VFD Design & Support Engineer

SJE; Detroit Lakes (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Disability insurance (short/long-term)

Dental & Vision insurance

PTO & 8 holidays

Job summary

SJE in Detroit Lakes, MN is seeking a VFD Design & Support Engineer to design specialized VFD control panels, support new product development, validate performance, and guide lifecycle decisions. You will create electrical schematics and select components to ensure reliable operation in demanding environments.

You will test designs in the lab, verify compliance with UL 508A, and assist the Technical Support and Production teams with field and panel testing.

Qualifications

• 4-year degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent and 3–6 years of experience.
• Experience designing electrical control systems and industrial control panels from scratch.
• Knowledge of motor controls, industrial automation, electrical schematics, and water pressure control systems plumbing.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (Modbus, EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS) and UL 508A standards.

Responsibilities

• Design VFD control panels and develop new VFD-based products.
• Validate designs through hands-on testing in the engineering lab and ensure UL 508A compliance.
• Provide field and production support for VFD panels and troubleshoot issues.
• Collaborate with engineering, product development, and manufacturing teams to improve existing products.

Skills

Electrical control design

VFD applications

Industrial automation

Schematic interpretation

Industrial communication protocols

UL 508A knowledge

Root cause analysis

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

4-year degree or equivalent

Tools

Electrical CAD

Test equipment

Job description

At SJE, we are more than a company - we are a family of brands with a shared vision and mission to provide industry-leading, innovative, and reliable control and monitoring solutions that improve efficiencies, protect the environment, and deliver dependable solutions to our valued customers. We are looking for a VFD Design & Support Engineer to support our SJE Rhombus brand. This role will work out of our Detroit Lakes, MN location.

Detroit Lakes is the home office for SJE and is the leading manufacturer of our liquid level control products, including pump control panels, alarm systems, float switches, and level monitoring solutions. Our SJE Rhombus brand is a leading provider of liquid level control products and pump control solutions for the water, wastewater, and sewage industries across residential, commercial, municipal, industrial, and agricultural sectors. Check us out at SJErhombus.com or SJEinc.com !

The job:

As our VFD Design & Support Engineer, you will design specialized Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) control panels, support new product development, validate system performance, and provide expert technical guidance throughout the product lifecycle. You will create electrical schematics, develop control panel designs, and select the right components to ensure every solution delivers reliable performance in demanding environments. Working closely with our engineering and product development teams, you will help develop new VFD-based products while continuously improving existing product lines through thoughtful design enhancements and engineering change initiatives.

You will validate your designs through hands-on testing in our engineering lab, ensuring products meet customer expectations, industry standards, and UL 508A requirements before they reach the field. You will support the Technical Support team on field and technical troubleshooting as well as the production team in the testing of VFD control panels.

The skills, education, and experience you need:

To succeed in this role, you must have:

• Experience designing electrical control systems, industrial control panels, and VFD applications from scratch
• Knowledge of motor controls, industrial automation, electrical schematics, and water pressure control systems plumbing
• Experience selecting electrical components and interpreting engineering specifications
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, EtherNet/IP, or PROFIBUS
• Understanding of UL 508A Standards and industrial control panel design
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root cause analysis skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and customer support teams

A 4-year degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent degree and 3-6 years of experience are required.

When you are considering a new job, it is normal to have a ton of questions. Here are a few questions we are asked all the time.

• What are the hours? Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
• What is your Paid Time Off and holiday policy? Up to 120 hours of Paid Time Off in your first year plus 8 paid holidays.
• What is the starting wage? The starting salary for this position is $80,000 - $95,000 per year.
• What benefits do you offer?We offer a robust benefits package including health, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance as well as dental and vision programs you need to take care of your family, along with other benefit options.Check out ourfull benefits package !
• What is my commute?Plug this address into Google Maps: 22650 Co Hwy 6, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501.

We will answer more of your questions during the first interview. Expect to hear about the next steps if you meet the job requirements.

Why Work With Us
At SJE, we believe in empowering our employees to grow professionally while making a real impact. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, and a collaborative culture that encourages creativity and problem-solving. Join us and become a part of something bigger. Join a company where you’re not just working—you’re building a legacy!

SJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.