Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer NPI Test Development

This role focuses on designing, implementing, and sustaining control systems for production test equipment that support new product introduction (NPI) in a rapidly growing data solutions environment. The Controls Engineer works closely with NPI Test Development Engineers to translate test requirements into robust automation solutions, ensuring that new testers are reliable, maintainable, and fully ready for production use. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to successful product launches in the data center space while working with advanced automation, instrumentation, and electro-mechanical systems.

Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and debug control systems for production test equipment that support new product introduction activities.
• Collaborate closely with NPI Test Development Engineers to translate test requirements into robust, automated control solutions.
• Develop and maintain PLC programs to control test systems, ensuring reliability, repeatability, and ease of maintenance.
• Create and support HMI interfaces that enable intuitive operation and monitoring of production test equipment.
• Configure and manage industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and CAN to integrate instrumentation, sensors, and automation hardware.
• Support the implementation and sustainment of end-of-line test systems in a production environment, including commissioning and ongoing optimization.
• Troubleshoot control system issues, instrumentation problems, and electro-mechanical faults to minimize downtime and improve system performance.
• Collaborate with machine builders and automation hardware suppliers to specify, integrate, and validate capital equipment for test applications.
• Ensure test data is properly collected by working with database systems and integrating test equipment with data collection tools.
• Apply strong attention to detail and best practices in controls engineering to build reliable, safe, and maintainable automated systems.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of test automation processes, documentation, and standards across NPI and production environments.
• Provide ongoing support for existing test systems, including updates, enhancements, and corrective actions as needed.

Essential Skills:

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline.
• Ideally 5+ years of experience in controls engineering, automation engineering, or production test system development.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming, including development, debugging, and maintenance of control logic.
• Experience with HMI development for industrial or production test applications.
• Practical knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and CAN.
• Strong experience in instrumentation and electro-mechanical systems used in automated test or production environments.
• Experience supporting or implementing end-of-line test systems in a production setting.
• Familiarity with capital equipment and automation hardware, including collaboration with machine builders and integrators.
• Working knowledge of database systems used for test data collection and analysis.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for control systems, instrumentation, and electro-mechanical equipment.
• High attention to detail and a demonstrated passion for building reliable automated systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Exposure to helium leak testing and related test methodologies.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and Allen-Bradley automation platforms.
• Ability to use AutoCAD or similar tools to create and interpret electrical schematics.
• Experience in the data center or data solutions space, particularly in test or automation roles.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional engineering and production teams.

Work Environment:

This is a fully onsite role, working on-site five days per week in a production and test engineering environment. The position involves hands-on work with production test equipment, capital automation hardware, PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, and electro-mechanical systems. You will work closely with NPI and production teams in a facility that supports data solutions and data center-focused products. Travel requirements are minimal to none, allowing you to focus primarily on on-site development, commissioning, and support of test systems.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Permanent position based out of Minneapolis, MN.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $130000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

At nVent, we value our people and their health and well-being. We provide a broad benefits package with meaningful programs for eligible full-time employees that includes: Medical, dental, and vision plans along with flexible spending accounts, short-term and long-term disability benefits, critical illness, accident insurance and life insurance. A 401(k) retirement plan and an employee stock purchase plan both include a company match. Other supplemental benefits may include tuition reimbursement, caregiver, personal and parental leave, back-up care services, paid time off including volunteer time, a well-being program, and/or legal & identity theft protection.

Application Deadline:

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 4, 2026.

Workplace Type:

This is a fully onsite position in Minneapolis, MN.

About Actalent:

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.