Controls Technician

Job Title: Controls Engineering Specialist - Robotics and Automation
Job Description
The Controls Engineering Specialist will oversee new automation for a high-volume shelving manufacturing line, with a primary focus on robotic welding systems. This role centers on programming, modifying, and troubleshooting Fanuc robotic welding equipment, as well as supporting PLCs and HMIs on a modern, newly expanded production line. The position offers a four-day work week, extensive training and certification opportunities, and strong potential for career growth into leadership roles.
Responsibilities

• Oversee and support new automation systems for a high-volume shelving manufacturing line, with emphasis on robotic welding equipment.
• Develop, modify, and optimize Fanuc robot programs for welding applications to improve performance and efficiency.
• Perform robot teaching, touch-ups, and recovery in active production and pre-commissioning environments.
• Support rapid program adjustments to address production changes, process improvements, and quality issues.
• Troubleshoot robot alarms, motion issues, and sequence ladder logic to minimize downtime and maintain throughput.
• Program, modify, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, and robotics, including both modifications to existing code and some development from scratch.
• Spend approximately 80% of work time on the production floor troubleshooting and programming HMIs, PLCs, and robotics in real-time manufacturing conditions.
• Provide on-floor support during peak programming, commissioning, and start-up periods for new and existing automation cells.
• Support robot cell start-up, offline system work, and commissioning activities as needed.
• Coordinate with controls teams to validate I/O, interlocks, and basic handshaking between robots, PLCs, and other automation equipment.
• Collaborate closely with Quality teams to resolve process issues and implement corrective actions.
• Perform touch-ups and refinements to robot programs to improve weld quality, part accuracy, and repeatability.
• Support containment actions and fast-turn engineering changes during production builds to maintain quality and delivery targets.
• Order parts and materials, prepare funding requests, and complete associated clerical tasks and basic drawings as part of office-based responsibilities (approximately 20% of the role).
• Follow all safety procedures and work safely in active manufacturing and commissioning environments, ensuring compliance with facility standards.
• Work collaboratively with production support and engineering teams on the floor to identify and implement process improvements.

Essential Skills

• At least 2+ years of experience troubleshooting and programming HMIs, PLCs, and robotics, with a focus on modifications and some development from scratch.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting PLCs using a laptop or similar tools to connect, diagnose, and resolve issues.
• Proficiency in PLC programming and troubleshooting, particularly with Rockwell and Studio 5000 platforms.
• Experience with robotics programming and troubleshooting, including Fanuc robotic systems.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve robot alarms, motion issues, and sequence ladder logic problems in a production environment.
• Experience working with automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, and robotic cells in a manufacturing setting.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to work independently on the production floor to resolve technical issues.
• Capability to perform robot teaching, touch-ups, and program adjustments to support production and commissioning.
• Comfort working in active manufacturing environments and following established safety procedures.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with controls, quality, production, and engineering teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Siemens and Mitsubishi PLCs or controls platforms.
• Familiarity with additional robotic platforms such as ABB, Yaskawa, and Omron.
• Exposure to robotic welding applications and robotic weld process optimization.
• Experience with CNC equipment in a manufacturing environment.
• HMI programming and troubleshooting experience beyond basic operation.
• Understanding of sheet metal manufacturing processes is beneficial but not required.
• An Associate's or Bachelor's degree in engineering or technology is strongly preferred but not required.
• Ability to adapt to new equipment and technologies in a rapidly evolving automation environment.
• Interest in ongoing training, certifications, and career development programs.
• Experience from any manufacturing or industrial industry is acceptable.

Work Environment
This role is based in a very large manufacturing facility that produces sheet metal shelving units commonly used in major retail stores. The position is primarily located in a newly built manufacturing area equipped with all-new automated and robotic equipment for a new shelving product line. Engineers will spend most of their time on the production floor, working directly alongside production support teams and engaging hands-on with HMIs, PLCs, and robotic welding cells. The standard schedule is a four-day work week, Monday through Thursday, from 5:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., totaling a 40-hour work week with no required overtime. The work environment is described as flexible, casual, and laid-back, with a casual dress code. The organization emphasizes training and certification opportunities and offers a competitive benefits package, including paid holidays, accrued vacation, medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on the first day of employment during the contract-to-hire period. Upon transition to direct employment, additional benefits may include a 401(k) with employer match, an Employee Assistance Program, educational assistance, career development programs, and company bonus potential. The facility also provides access to an onsite medical center and promotes internal growth, particularly advancing engineers into leadership roles, within a stable company that has maintained a strong market presence and significant industry market share for decades.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Detroit, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $48.00/hr.
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 Detroit,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 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.


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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.