Controls Engineer
nVent · Blaine, MN
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $89k–$166k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 2 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at nVent (industrial) in Blaine, MN. You will support the industrial automation segment of all equipment.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- OEE, Root cause, PLC, Robotics, Automation, MES
- Base pay
- $89k–$166k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Minnesota: typical posted base $99k–$135k. This one lists $89k–$166k.
Median of the low and high ends of 15 live postings that list pay, out of 18 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 17 other live controls postings in Minnesota.
- Base pay
- About 11% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (5+ vs 8+)
Typical $99k–$131k, from 13 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 8+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 72%
- ✓ Automation 67%
- ✓ Robotics 39%
- ✓ MES 28%
- Lean 22%
- Six Sigma 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for OEE, 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 nVent
We found 3 people at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role, 2 leaders, plus 2 likely hiring managers. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Rony → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- 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.
This plant: nVent in Blaine
18 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in controls roles at nVent.
- Quality Manager · Quality · Manager
- Quality Technician - 2nd Shift · Quality · Technician
- Supplier Quality Engineer · Quality
- Lean Manager II · Lean / CI · Manager
- Operations Manager · Production · Manager
- Production Supervisor · Production · Supervisor
Full description from nVentAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What you will experience in this role
- ◆Lead the qualification, commissioning, and implementation of automated manufacturing equipment and production systems.
- ◆Identify and execute opportunities to improve safety, quality, throughput, OEE, and cycle times.
- ◆Develop controls architecture, PLC programs, HMIs, industrial communication networks, and machine safety systems for new and existing equipment.
- ◆Drive equipment upgrades, automation improvements, and modernization projects across manufacturing operations.
- ◆Develop equipment specifications and collaborate with machine builders, integrators, and suppliers through design, FAT, SAT, and production launch.
- ◆Analyze equipment and process data ensuring accurate tracking of test results and equipment performance to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- ◆Support new product introductions through development and integration of automated manufacturing and test systems.
- ◆Lead strategic automation projects from concept through implementation, managing scope, schedule, and stakeholder communication.
- ◆Research emerging automation technologies and develop long-term plans for automation, robotics, vision systems, and digital manufacturing solutions.
- ◆Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and technicians.
requirements
exist, employee pay will comply.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
We’re looking for people who put their innovation to work to advance our success – and their own. Join an organization that ensures a more secure world through connecting and protecting our customers with inventive electrical solutions.
As a Controls Engineer supporting our Operation Engineering functions, you will support the industrial automation segment of all equipment. Specifically supporting automation related tasks in conjunction with day/day manufacturing operations, support of site and equipment optimization efforts, and assisting in bringing new automation equipment into the facility. Through implementation, debug, and maintenance of the control systems that power our production equipment and new facilities automation, you will work closely with the all departments including R&D, NPI/Sustaining Engineering, Facilities Maintenance, Operations, and Leadership, to sustain and optimize all automation-based activities.
- •**This role will work onsite, 5 days a week in Blaine, MN***
You have
- •Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
- •Ideally 5+ years of experience supporting and developing automated manufacturing systems.
- •Strong PLC (Allen Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, etc.), HMI, industrial networking, and machine safety experience.
- •Experience qualifying and commissioning new or upgrades to manufacturing equipment.
- •Proven success leading projects focused on quality improvement, cycle time reduction, and operational efficiency.
- •Experience working with machine builders, automation integrators, and capital equipment suppliers.
- •Experience with manufacturing data systems, SCADA/MES platforms, or SQL databases preferred.
- •Experience with robotics, machine vision, or advanced automation technologies preferred.
- •Strong troubleshooting, attention to detail, project leadership, communication skills, and a passion for building reliable and scalable automated systems.
We have
- •A dynamic global reach with diverse operations around the world that will stretch your abilities, provide plentiful career opportunities, and allow you to make an impact every day
- •nVent is a leading global provider of electrical connection and protection solutions. We believe our inventive electrical solutions enable safer systems and ensure a more secure world. We design, manufacture, market, install and service high performance products and solutions that connect and protect some of the world's most sensitive equipment, buildings and critical processes. We offer a comprehensive range of systems protection and electrical connections solutions across industry-leading brands that are recognized globally for quality, reliability and innovation.
- •Our principal office is in London and our management office in the United States is in Minneapolis. Our robust portfolio of leading electrical product brands dates back more than 100 years and includes nVent CADDY, ERICO, HOFFMAN, ILSCO, SCHROFF and TRACHTE. Learn more at www.nvent.com .
- •Commitment to strengthen communities where our employees live and work
- •We encourage and support the philanthropic activities of our employees worldwide
- •Through our nVent in Action matching program, we provide funds to nonprofit and educational organizations where our employees volunteer or donate money
- •Core values that shape our culture and drive us to deliver the best for our employees and our customers. We’re known for being:
- •Innovative & adaptable
- •Dedicated to absolute integrity
- •Focused on the customer first
- •Respectful and team oriented
- •Optimistic and energizing
- •Accountable for performance
- •Benefits to support the lives of our employees