Controls Engineer

Job Title: Controls Engineer (Contract-to-Hire)Job Description

This contract-to-hire Controls Engineer role offers the opportunity to take ownership of controls projects from concept through completion for a medium-sized material handling organization in the Rockford area. You will primarily focus on software, including PLC and HMI programming, while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams and customers to deliver automated palletizing and material handling solutions. The position offers significant technical autonomy, exposure to modern tools and systems, and the potential to transition into a long-term strategic role as the business continues to grow.

Responsibilities

• Own the controls portion of projects from initial concept through commissioning and completion.

• Develop PLC programs from scratch, primarily using Allen-Bradley platforms, leveraging libraries where appropriate while ensuring custom solutions meet project requirements.

• Design, configure, and program HMIs, ensuring intuitive operator interfaces and robust functionality.

• Read, edit, and create redlines within AutoCAD Electrical schematics to support design, troubleshooting, and documentation.

• Program industrial robots such as Yaskawa Motoman or Fanuc for palletizing and other automated applications, including pattern changes and system adjustments.

• Work within an ERP system (such as EPICOR) to manage project data, documentation, and workflow, ensuring accurate and timely updates.

• Collaborate closely with internal teams, including sales, project management, mechanical engineering, technicians, and electricians, to carry projects to successful completion.

• Travel to customer sites approximately 25-50% of the time (typically 30-40%) for commissioning, troubleshooting, and support activities.

• Interface directly with customers at their facilities, clearly explaining solutions, setting expectations, and maintaining strong professional relationships.

• Effectively communicate and manage scope changes at customer sites, such as expanded pattern change requests on palletizing systems, while maintaining project deadlines and deliverables.

• Participate in troubleshooting and resolving controls, electrical, and robotics issues both on-site and remotely.

• Support the design portion of projects when desired, contributing to electrical and controls design activities.

• Document controls logic, HMI configurations, and system changes thoroughly to support future maintenance and upgrades.

• Provide feedback and continuous improvement ideas related to controls standards, libraries, and processes.

• Work under the guidance of the engineering leadership team while contributing independently to multiple concurrent projects.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience programming PLCs from scratch using Allen-Bradley platforms.

• Ability to read, edit, and create redlines within AutoCAD Electrical drawings and schematics.

• Experience working within an ERP system (EPICOR or similar) to support project execution and documentation.

• Ability to program industrial robots such as Motoman or Fanuc; proficiency in at least one of these is required.

• Comfort with 25-50% travel, typically around 30-40% of working days, to support customer sites and project needs.

• Demonstrated customer interface experience, including explaining technical solutions and setting expectations with stakeholders.

• Approximately 4-5 years of applicable controls engineering experience if no degree, or at least 2 years of experience with a BSEE.

• Hands-on experience with controls engineering, including automation, palletizing systems, robotics, and electrical troubleshooting.

• Proficiency in HMI programming and working with HMI platforms in an industrial environment.

• Experience with PLC troubleshooting, including diagnosing and resolving controls and electrical issues in the field.

• Ability to interpret and work from electrical schematics and related documentation.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to collaborate with internal teams and customers.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects while maintaining focus on quality and deadlines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) is preferred.

• For candidates without a BSEE, 4-5 years of relevant controls engineering experience is desired; for candidates with a BSEE, at least 2 years of experience is desired.

• Experience with electrical design in addition to controls programming.

• Familiarity with Rockwell Automation platforms and Allen-Bradley PLCs beyond basic programming.

• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical for electrical design and documentation.

• Background in designing and supporting palletizing and material handling automation systems.

• Strong troubleshooting mindset and ability to diagnose complex controls, robotics, and electrical issues.

• Interest in participating in both software and design aspects of projects, with flexibility to expand responsibilities over time.

• Willingness to attend advanced technical training sponsored by the company to further develop controls and robotics skills.

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a larger engineering and project team.

Work Environment

The role begins as a 9-month contract-to-hire position with the intention of making a strategic long-term hire, subject to ongoing workload. You will report into an engineering leadership structure that supports a team of approximately two dozen professionals across different groups. The work environment emphasizes flexibility, family-first values, and mutual respect for work-life balance. Flexible start and end times are supported, and work-from-home options may be available after the first few months, depending on project needs and circumstances. The headquarters facility is modern and up to date, featuring large windows, collaboration spaces, and a recently added office area. The shop floor is very clean and temperature-controlled, with large doors that can open to bring in fresh air and maintain a comfortable working environment when conditions require. When not traveling, you can expect to split your time between the shop floor and desk work, with a slight emphasis on desk-based programming and design tasks. Travel accounts for approximately 25-50% of working days (typically 30-40%), scheduled 2-3 weeks in advance, with trips that can last up to around 10 days at a time. While traveling, you will work at customer sites to commission equipment, implement changes, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with customer teams. The organization invests in high-level training, including for contractors, and fosters a culture where new ideas and process improvements are welcome under a forward-thinking engineering leadership.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockford, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $42.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Rockford,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.