Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Controls Engineer Job Description

The Controls Engineer will design, program, commission, and troubleshoot complex industrial automation systems, including collaborative and SCARA robots, Allen-Bradley PLCs, HMIs, servo drives, and custom machine interfaces. After onboarding, this role will independently own controls projects, working closely with mechanical designers and electrical engineers to develop machine sequences, write PLC code, and support full system integration. Success in this position requires strong troubleshooting abilities, logical problem-solving skills, and the ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams in an industrial environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and troubleshoot PLC-based automation systems for machinery and robotic applications.
• Program, modify, and optimize PLC logic to support machine operation, safety, and performance.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical designers and electrical engineers to understand system functionality, requirements, and constraints.
• Review and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams to ensure accurate controls implementation.
• Develop detailed machine sequences and document operational logic for use in programming, commissioning, and maintenance.
• Configure, develop, and support HMI applications to provide intuitive operator interfaces and system diagnostics.
• Support commissioning, testing, debugging, and validation activities for new and modified automation systems.
• Troubleshoot controls, electrical, robotic, and automation issues, identifying root causes and implementing effective corrective actions.
• Assist with continuous improvement of controls standards, programming practices, and documentation.
• Participate in customer demonstrations, factory acceptance tests (FATs), and system startup activities as needed.
• Work with sensors, actuators, and industrial control hardware to ensure reliable and safe machine operation.
• Contribute to the integration of servo drives, motion control components, and custom machine interfaces where applicable.

Essential Skills

• Experience programming PLCs in an industrial automation environment, typically 3–7+ years of controls engineering experience.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot automated machinery and controls systems in a production or machine builder setting.
• Solid understanding of machine sequencing and core industrial automation concepts.
• Strong logical problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with a methodical approach to diagnosing issues.
• Hands-on experience working with sensors, actuators, and industrial control hardware.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision after onboarding, taking ownership of controls projects.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms (highly preferred) and familiarity with Omron PLCs.
• Comfort collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams, including mechanical and electrical disciplines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Industrial robotics experience, particularly with collaborative robots (cobots) and SCARA robots.
• Exposure to robot platforms such as Fanuc, ABB, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, and similar systems.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley HMI development and configuration.
• Servo drive programming and integration experience in motion control applications.
• General motion controls experience, including tuning and coordinating multi-axis systems.
• Machine commissioning and startup experience, including on-site integration and support.
• Industrial networking experience, such as configuring and troubleshooting Ethernet-based control networks.
• C# programming skills for custom tools or machine interfaces.
• Experience using Visual Studio for software development related to automation systems.
• Background in manufacturing or machine building environments, supporting complex machinery and automation projects.
• Experience developing custom machine interfaces that enhance usability and diagnostics.

Work Environment

The Controls Engineer will work in an industrial automation environment that blends office-based design and programming tasks with hands-on work around machinery, robotics, and control systems on the shop floor and at customer sites. The role involves regular interaction with mechanical and electrical engineering teams, as well as participation in commissioning, testing, debugging, and factory acceptance testing. The engineer will work with technologies such as PLCs (primarily Allen-Bradley), HMIs, industrial robots, servo drives, motion control components, sensors, actuators, and industrial networking equipment. The environment requires attention to safety when working around live equipment and machinery, and may involve occasional travel for system startup and customer demonstrations. Work hours typically follow standard engineering schedules, with flexibility to support commissioning and startup activities as needed.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Exton, PA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $60.00/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 Exton,PA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 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 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 us.fitly.work 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.