Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Electrical/Controls Engineer leads and executes electrical and automation initiatives within a manufacturing environment. This role focuses on optimizing automation systems, improving equipment reliability, increasing operational efficiency, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The engineer manages projects from concept through implementation, provides hands-on technical support on the production floor, collaborates with cross-functional teams, and continuously evaluates system performance to drive productivity and cost savings. This position offers a high-impact, hands-on opportunity to own electrical and automation projects that directly improve safety, uptime, and production performance in a modern, automation-focused facility.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute electrical and automation projects from concept through implementation within a manufacturing environment.
• Design, program, troubleshoot, and provide lifecycle support for PLC and HMI systems.
• Develop and maintain industrial control systems, including drives, sensors, and power distribution.
• Provide hands-on technical support on the production floor to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Optimize automation systems to increase operational efficiency and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Own end-to-end project management for electrical and controls projects, including planning, budgeting, and execution.
• Manage project timelines, costs, scope, and quality while coordinating with vendors and contractors.
• Lead equipment integration, automation upgrades, and infrastructure modifications across production environments.
• Implement process control enhancements to improve process stability and production performance.
• Configure and support industrial networking and communication systems using protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, and Profibus.
• Ensure compliance with NFPA 70E, NEC, OSHA, and other relevant safety and regulatory standards.
• Promote electrical safety and environmental considerations in all project and maintenance activities.
• Collaborate closely with operations, maintenance, IT, EHS, and external contractors to deliver integrated solutions.
• Act as a technical leader on the plant floor, providing guidance and support to cross-functional teams.
• Apply World Class Manufacturing (WCM) or similar continuous improvement methodologies to drive long-term operational excellence.
• Develop, maintain, and update technical documentation, electrical schematics, and project records.
• Use tools such as AutoCAD Electrical, Microsoft Office, Office 365, and Microsoft Project to plan and document work.
• Utilize SAP or similar systems for project and asset management where applicable.
• Support and influence controls standardization efforts and automation upgrades across complex, capital-intensive processes.
• Participate in global or cross-cultural project teams and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing-based electrical and controls engineering experience (10+ years preferred).
• Proven ability to lead technical project teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong proficiency in PLC programming and troubleshooting, including Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Experience with HMI design, programming, troubleshooting, and lifecycle support.
• Hands-on experience with industrial automation and controls engineering, including drives, sensors, power distribution, and industrial control systems.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including planning, budgeting, execution, and vendor coordination.
• Experience integrating manufacturing equipment, implementing automation upgrades, and modifying infrastructure.
• Familiarity with process control enhancements in production environments.
• Knowledge of industrial networking and communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, and Profibus.
• Working knowledge of NFPA 70E, NEC, OSHA, and related safety and regulatory standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability in a fast-paced production setting.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects from start to finish.
• Experience working in global or cross-cultural team environments.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create electrical schematics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Office 365 applications.
• Ability to perform physically active tasks, including standing, walking, squatting, and occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical for creating and updating electrical drawings and schematics.
• Experience with SAP for project and asset management.
• in robotics and automated systems integration.
• Experience with Microsoft Project or similar tools for project scheduling and tracking.
• Knowledge of rubber and/or polymer processing, including mixing, extrusion, curing, and foaming, is preferred.
• Familiarity with World Class Manufacturing (WCM) or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in controls standardization and automation upgrades in complex, capital-intensive manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a technical leader on the plant floor, partnering closely with operations and maintenance teams.

Work Environment

This role is based in a manufacturing facility with frequent presence required on the production floor. The position involves a physically active work style, including standing, walking, squatting, and occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs. Work hours may include project-dependent travel and non-standard schedules to support installations, commissioning, or critical production activities. The environment is highly collaborative, with close interaction among engineering, operations, maintenance, IT, EHS, and external contractors. The facility is a modern manufacturing operation investing in automation upgrades, controls standardization, and continuous improvement across complex, capital-intensive processes. The culture emphasizes structured continuous improvement, equipment reliability, process stability, and long-term operational excellence, offering career stability and growth opportunities with exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies and long-term project visibility.

This is a Contract position based out of Mebane, NC.

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $62.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Mebane,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 15, 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 ziprecruiter.com 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.