Sr. Engineering Manager – Automation & Test Systems
Emerson · Eden Prairie, MN
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $130k–$170k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 29 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management controls role at Emerson (industrial) in Eden Prairie, MN. In this strategic leadership role, you will guide the vision, architecture, development, and deployment of manufacturing automation systems and automated test equipment across Emerson's global manufacturing network.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Automation, Tooling
- Base pay
- $130k–$170k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Minnesota: typical posted base $100k–$141k. This one lists $130k–$170k.
Median of the low and high ends of 18 live postings that list pay, out of 25 controls engineer openings in Minnesota, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Minnesota plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 24 other live controls postings in Minnesota.
- Base pay
- About 28% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 6+)
Typical $99k–$135k, from 16 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 6+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- PLC 68%
- ✓ Automation 64%
- Robotics 32%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 28%
- MES 24%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Python, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Emerson
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from EmersonAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Who You Are
You are a strategic engineering leader who builds high-performing teams and delivers results across a global manufacturing network. You balance resources and priorities effectively, lead through influence, and align teams around a clear vision. You combine expertise in manufacturing automation and test systems with strong business acumen, driving operational excellence through technology, data, and continuous improvement. You are passionate about developing talent and translating emerging technologies into practical solutions that improve quality, productivity, and business performance.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
If you are a Manufacturing Automation and Test Engineering Leader professional looking for an opportunity to grow your career, Emerson offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of global manufacturing operations. In this strategic leadership role, you will guide the vision, architecture, development, and deployment of manufacturing automation systems and automated test equipment across Emerson's global manufacturing network. You will lead high-performing engineering teams, drive technology innovation, and establish scalable solutions that enhance quality, productivity, reliability, and operational performance while supporting Emerson's commitment to innovation, integrity, collaboration, and inclusion.
Will Be
- •Provide technical and organizational leadership for the design, development, deployment, support, and lifecycle management of manufacturing automation systems and automated test equipment, ensuring reliable production operations across Emerson's global manufacturing network.
- •Lead and develop global automation and test engineering teams in the design, implementation, and support of test solutions for electronic assemblies and finished products, including functional, in-circuit, and production test systems, while partnering with external suppliers and technology providers.
- •Lead development of software for automation and test systems, including LabVIEW-based test executive applications, sequencing, data acquisition, and instrument control, as well as other custom coding solutions supporting automated test and manufacturing systems.
- •Establish and govern globally aligned automation and test architectures, platforms, engineering processes, technical standards, cybersecurity controls, validation methods, and documentation practices to improve consistency, reliability, maintainability, compliance, and reuse across manufacturing sites while reducing total cost of ownership
- •Guide the development and sustainment of automation software, MATLAB characterization tools, communication protocols, and supporting technologies while ensuring system reliability, maintainability, and production uptime.
- •Define and own the global test data strategy, including database architecture, cross-site SQL data integration, analytics, web-based reporting, and AI-enabled insights that support manufacturing and engineering decision-making.
- •Develop and manage multi-year automation and test technology roadmaps, budgets, capital plans, resource allocations, and project portfolios to prioritize investments and deliver improvements in quality, productivity, scalability, and manufacturing competitiveness.
- •Partner with Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Product Engineering, IT, and global site leadership to align automation and test capabilities with business and operational priorities.
- •Provide technical leadership and escalation support for critical manufacturing and test systems, ensuring rapid resolution of issues that impact safety, quality, delivery, or productivity.
- •Establish and govern engineering processes, technical standards, cybersecurity controls, and documentation practices to ensure reliable, compliant, and maintainable automation solutions.
- •Build and lead a high-performing global engineering organization through clear goal setting, performance management, coaching, career development, and succession planning, while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence
- •Champion continuous improvement and modern engineering practices, leveraging data-driven decision-making, structured problem-solving, and emerging technologies to enhance manufacturing performance.
For This Role, You Will Need
- •Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Mechanical, or a related discipline).
- •10+ years of relevant engineering experience, including significant experience leading and developing engineering teams.
- •Demonstrated experience developing manufacturing automation systems and test equipment for global manufacturing sites.
- •Experience with software development supporting automation and test systems, including LabVIEW or similar test/measurement software platforms, along with other general coding capabilities.
- •Working knowledge of software development technologies used in automation and test systems, such as VB.NET, C#, C/C++, Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or LabWindows™/CVI, with demonstrated experience leading teams that develop and support solutions using these platforms.
- •Proven experience with Microsoft SQL Server at a design level, including schema design, query optimization, and administration tasks such as backups, monitoring, and replication.
- •Experience with test-nest design and development for electronics (e.g., bed-of-nails and functional test fixtures); experience working with test fixture suppliers.
- •Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to represent Emerson across global manufacturing sites and with suppliers.
- •Ability to travel domestically and internationally to support global manufacturing sites.
- •Legal authorization to work in the United States – sponsorship will not be provided for this role.
That Set You Apart
- •Advanced degree (master’s or higher) in Engineeri
