Principal Manufacturing Launch Engineer Robotics
Tennant Company · Minneapolis, MN
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $114k–$176k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 50+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 24 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Tennant Company (industrial) in Minneapolis, MN. Collaborate closely with R&D, Machine Integration, and Supply Chain to embed design for manufacturing principles.
- They ask for
- 50+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Robotics
- Base pay
- $114k–$176k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
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 $114k–$176k.
Median of the low and high ends of 19 live postings that list pay, out of 27 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 26 other live controls postings in Minnesota.
- Base pay
- About 24% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (50+ vs 6+)
Typical $99k–$135k, from 17 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 6+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- PLC 67%
- Automation 63%
- ✓ Robotics 37%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 26%
- MES 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Tennant Company
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?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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 Tennant CompanyAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
into actionable operational plans.
- ✓Identifying potential manufacturing constraints or risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies.
- ✓Maintaining accountability to the venture program teams for successful launch outcomes, balancing the needs of the broader operations organization.
- ✓Track and report launch progress, risks, and dependencies to venture leadership and operations stakeholders.
- ✓Identify and drive initiatives that enhance the long-term scalability, adaptability and competitive advantage for robotics manufacturing platform
requirements
within core operations, ensuring alignment on manufacturing readiness, supply chain, quality, and process capabilities. Facilitate communication and alignment between venture product teams and regional/global manufacturing sites to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality product launches.
requirements
for cost and qualityIntegrate Market and Customer Insights: Incorporate market trends, customer feedback, and competitive benchmarking into launch manufacturing strategies to ensure products meet evolving business and customer needs.
Education & Knowledge Skills & Abilities
- ✓Education: Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering (Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial) from an ABET accredited institution is required.
- ✓Experience: Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production launch, or industrial process implementation, preferably on complex electro-mechanical systems and/or electric vehicle architectures.
- ✓Technical Mastery: Proven experience in product launch management, manufacturing operations, and program management in complex, global environments. Broad technical knowledge in the design and development of mechanical and computer controlled electro-mechanical systems.
- ✓Collaboration & Communication: Strong capability to build partnerships, communicate effectively and concisely, and work collaboratively on cross-functional teams (R&D, Systems, Supply Chain, Operations).
Problem Solving & Execution: Deep understanding of global manufacturing processes, supply chain considerations, and operational best practices.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Location: United States - Minneapolis, MN
Hours: Monday – Friday;
Pay: $113,600 - $175,700
With more than $1B in revenue, Tennant Company is a globally recognized leader in the cleaning equipment industry. For the past 150 years, we have been passionate about developing and manufacturing innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers. At Tennant Company, we are committed to stewardship and creating a cleaner, safer and healthier world. With manufacturing, operations and sales, service, and support functions across the globe, your journey at Tennant can take you places you never expected.
We are seeking a highly collaborative and strategically minded leader to serve as the primary liaison between the Robotics Venture program teams and the broader operations and manufacturing organization. This role is accountable for ensuring the successful launch of new robotic products into global manufacturing, representing the venture’s program objectives while aligning with core operations standards and processes. The ideal candidate excels at cross-functional collaboration, navigating complex organizational structures, and driving the operational readiness required to meet ambitious product launch schedules.
The Principal Launch Engineer is accountable to ensure global manufacturing sites are prepared to scale robotics into repeatable, reliable production. Success is measured by meeting schedule deliverables, the efficiency of assembly, cost optimization, and successful adherence to quality and compliance standards during product launch.
The Principal Launch Engineer is accountable for
- •Shaping and aligning cross functional strategies to ensure that manufacturing decisions support broader organizational goals and future growth opportunities
- •Collaborating closely with program teams to translate product design, technical specifications, and launch
Production Launch & Implementation
- •Serve as the primary point of contact between the Robotics Venture program teams and global manufacturing operations. Lead the production launch and implementation of new robotics designs and subsystems into manufacturing facilities. Define and establish production process standards and documentation (e.g., assembly, testing).
Manufacturing Readiness
- •Represent the venture’s priorities and
Design for Manufacturability
- •Collaborate closely with R&D, Machine Integration, and Supply Chain to embed design for manufacturing principles. Provide critical feedback during Design Reviews to ensure designs meet stringent production
Capabilities
- •Strategic thinker with a focus on operational execution
- •Effective liaison between program teams and operations with excellent communication skill
- •Ability to manage competing priorities and drive results in a matrix organization
- •Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Benefits = A comprehensive benefits package including multiple medical plan options, 401(k) with a 100% match up to 6%, paid vacation time, up to 8 paid company holidays and 3 personal holidays per year, dental and vision coverage, wellness rewards, robust family support programs, company‑paid disability and life insurance, and a full Employee Assistance Program.
Defining Our Employee Value Proposition
At Tennant C