Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Controls Engineer provides hands-on controls engineering and technical support for automated manufacturing lines in a pilot-through-volume production environment. This role focuses on PLC programming, HMI/SCADA development, machine build and commissioning, and ongoing production support to ensure high equipment uptime and reliable data connectivity across the line.

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC logic on platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or similar, while adhering to established controls standards.
• Build and maintain HMI screens and SCADA applications using tools such as Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC, or equivalent to provide real-time line visibility, alarms, and production data.
• Support machine build and assembly, including mechanical and electrical assembly, panel and I/O wiring, sensor and actuator mounting, and preparing equipment for initial power-up.
• Verify that machines are built to specification and comply with controls, electrical, and safety standards, perform checkout against acceptance criteria, and document conformance and punch-list items.
• Own machine uptime by monitoring equipment health, responding quickly to faults and downtime events, and keeping production lines running efficiently.
• Lead or support commissioning and bring-up activities, including station and line bring-up, FAT/SAT, wiring checkout, I/O verification, sequence testing, and cycle-time tuning.
• Integrate and program industrial robots and automation cells, such as Fanuc, KUKA, or ABB, including safety circuit checkout and validation.
• Provide daily production support by troubleshooting live equipment issues, performing root-cause analysis, and implementing countermeasures to improve uptime, mean time to repair (MTTR), and mean time between failures (MTBF).
• Interface equipment with manufacturing execution systems (MES), such as Ignition or similar platforms, validate data exchange, and support traceability, build-data and test-result capture, and connectivity using OPC-UA, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electrical and controls documentation, including drawings, commissioning checklists, and troubleshooting knowledge bases.
• For technician-level assignments, focus more heavily on panel build, wiring and I/O checkout, field troubleshooting, and hands-on commissioning support.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated experience in PLC programming, modification, and troubleshooting across multiple platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, Beckhoff TwinCAT, or similar systems.
• Strong proficiency in PLC troubleshooting to quickly diagnose and resolve controls-related issues on automated equipment.
• Hands-on experience with HMI development, including building and maintaining operator interfaces for real-time monitoring and control.
• Experience working with SCADA systems to configure alarms, trends, and production data visualization for automated manufacturing lines.
• Ability to support mechanical and electrical assembly, including panel wiring, I/O wiring, and sensor and actuator installation.
• Knowledge of controls, electrical, and safety standards applicable to automated manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with commissioning activities such as wiring checkout, I/O verification, sequence testing, and cycle-time optimization.
• Familiarity with industrial robots and automation cells, including programming and integration of systems such as Fanuc, KUKA, or ABB.
• Capability to perform root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve equipment uptime and reliability.
• Experience interfacing automation equipment with MES platforms and configuring data connectivity using OPC-UA, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET.
• Ability to create, read, and maintain electrical and controls documentation, including schematics and technical checklists.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC, or similar HMI/SCADA software for advanced visualization and data handling.
• Experience in pilot-through-volume production environments, with an understanding of scaling automation from initial deployment to high-volume manufacturing.
• Exposure to FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) and SAT (Site Acceptance Testing) processes for automated equipment.
• Experience supporting traceability, build-data capture, and test-result logging within MES-integrated production systems.
• Comfort working in technician-level capacities when needed, with emphasis on panel build, wiring, field troubleshooting, and hands-on commissioning.
• Strong documentation skills, including the ability to develop and maintain troubleshooting guides and knowledge bases.

Work Environment

The role is based in a highly automated pilot-through-volume production environment focused on building, commissioning, and supporting advanced manufacturing lines. You work directly on and around production equipment, supporting mechanical and electrical assembly, panel build, and station and line bring-up. The environment relies on modern industrial technologies including PLCs (Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, Beckhoff TwinCAT), HMI/SCADA platforms (Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC), industrial robots (Fanuc, KUKA, ABB), and connectivity protocols such as OPC-UA, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET. Work involves hands-on interaction with machinery during commissioning, troubleshooting, and production support, with a focus on equipment uptime, safety, and reliable data flow across the manufacturing systems.

This is a Contract position based out of Wilmington, MA.

The pay range for this position is $76.00 - $78.00/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)

This is a Contract position based out of Wilmington, MA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Wilmington,MA.

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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

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

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

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.