting as an extension of their team. If you’re looking to grow your skills, take on meaningful challenges, and make a real impact, Excel Engineering offers the opportunity to do just that.

Primary Responsibilities

• Creates all project documents according to internal processes to ensure that designs meet Client’s expectations.
• Creates Programmable Logical Control (PLC) programs and HMI applications from User Requirements or Functional Specifications.
• Performs system validation according to scope documentation and project requirements.
• Work with Client to develop project scope and estimate. Develop proposals and carry project through completion.
• Directs assigned team in the field and assigns priorities consistent with project needs; reports progress to project and engineering management.
• Design electrical schematic packages by laying out I/O, designing magnetic circuits, fusing, control panel layouts, bills of material, and cable layouts.
• Performs the required sizing calculation for power, heat dissipation, wire sizing, fusing, etc.
• Performs the required calculations for Control System network layout and traffic analysis.
• Leads large projects by defining and issuing work to assigned team members or runs multiple small projects with minimal direction.
• Specify and configure VFD and Servo drives for applications.
• Willingness to travel, up to 25%

Requirements

Required

• Minimum of six (6), or more, years’ experience as an industrial control system/automation engineer.
• Industrial electrical design experience in the following industries: Consumer Goods, Renewable Energy; Gas Processing, Chemical, Power, Waste Management or Pharmaceutical.
• Burner Management Experience
• Combustion Control Experience

Education

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering from an ABET accredited institution or equivalent experience is strongly preferred.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 Scale.

Nice to Have

• NFPA 85
• PE or FE License

We offer…

• Growth & Development: Ongoing continuing education, hands-on training, and opportunities to expand your skills.
• Career Advancement Support: Assistance in earning professional certifications and pursuing further education.
• Retirement Benefits: 401(k) plan with employer matching.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Wellness Focus: Access to programs designed to support your overall well-being.
• Work–Life Balance: Paid time off and flexible work environment
• Flexibility & Trust: A flexible schedule and work environment built around mutual trust and accountability.
• Share the Talent, Share the Rewards: We value great people recommending great people, which is why our employee referral program is designed to reward you continuously

We offer a competitive salary and great benefits. At Excel Engineering, we’re proud of our positive, high-performing culture where teamwork, continuous improvement, and a service-oriented mindset help us do our best work every day. If you enjoy a fast-paced and rewarding environment, you’ll love being part of our team!

Excel Engineering, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected characteristic.

We value diverse perspectives and believe they strengthen our work, our teams, and the solutions we deliver to clients. We encourage candidates from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in engineering to apply. If you need accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact our Human Resources team at [e-mail].