Automation Estimation Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

This is a HYBRID role based in Maple Grove, MN

Do you want to be a vital part of a successful multi-disciplined team? At Cybertrol, you will apply your skills in a culture that focuses on commitment to high quality solutions for our customers while emphasizing personal and professional growth for our employees. Our core values are reflected in everything we do. Our dedication to being "Passionate," "Authentic," and "Willing to Help" makes a significant impact on our work culture and the success of our projects.

ABOUT CYBERTROL

Cybertrol Engineering creates and delivers custom-engineered automation hardware and software solutions to manufacturing customers throughout the upper Midwest and across the world. The firm is privately owned, headquartered in Minneapolis, and has additional offices in Madison and Marshfield, WI. There is an extraordinarily strong engineering culture that emphasizes both personal and professional growth along with a commitment to providing high-quality solutions, including: plant-wide automation, information, and industrial IT (Information Technology) infrastructure; custom control panel design and fabrication; and upgrades of obsolete automation systems.

Job Summary

The Solutions Architect is a customer-facing technical role responsible for defining, estimating, and delivering industrial automation solutions that align to customer needs and Cybertrol capabilities. This role blends front-end solution development (scope definition, proposal creation, and technical consultation) with architecture-level engineering leadership (functional specifications, PLC/HMI software strategy, simulation, and commissioning support). The Solutions Architect partners with Business Development, Engineering, and Operations to ensure solutions are technically sound, commercially clear, and executed with high quality—serving as a trusted consultant to customers throughout the sales cycle and project lifecycle.

Ability to travel up to 15% for scope-definition visits to customer sites, quarterly business reviews for assigned accounts, project commissioning support as needed, and trade show attendance. A valid driver’s license is required.

Essential Job Functions

• Work directly with Cybertrol management and customers to understand business objectives, technical constraints, and success criteria; translate needs into a clear project scope and solution approach
• Create estimations, bill of materials, and proposal documents for internal review and external customer presentation
• Architect end-to-end industrial automation solutions, including controls, networks, software, and services, leveraging Cybertrol standards and approved vendor offerings
• Develop clear and well-structured Functional Specifications and other required technical documentation to support project execution
• Design and develop automation strategies as Project Architect, providing system-level thinking, problem-solving, and technical leadership across disciplines
• Develop and implement complex PLC/HMI code in a modern, team-based software framework; support simulation, testing, and customer acceptance activities asrequired
• Partner with Manufacturing Intelligence, Hardware, and Industrial OT engineers to deliver comprehensive solutions that meet customer requirements
• Consult with customers’ technical teams to validate requirements, review technical specifications, and provide clarifications, exceptions, and recommended alternatives
• Present proposals and technical recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, clearly articulating how the solution addresses customer needs
• Maintain customer engagement throughout the project lifecycle and for a period following commissioning to ensure successful adoption and identify follow-on opportunities
• Ensure quality processes are followed to deliver high-quality, reliable, and maintainable solutions and software
• Build and maintain vendor relationships by becoming certified and/or registered within key partner organizations (e.g., Cisco, Panduit, VMware) and staying current on relevant technologies
• Remain current on customer preferences and solution options by attending sales meetings, vendor trainings, trade shows, and reviewing industry publications
• Provide account management support for assigned house accounts, including periodic customer visits,identifyingpotential needs, developing scope, assembling proposals, and presenting recommendations

Required Education and Experience

• B.S. in Engineering (Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Chemical) or related engineering field; orAssociate Degree in Engineering Technology (Electrical, Computer, IT, Electro-Mechanical) or related engineering technology field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in industrial automation
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing PLC/HMI solutions, including commissioning/startup support
• Experience producing customer-facing technical documentation (e.g., functional specifications, proposals, scope documents) and presenting solutions to stakeholders

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to architect and explain technical solutions to both technical and non-technical customer contacts
• Strong consultative skills, including discovery, and managing ambiguity to a defined scope
• Effective technical writing skills with the ability to create clear, structured specifications and proposal content
• Ability to provide technical support for business development, including system-level troubleshooting and project technicalassistance
• Proven ability to work independently, overcome resistance, and manage multiple requests while following standard workflows
• Ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Operations, and Sales, including engaging specialty resources for uncommon applications
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including mentoring, technical guidance, and contributing to a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence
• Desire to continuously learnnew technologiesand applications; commitment to staying current with vendor and industry developments
• Maintainproficiencyin Microsoft Office and internal business systems/applications

Cybertrol offers a discretionary bonus to all employees, based on company and personal performance. In addition, all full-time employees are eligible for a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, 401(k), paid holidays and personal paid time off (PTO), supplemental insurance plans, and education reimbursement.

Cybertrol is committed to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, age and/or any other protected status as required by law.