Electrical Controls Engineer

Job Title: Electrical Controls Engineer

Job Description

This position involves up to 20% travel and requires experience with PLC programming and Variable Speed Drives. The role focuses on motion control, specifically controls engineering, and requires a solid understanding of drive theory.

Responsibilities

• Engineer custom motor control systems for Paper Converting and Metal Processing systems, including the creation of Power Distribution Diagrams, Network Distribution Diagrams, bills of materials, and Electrical schematics.

• Investigate and employ new components and technologies for system use.

• Assess designs continually and investigate alternative components for cost savings, quality improvement, and certification requirements.

• Assist sales engineers in providing accurate quotes.

• Specify variable frequency drives, PLCs, HMIs, and networking components for customer applications.

• Program PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs.

• Serve as technical lead for PC and MP engineered systems throughout the development cycle.

• Guide system CAD designers through panel design and participate in system design reviews.

• Work with the in-house panel shop to ensure proper panel build and provide necessary guidance.

• Confirm system design and panel build meet certification requirements (UL508A, CE, IEEE, etc.).

• Guide and assist in test floor checkout of PC/MP systems.

• Provide expert remote and on-site support for commissioning and field issues.

• Ensure compliance with all safety and work rules and regulations.

• Verify conformance of components and systems to customer specifications.

• Complete load, voltage, amperage, and heat calculations to ensure proper design.

• Work with Purchasing and Vendors to evaluate alternate components and materials.

• Monitor material costs to ensure implementation of lowest cost solutions.

• Troubleshoot application issues or systems field for customer-deployed systems.

• Assist in capturing and documenting customer requirements and translate them into design and manufacturing specifications.

• Help define design standards for the Systems Engineering team.

• Support Aftermarket/Service team as needed and participate in on-call rotation for after-hours phone service support.

• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience with VFD/drives.

• 5+ years of PLC programming from scratch, preferably with AB or Siemens.

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years of relevant experience.

• Strong experience in SolidWorks tools and their application in system design.

• Experience with design of motor control and test systems.

• Understanding of motion control theory and algorithms.

• Good understanding of electric machines and motor control.

• Knowledge of electric power distribution components such as transformers, filters, and circuit breakers.

• Familiarity with PLCs, HMIs, networking, embedded controllers, and data acquisition systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with electrical schematic drawing packages like AutoCAD, Solidworks Electrical, Eplan.

• Knowledge of UL and CE standards related to industrial control panels.

• Expertise in industrial control panel system design.

• Experience with electrical system packaging containing transformers, contactors, circuit breakers, VFD/PLCs, etc.

• Effective communication skills (oral, written, and listening) and ability to collaborate with a diverse group of professionals.

• Organized, proactive, and deadline-driven with the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks efficiently.

• Self-starter capable of operating effectively with minimal supervision.

• Strong commitment to customer service and teamwork.

• Ability to read electrical schematics and component specification sheets.

• Structured and conscientious approach ensuring high-quality and timely deliverables.

• Ability to deal with ambiguity and work under time pressure.

Work Environment

The position is located onsite in Franksville, WI.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Franksville, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $130000.00/yr.

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.

Unico offers PTO, holiday & vacation pay, health dental and vision insurance, amongst many more

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Franksville, WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 3, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Franksville,WI.

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.