We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 18 Jul 2026

A Day in the Life
At Medtronic, we bring bold ideas forward with speed and decisiveness to put patients first in everything we do. In-person exchanges are invaluable to our work. We're working onsite 4 days a week as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and cross-functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary. The person in this role will work from the Medtronic facility located in Dexter, Michigan.

This role will require 20% of travel to Grand Rapids, MI to enhance collaboration and ensure successful completion of projects.

The Principal Controls & Automation Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for driving automation strategy and execution across the Dexter and Grand Rapids, Michigan manufacturing sites. This role focuses on PLC-based controls engineering, industrial automation systems, robotics integration, and equipment validation within a regulated manufacturing environment. The position will play a key role in transitioning manual processes to automated solutions, strengthening controls architecture standards, ensuring robust system validation, and representing Medtronic's technical and quality expectations with vendors and internal stakeholders.

• Lead automation initiatives from concept through design, FAT/SAT, validation, and production deployment.
• Architect, program, and maintain PLC-based automation systems using industry-standard controls platforms.
• Develop and standardize controls architectures for automated manufacturing equipment.
• Integrate industrial robots with PLC control systems, including communication protocols, safety interlocks, and motion coordination.
• Troubleshoot and optimize automation equipment to improve uptime, throughput, reliability, and product quality.
• Support equipment commissioning, system debugging, and start-up activities for new and modified automation systems.
• Execute equipment validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) and ensure automation systems meet regulatory and quality requirements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, quality, and operations teams to deploy scalable automation solutions.
• Provide technical oversight and hold vendors accountable for controls design, programming quality, and project execution.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual manufacturing processes and improve production efficiency.

MUST HAVE (Minimum Qualifications)

• 7+ years of experience with a bachelor's degree or 5+ years of experience with an advanced degree

NICE TO HAVE (Preferred Qualifications)

• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience (ladder logic, structured text, or similar controls languages).
• Hands-on controls engineering experience in automated manufacturing environments.
• Experience integrating robotics and automated equipment within production lines.
• Background in equipment commissioning, controls debugging, and production support.
• Experience supporting validation and regulated manufacturing environments.
• Vendor coordination or technical leadership experience in automation projects.
• Automation development, equipment design, or deployment experience in medical device or comparable industries (automotive, aerospace, defense, etc.)

For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. A7 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.

The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship

At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise-wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H-1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal-level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long-term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.

Recruitment Fraud Alert

We are aware of phishing scams targeting job seekers. Please keep the following in mind:

Apply only through official Medtronic channels. All legitimate Medtronic recruiting communications come from approved Medtronic platforms and official [redacted].com email addresses.

Medtronic will never ask for payment or sensitive personal information (such as bank account or Social Security details) during early stages of the hiring process. Any such requests are not legitimate.

If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Medtronic, do not respond, click links, or open attachments.

If you have any questions, concerns regarding the authenticity of a communication alleged to have been made by or on behalf of Medtronic, please contact us immediately at [redacted].

Benefits & Compensation

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package
A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$152,800.00 - $229,200.00

This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).

The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week: Health, Dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Life insurance, Long-term disability leave, Dependent daycare spending account, Tuition assistance/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).

The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees: Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, Short-term disability, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), and Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).

Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns. Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico.

Further details are available at the link below:

Medtronic benefits and compensation plans