
Sr. Systems Engineer
Actalent · Rockford, MN
- On site
- Full-time
- $140,000 / year
- Rockford, MN
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Subject: Interested in the Sr. Systems Engineer role at Actalent
Hi Riley — I came across the Sr. Systems Engineer opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and Actalent stood out because…
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Job highlights
- Develop and integrate autonomous vehicle systems.
- Define and maintain system architecture.
- Coordinate cross-functional engineering teams.
- Troubleshoot complex electromechanical issues.
- Support full product lifecycle deployment.
About the role
Sr Systems Engineer
The Sr Systems Engineer plays a critical role in the development, integration, and deployment of autonomous vehicle and automation platforms. This position spans product development, controls integration, software-enabled systems, manufacturing, and field deployment to ensure that autonomous systems are reliable, scalable, serviceable, and commercially viable. The Sr Systems Engineer helps define and maintain system architecture, drives cross-functional integration, and shapes the future direction of autonomous platforms and technologies.
Responsibilities
- Support the development and maintenance of overall system architecture, including subsystem definitions, interfaces, technical requirements, and system behaviors.
- Participate in system-level engineering decisions and trade studies, including buy-versus-build evaluations for hardware, software, controls, navigation, and third-party technologies.
- Coordinate integration efforts across electrical, embedded, controls, software, and mechanical engineering disciplines to ensure cohesive system performance.
- Support the development of scalable, reliable, serviceable, and commercially viable autonomous vehicle platforms.
- Integrate and troubleshoot embedded control systems, motor drives, battery systems, safety systems, industrial I/O, and communication networks.
- Support the development and review of electrical schematics, harnessing systems, control architectures, and vehicle electrical systems.
- Diagnose complex electrical, controls, communication, and system-level integration issues and implement effective solutions.
- Support implementation and integration of navigation, localization, fleet management, obstacle detection, and sensor-based technologies.
- Support validation of vehicle behaviors, operational reliability, localization accuracy, and overall system performance.
- Work closely with third-party robotics, navigation, controls, and automation suppliers to evaluate technologies and validate performance.
- Support integration and troubleshooting of industrial and embedded communication systems, including CANbus, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, TCP/IP, Modbus, MQTT, or related technologies.
- Support integration between autonomous vehicle systems, fleet management platforms, WMS/MES systems, and customer infrastructure.
- Develop and execute system validation, verification, and troubleshooting activities for autonomous and automation systems.
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts for system-level issues impacting performance or reliability.
- Support prototype builds, pilot deployments, production launches, and field implementation activities.
- Participate in risk assessments, design reviews, and safety evaluations for autonomous systems.
- Support compliance with applicable safety standards and relevant industry requirements.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including system specifications, validation reports, test procedures, and troubleshooting documentation.
- Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, sourcing, operations, suppliers, and customers throughout development and deployment activities.
Essential Skills
- 5+ years of experience developing complex electromechanical, robotic, automation, or mobile equipment systems.
- Experience with industrial vehicle, automation, robotics, or mobile equipment systems.
- Experience integrating electrical, embedded, controls, and software-driven systems within complex electromechanical products.
- Strong understanding of system integration involving electrical, controls, embedded, software, and mechanical systems.
- Experience troubleshooting complex industrial, automation, or mobile equipment systems in real-world operating environments.
- Strong hands-on technical aptitude with electrical, controls, or automation systems.
- Familiarity with industrial networking, motion systems, embedded controls, or autonomous technologies.
- Exposure to robotics, navigation systems, fleet management systems, machine vision, or sensor-based technologies.
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Embedded Systems, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent experience.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams, including electrical, mechanical, software, and controls engineering.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing and resolving complex system-level issues.
- Ability to work with third-party suppliers and technology partners to evaluate and integrate new technologies.
- Experience developing and reviewing technical documentation such as system specifications, test procedures, and validation reports.
- Comfort working across the full product lifecycle, including prototype builds, pilot deployments, production launches, and field implementations.
Work Environment
The role operates in a multidisciplinary engineering environment that spans design, integration, testing, and field deployment of autonomous and automation systems. You will work closely with electrical, mechanical, embedded, controls, and software teams, as well as manufacturing, sourcing, operations, suppliers, and customers. The position involves hands-on work with complex electromechanical systems, including embedded controls, motor drives, battery systems, safety systems, industrial I/O, and industrial communication networks such as CANbus, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, TCP/IP, Modbus, and MQTT. The work includes both office-based engineering activities and time in lab, shop, or field settings to support prototype builds, system integration, troubleshooting, and validation of autonomous vehicle platforms and related technologies.
Key skills/competency
- Systems Engineering
- Autonomous Vehicles
- Robotics
- Embedded Systems
- Controls Integration
- System Architecture
- Troubleshooting
- Electromechanical Systems
- Industrial Networking
- Validation & Verification
Skills & topics
- Sr Systems Engineer
- Systems Engineering
- Autonomous Vehicles
- Automation
- Robotics
- Embedded Systems
- Controls Engineering
- System Architecture
- Electromechanical Systems
- Troubleshooting
- Industrial Networking
- CANbus
- EtherCAT
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Validation
- Verification
- Rockford
- MN
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience with electromechanical, robotic, automation, or mobile equipment systems, and specific skills like embedded controls, industrial networking, and troubleshooting.
- Showcase relevant experience: Emphasize your 5+ years of experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Quantify achievements: Use data to demonstrate your impact in previous roles, such as improving system reliability or reducing downtime.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss your experience with system integration, troubleshooting complex issues, and specific communication protocols like CANbus or EtherCAT.
- Highlight collaboration skills: Provide examples of how you've worked effectively with multidisciplinary teams and third-party suppliers.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for a Sr Systems Engineer at Actalent?
- As a Sr Systems Engineer at Actalent, you will be responsible for developing, integrating, and deploying autonomous vehicle and automation platforms. This includes defining and maintaining system architecture, coordinating cross-functional engineering efforts, troubleshooting complex electromechanical and control systems, and supporting the full product lifecycle from development to field deployment.
- What specific technical skills are most important for this Sr Systems Engineer role at Actalent?
- Key technical skills for this role include extensive experience with electromechanical, robotic, automation, or mobile equipment systems, as well as expertise in integrating electrical, embedded, controls, and software-driven systems. Familiarity with industrial networking protocols (CANbus, EtherCAT, etc.), embedded controls, motion systems, and troubleshooting complex issues in real-world environments is crucial.
- What is the expected experience level for the Sr Systems Engineer position at Actalent?
- Actalent is seeking candidates with at least 5 years of experience in developing complex electromechanical, robotic, automation, or mobile equipment systems. A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Embedded Systems, or a related field, or equivalent experience, is also required.
- Can you describe the work environment for a Sr Systems Engineer at Actalent?
- The Sr Systems Engineer will work in a multidisciplinary engineering environment involving design, integration, testing, and field deployment. This includes office-based engineering tasks as well as hands-on work in lab, shop, or field settings, collaborating closely with electrical, mechanical, software, and controls teams, as well as manufacturing, operations, suppliers, and customers.
- What is the salary range for the Sr Systems Engineer position at Actalent?
- The salary range for this Sr Systems Engineer position at Actalent is $110,000.00 to $140,000.00 per year, along with benefits such as 401K match, PTO, and medical benefits.
- Is the Sr Systems Engineer role at Actalent remote, hybrid, or on-site?
- This Sr Systems Engineer position at Actalent is a fully on-site role located in Rockford, MN.
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