SkyWater is partnering with a growing industrial coatings contractor in the Twin Cities to hire an Estimating Manager for their team! Our client installs protective coatings and does surface preparation work for clients across several heavy-industrial sectors. They primarily operate throughout the Central US, and they’re currently in a high growth phase where they’re investing in the people & technology they need to scale. This is an exciting opportunity to build an estimating function from the ground up while leading a small team of 4 direct reports. We’re looking for an Estimating Manager or Sr. Estimator who can build a cost catalog, define the estimating process, and own the estimating function. If you’re looking for a high-visibility leadership role where you can shape how a growing company prices and wins bids, then please submit your resume today to be considered for this opportunity!
Job Location: St. Paul
Accounting Manager
SkyWater is excited to be partnering again with a growing cooperative in the Twin Cities looking to add an Accounting Manager to their team!
Reporting directly to the CFO, this is a broad, hands-on role for someone who enjoys owning the accounting function but also wants exposure well beyond the traditional close. This person will oversee one direct report and have responsibility for financial reporting, AR/AP, member accounting, compliance, audit and accounting systems, while partnering closely across the organization on payroll, operations and process improvement.
They’re looking for 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally including 2+ years of accounting/finance management experience, and someone with strong general accounting knowledge across the full financial statements. More importantly, they want a builder – someone who can connect the dots across the business, identify opportunities to improve processes, and bring a collaborative, people-first approach while still being comfortable driving things forward. There’s also an exciting newer business line that could bring additional inventory and entity complexity as it grows.
If interested in hearing more, please reach out!
CRabon@skywatersearch.com | 952.767.9025
Quality Engineer II
Skywater is seeking a hands-on Quality Engineer II to help stabilize manufacturing processes, reduce defects, and build a more disciplined quality organization with a growing manufacturer in St Paul.
This role will spend approximately 40%–50% of your time on the manufacturing floor, working directly with operators, manufacturing engineers, production leaders, suppliers, and customers to define problems, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions. Setting up quality inspection procedures, product quality criteria, and quality documentation will also be parts of this role
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading 8D, A3, 5 Why, fishbone, and structured root-cause investigations
- Supporting RMAs, customer complaints, containment, and corrective actions
- Improving FPY, PPM, scrap, rework, and cost of poor quality
- Establishing inspection criteria, control plans, and process standards
- Supporting ISO 9001, PPAP, PFMEA, audits, and new-product launches
- Applying blueprint-reading, GD&T, SPC, and process-capability knowledge
The strongest candidates will bring 2–7 years of manufacturing quality, manufacturing engineering, or continuous-improvement experience. Experience with machining, electrical or electromechanical assembly, fluid handling, industrial equipment, or similarly complex manufactured products is preferred.
This environment requires initiative. Processes are still being consolidated, so the successful candidate must be comfortable operating in the gray while helping the company create greater consistency and discipline.
Target compensation is $85,000–$105,000, this is a five-day onsite position with minimal travel
Most importantly, this is an opportunity to be part of a growth transformation. This person will be a part of building quality processes on the production floor and there will be ample opportunities for career growth.
Human Resources Generalist
HR Generalist – College Recruiting & Safety Focus
Saint Paul, MN (Hybrid)
$75,000 – $85,000 (flexible to ~$90K for the right candidate)
Our client, a growing distribution company with ~250 employees/contractors across seven states, is adding an HR Generalist to their team. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role reporting directly to the HR leader. You’ll get exposure to nearly every facet of HR while owning two key programs: college recruiting and safety.
The Role
This is roughly 70% tactical HR generalist work, 30% program ownership. You won’t be the HR business partner for senior leadership, but you’ll have real autonomy over a well-established college recruiting pipeline and the safety program, with meaningful room to grow into additional areas (benefits strategy, culture initiatives, and more) as you show interest and aptitude.
What You’ll Own:
- A well-established rotational entry-level sales pipeline program (multiple hires per year): partnering with engineering schools across the Upper Midwest, attending career fairs, and building lasting relationships that create a real talent pipeline (not just a fair-attendance calendar)
- Safety program leadership: managing workers’ comp, coordinating OSHA/insurance inspections, biannual training, and first responder certification. Low-risk distribution environment, well-supported by a dedicated safety team.
Senior Financial Analyst
Are you a data-driven problem solver who loves turning complex operational challenges into clear, actionable insights? We’re looking for a Senior Financial Analyst to drive workforce strategy and operational analytics across customer service and operational teams.
In this role, you’ll connect finance, operations, and workforce planning to help leaders answer questions like: Where are the bottlenecks? Are staffing, process, or productivity issues slowing us down? How can we optimize resources to improve service and revenue?
Only candidates located in Minnesota will be considered.
Controls Engineer
SUMMARY
The Controls Engineer III is responsible for developing innovative automation solutions for packaging machinery. This role provides leadership to a cross-functional team of mechanical and controls engineers, assembly technicians, and validation staff in a matrix organization, with an emphasis on new product development and engineering for commercial products. Working closely with the Electrical Engineering Manager, this individual specifies new equipment in alignment with market needs.
This job description highlights the primary responsibilities and authority of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
New Machinery Development
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Create new machinery concepts, including automation specifications, configuration options, and cost targets for prototype systems.
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Estimate time and material requirements for new machinery quotes.
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Direct concept development using test rigs and components.
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Present specifications for milestone reviews and maintain updated documentation.
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Report project deviations, risks, and cost variances to the Electrical Engineering Manager.
Engineering of New Equipment and Machinery Lines
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Develop automation platforms, control architectures, electrical assemblies, schematics, and bills of material (BOMs).
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Design control cabinet layouts, conduit systems, and program HMI, PLC, and robotic control software.
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Document BOMs and ensure accuracy for product configuration.
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Manage and record all Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).
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Lead technical design reviews to ensure peer review and knowledge sharing.
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Ensure compliance with all applicable safety standards (OSHA, EU Machinery Directive, and local authorities) and integrate safety risk assessments.
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Provide project management and technical leadership from order entry through field testing.
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Serve as the technical liaison with customers, sales, and project management, communicating specifications, project plans, and change orders.
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Direct assembly and validation staff during build and test phases.
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Partner with sales, project management, and service teams to resolve technical field issues.
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Upon field test completion, transfer prototype documentation to the commercial engineering team.
Process Improvement and Knowledge Sharing
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Mentor colleagues in machinery development practices and serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in key competency areas.
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Support refinement of the product development process to improve lead times, cost efficiency, quality, and safety.
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Stay current on automation technologies and share insights with the engineering team.
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Report machine performance and safety concerns to the Electrical Engineering Manager.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
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Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, or associate degree in Engineering with 7+ years of relevant experience designing and programming PLC, HMI, and servo control systems.
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Experience with high-speed servo-driven machinery required.
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Familiarity with Allen-Bradley (AB) and Fanuc PLC systems.
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Proficiency with Rockwell Automation software and hardware (RSLogix5000, ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PowerFlex VFDs, Kinetix servo drives, PanelView HMIs) preferred.
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5+ years of AutoCAD experience in schematic generation required.
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Experience with 3D parametric CAD and Product Data Management (PDM) systems preferred.
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Prior exposure to packaging or cam-driven machinery preferred.
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Experience specifying robotics and pick-and-place systems preferred.
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Project management and customer-facing experience strongly preferred.
TECHNICAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES
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Capable of designing and managing control systems for machinery and integrated packaging lines.
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Strong ability to read, analyze, and troubleshoot electrical schematics and engineering software.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.
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Skilled in mentoring and leading design and project teams.
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Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and critical thinking abilities.
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Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
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Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, with individuals and groups at all levels, internal and external.
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Works collaboratively with cross-functional teams and demonstrates flexibility in partnering with diverse personalities.
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Contributes to team problem-solving by suggesting ideas and resolving issues constructively.
