Senior Controls Engineer

Lincoln Electric; Plymouth (MN); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincoln Electric in Plymouth, MN is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to design, implement, and commission PLC, HMI, motion control, and PC-based software for custom automated equipment.

You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams through concept, design, testing, installation, and customer startup, and travel approximately 30–50% for on-site projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 10+ years hands-on industry experience in electrical/automation
• 5+ years in industrial automation, controls engineering, or machine programming
• Experience programming PLCs and HMIs in manufacturing or machine-building environments
• Proficiency with major automation platforms and industrial communication networks

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement PLC control systems for custom automated machinery.
• Create and maintain PC-based control software and industrial automation applications.
• Develop intuitive HMI interfaces for operators and supervisors.
• Program and integrate motion control systems, servos, VFDs, robotics, and safety devices.
• Test, troubleshoot, and optimize machine performance during assembly and startup.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Support commissioning activities at customer sites and in-house facilities.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Troubleshooting

Travel readiness

Automation systems

Robotics integration

Motion control

Safety PLCs

Vision systems

SQL

C#

VB.NET

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field or 10+ years experience

Tools

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

FactoryTalk

EtherNet/IP

Profinet

Modbus

Job description

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Lincoln Electric is a high-performance industrial machinery and technology leader who helps customers manufacture and maintain vital equipment and infrastructure. Lincoln Electric’s innovative solutions enable higher quality and productivity across a variety of processes including welding, cutting, brazing, machining, process automation, and field repair. The Company leverages proprietary technologies and expertise in materials science, power electronics, automation, and intelligent software to help customers build better and achieve resilience in their operations. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln Electric is the essential ‘Linc’ that keeps the economy running. The Company operates 71 manufacturing and automation facilities across 20 countries and serves customers in over 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit the Company’s website at https://www.lincolnelectric.com .

Location: Plymouth - 46247
Employment Status: Salary Full-Time
Function: Engineering
Pay Range: ($115,000 - $140,000)
Target Bonus: 8%
Req ID:30080

Position Summary

Join a growing engineering team that designs and builds custom automated manufacturing equipment for customers across a variety of industries. As a Senior Controls Engineer, you will play a key role in bringing complex machines to life through PLC, HMI, motion control, and PC-based programming. This is a hands-on engineering position where you'll be involved throughout the entire machine lifecycle, from concept and design through testing, installation, and customer startup. You'll collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams while working with industry-leading automation technologies.

If you enjoy solving challenging problems, working on unique custom equipment, and seeing your designs operate in the real world, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement PLC control systems for custom automated machinery.
• Create and maintain PC-based control software and industrial automation applications.
• Develop intuitive HMI and operator interface solutions.
• Program and integrate motion control systems, servos, VFDs, robotics, and machine safety devices.
• Test, troubleshoot, and optimize machine performance during assembly and startup.
• Conduct system validation, debugging, and performance improvements.
• Support machine commissioning activities both in-house and at customer sites.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing teams throughout project execution.
• Work directly with customers and installation contractors to support successful system deployment.
• Maintain software documentation, revision control, and programming standards.
• Assist with continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of new automation technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or 10+ years of equivalent hands‑on industry experience.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or machine programming.
• Experience programming PLCs and HMIs in a manufacturing or machine‑building environment.
• Proficiency with one or more major automation platforms:
• Rockwell/Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 & FactoryTalk
• Experience with industrial communication networks including EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, or similar protocols.
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to travel approximately 30-50% for customer installations and commissioning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with robotics integration and programming.
• Motion control, servo systems, and coordinated motion experience.
• Familiarity with machine safety systems and safety PLCs.
• Experience with vision inspection systems.
• Knowledge of SQL, C#, VB.NET, or other PC-based programming languages.
• Experience in custom machine building, packaging, assembly, material handling, or automated manufacturing systems.

Why Join Us?

• Work on unique, custom-engineered automation projects.
• Opportunity to influence machine design and functionality from concept through startup.
• Exposure to advanced controls, robotics, motion control, and emerging automation technologies.
• Collaborative engineering environment with high visibility and impact.
• Opportunities for technical growth, leadership development, and career advancement.

Lincoln Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting equal employment opportunity for applicants, without regard to their race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to, lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

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