Senior Controls Engineer

CommScope; Shakopee (MN); On-site; USD 103,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Job summary

CommScope is looking for a Senior Controls Engineer in Shakopee, Minnesota. This role is responsible for designing and developing control systems for automated manufacturing equipment. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and over 10 years of experience in controls and automation. The position offers a salary range of $103,000–$150,000 annually, alongside a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision plans. A focus on technical autonomy and cross-functional collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant controls experience.
• Strong proficiency in electrical design software.
• Demonstrated experience in designing automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop control systems for automated manufacturing equipment.
• Evaluate and improve automation concepts to enhance manufacturing.
• Collaborate with teams for integrated electrical and software solutions.

Skills

Electrical design

PLC programming

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, computer, or software engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

DraftSight

Allen Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Job description

Location: Shakopee, Minnesota, United States

How You’ll Help Us Connect the World

As a Senior Controls Engineer, you will play a pivotal technical role on CommScope’s Automation Team, designing, developing, and deploying control systems for custom automated manufacturing equipment used to produce fiber optic products. This is a hands‑on role focused on translating manufacturing and quality challenges into robust, scalable automation solutions that improve safety, throughput, yield, and cost.

This is an individual contributor role with significant technical ownership across the full equipment lifecycle—from requirements and concept through design, build, debug, validation, deployment, and sustained factory support. You will partner closely with manufacturing, process, mechanical, electrical, software, and quality teams (local and global) and will be expected to lead technical decisions, drive disciplined documentation, and resolve complex system‑level problems with limited supervision.

You’ll join a collaborative automation group that values practical engineering, technical rigor, continuous improvement, and direct impact on manufacturing performance. This position is located in Shakopee, Minnesota.

Responsibilities

Machine & Automation Development

• Generate and evaluate automation concepts (controls + electrical) to improve safety, quality, cycle time, uptime, and manufacturing cost.
• Drive innovation by proposing new architecture, components, or methods.
• Lead feasibility work including definition of requirements, bench testing, and proof‑of‑concept validation for new automation.
• Develop, build, debug, and validate semi‑automated and automated equipment for fiber optics, including supporting FAT/SAT and factory handoff.
• Maintain strong awareness of emerging controls technologies and applicable industry standards; apply them pragmatically to improve reliability and maintainability.
• Develop and improve standard work: electrical/controls design templates, programming standards, reusable modules, work instructions, and troubleshooting guides; mentor engineers/technicians as needed.

Electrical Design

• Create complete controls/electrical design packages including requirements, I/O lists, component selection, panel layouts, safety circuit design, electrical schematics, BOMs, and P&IDs; maintain accurate as‑built documentation.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, mechanical, and process engineering to deliver integrated electrical and software solutions.
• Perform hands‑on build support including point‑to‑point verification, I/O checkout, and debugging of electrical/control issues during build and deployment.
• Integrate and configure field devices and motion hardware (sensors, load cells, flow meters, VFDs, servos, actuators).
• Apply working knowledge of machine safety standards and electrical codes (e.g., NEC, UL, CE, NFPA).

Software

• Develop PLC/HMI software from scratch, including defining the control architecture, sequencing, alarms, diagnostics, and recovery strategies.
• Design, configure, and troubleshoot industrial networks and communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Profinet, Modbus, etc.).
• Design, develop, and program vision systems including testing cameras, lighting setups, and lenses for each application.
• Configure, tune, and validate motion systems to achieve cycle time and quality requirements.
• Lead system debug, commissioning, and start‑up activities (including FAT/SAT support), and provide extended remote/on‑site support to sustain factory performance.

Required Qualifications for Consideration

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, computer, software engineering or related discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant controls experience.
• Demonstrated experience to define requirements, design electrical systems, and conduct programming of industrial control systems for automation equipment.
• Strong proficiency in electrical design software (AutoCAD, DraftSight) and general with computers, configuration, networking, IP addresses, etc.
• Strong proficiency in PLCs (Allen Bradley, Siemens, etc.) and HMIs (Pro‑Face, PanelView, SIMATIC).
• Working knowledge of machine safety and relevant codes/standards.
• Hands‑on experience in controls through design, build, debug, and factory deployment.
• Be self‑driven and highly motivated with a strong sense of ownership and urgency.
• Proficiency with standard productivity tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross‑functional collaboration.
• Ability to travel up to ~15% to support global manufacturing locations.

You Will Excite Us If You

• Familiar with C programming, python, and other structured text software.
• Have experience with SCADA systems.
• Have experience with 3D CAD, preferably SolidWorks.
• Possess hands‑on wiring and assembly experience.
• Demonstrate project management experience showing strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Engineering Technical Growth Path (ETL)

This role is part of CommScope’s technical career path for engineers who wish to grow as individual contributors without moving into people management. Engineers in this role are able to deepen technical expertise, expand influence, and take on increasingly complex and higher‑impact problems over time.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is $103,000–$150,000 annually based on hired level and experience. The candidate will be rewarded with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, life and accidental death insurance, a 401(k) plan, and participation in the Company’s Incentive Plan. Candidates starting with the Company will be eligible for eleven paid holidays in a full calendar year, two weeks of paid vacation (prorated based on start date), as well as other leave options.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CommScope is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO), including people with disabilities and veterans. If you are seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact us to submit your request at [e-mail]. You can also learn more about CommScope’s accommodation process and EEO policy at careers.commscope.com/eeo