Automation Engineer

Precision Process & Control (PP&C)

Location: Chanhassen, MN

Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site

Industry: Food & Beverage | Process Engineering | Industrial Automation

About Precision Process & Control

Precision Process & Control (PP&C) is a growing engineering firm specializing in process engineering, industrial automation, and project execution within the food and beverage industry. Our services include engineering consulting, process development, project management, sanitary process installations, and complete controls and automation solutions.

We are a small but growing company with an ambitious vision for the future. As we continue to expand, we're looking for talented, driven individuals who want to do more than simply fill a position. We're looking for people who want to help build a successful company, contribute to a strong team, and grow professionally along the way.

At PP&C, employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We believe in giving our team members the responsibility, support, and exposure they need to develop their skills and reach their potential.

Unlike larger organizations where engineers may be limited to a specific function or technology, our team works across a wide variety of projects, customers, equipment, and engineering disciplines. This creates opportunities to gain valuable, hands-on experience and accelerate professional development.

We're building a company where motivated people can grow with the business and help shape its future.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Controls & Automation Engineer to join our expanding team in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

This position offers the opportunity to work on a diverse range of industrial automation projects, from initial concept and engineering design through programming, installation, startup, and commissioning.

You'll work directly with engineers, project managers, and customers to develop and implement automation solutions for food and beverage manufacturing facilities.

As part of a smaller engineering team, you'll have the opportunity to take ownership of meaningful work, contribute ideas, and gain exposure to multiple aspects of engineering and project execution.

We're looking for someone who enjoys technical challenges, takes initiative, and is excited about the opportunity to grow professionally while helping expand PP&C's capabilities and customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Controls & Automation Engineering

• Develop, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems, primarily using Rockwell Automation platforms.
• Design, develop, and modify HMI and SCADA applications. Primarily using Ignition, FTView(ALL), and Wonderware
• Participate in control system architecture development, hardware selection, and automation system design.
• Develop functional specifications, control narratives, and technical documentation.
• Assist with electrical control panel design, I/O configuration, and system integration.
• Collaborate with process engineers to develop effective automation solutions.

Project Execution & Commissioning

• Participate in automation projects from initial design through installation, testing, startup, and commissioning.
• Perform PLC and HMI testing, I/O checkout, troubleshooting, and system validation.
• Provide onsite technical support during equipment installation and system startup.
• Work directly with customers, contractors, and project teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, software backups, and system records.

Customer Support & Continuous Improvement

• Troubleshoot and resolve automation-related issues remotely and onsite.
• Identify opportunities to improve system performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Provide technical guidance and support to customers.
• Assist with system upgrades, modernization projects, and automation improvements.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of PP&C's engineering standards and processes.

Teamwork & Company Development

• Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and other team members across multiple disciplines.
• Take initiative and contribute ideas that improve project execution and internal operations.
• Help develop and strengthen PP&C's controls and automation capabilities.
• Support the company's continued growth through quality engineering, customer service, and teamwork.
• Take on increasing levels of responsibility as your skills develop and opportunities arise.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Qualifications

• 3–8 years of experience in industrial controls, automation engineering, or a related field.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting Rockwell Automation PLC systems, including ControlLogix and CompactLogix.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting HMI and/or SCADA applications.
• Understanding of industrial control systems, electrical schematics, instrumentation, and control panel components.
• Experience with system startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with a team.
• Strong communication, organization, and time-management skills.
• Willingness to travel to customer facilities for project execution and commissioning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Wonderware / AVEVA System Platform, InTouch, Historian, or InBatch.
• Experience with Siemens PLC systems.
• Experience in food, dairy, beverage, or other process manufacturing industries.
• Understanding of P&IDs, process flow diagrams, and control narratives.
• Experience with batch processing, CIP systems, process instrumentation, and sanitary manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with industrial networks and communication protocols.
• Experience working directly with customers and participating in project execution.

Our Culture & Long-Term Vision

We're not just looking to fill an open position. We're looking for people who want to help build the future of PP&C.

As a growing engineering company, we're focused on developing a strong team of talented professionals who share our commitment to quality, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

We believe that building a successful company starts with investing in the people who make it possible.

Our goal is to create an environment where employees are encouraged to take initiative, share ideas, develop new capabilities, and play an active role in the company's success.

Make an Impact Beyond Your Job Description

At PP&C, your ideas and contributions won't get lost in layers of management.

You'll have the opportunity to work directly with company leadership, influence how projects are executed, help establish internal processes, and contribute to the development of our engineering capabilities.

We value people who recognize opportunities for improvement and are motivated to help turn those ideas into results.

Gain Experience That Accelerates Your Career

One of the biggest advantages of joining a smaller, growing engineering company is the variety of experience available.

Rather than spending years working within one narrow technical specialty, you'll have opportunities to participate in multiple phases of engineering projects, work with different customers and technologies, and develop a broader understanding of industrial automation and process engineering.

Our goal is to provide an environment where ambitious engineers can develop the technical, project management, and leadership skills needed to advance their careers.

Why Join PP&C?

Be Part of Something Growing

Join a company that is actively expanding its capabilities, customer relationships, and engineering team. You'll have the opportunity to contribute to that growth and help shape what the company becomes.

Build Your Career, Not Just Your Resume

Gain valuable experience across a diverse range of projects and develop the skills needed to advance into senior technical, project management, or leadership positions.

Take Ownership and Make a Difference

Work in an environment where initiative is encouraged, individual contributions are recognized, and employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Experience More in Less Time

Gain exposure to different technologies, engineering disciplines, project phases, and customer environments that may take years to experience in a more narrowly defined role.

Work With a Collaborative Team

Be part of a company that values teamwork, open communication, accountability, and supporting one another's success.

Help Shape the Future of the Company

Contribute to developing our engineering standards, improving our processes, expanding our capabilities, and building a strong foundation for long-term growth.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who brings strong technical capabilities along with the ambition and mindset to grow with our company.

The ideal candidate:

• Is motivated to continuously learn and develop professionally.
• Enjoys taking ownership of projects and solving challenging problems.
• Is excited about working in a growing company where opportunities and responsibilities evolve.
• Values teamwork, accountability, and open communication.
• Takes pride in delivering high-quality engineering solutions.
• Wants to contribute ideas and help improve how the company operates.
• Has an interest in developing into a senior technical, project management, or leadership role over time.
• Is looking for a long-term opportunity to grow with a company and contribute to its success.

Build Your Future With PP&C

If you're looking for a position where you can develop your technical skills, gain exposure to a wide variety of projects, work closely with company leadership, and have the opportunity to take on greater responsibility as the business grows, PP&C could be the right place to build your career.

Join our team and help build the future of Precision Process & Control.