Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

This Controls Engineering role designs, programs, debugs, and supports automated systems and automation equipment used in production. This role provides electrical design input, contributes to concept development, and supports infrastructure, programming, and design initiatives within the facility. The engineer offers expert troubleshooting assistance on electrical and controls equipment to resolve issues and capture meaningful data, while helping set standards for new control equipment and driving continuous improvement and technology adoption across the business.

Responsibilities

• Design electrical systems and machine controls for automated production equipment.
• Program, debug, and support PLCs, robots, HMIs, and related electrical control systems for production automation.
• Provide electrical design input and participate in concept and development efforts for new and existing equipment.
• Support infrastructure, programming, and design activities to improve production processes and equipment reliability.
• Troubleshoot electrical and controls equipment to resolve issues, minimize downtime, and gather data for root cause analysis.
• Collaborate closely with management, machine operators, supervisors, and other engineers to implement effective automation solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance control systems and automation performance.
• Assist in setting standards for new control equipment and help integrate new technologies into existing business frameworks.
• Apply project management skills to plan, coordinate, and execute automation and controls projects.
• Work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining clear communication and documentation of design and programming work.

Essential Skills

• At least 4 years of experience working as a controls engineer or in a closely related role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Technology, or Mechatronics; an associate degree in an engineering field combined with relevant experience may be considered.
• Strong electrical design skills with experience in machine design and electrical machine controls.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical for creating and modifying electrical schematics and documentation.
• Hands-on PLC programming experience, including formal training or extensive experience with platforms such as Mitsubishi and OMRON CJ & NJ.
• Experience working with industrial robots, including formal training or extensive experience with RC8 robot controllers.
• Ability to program, configure, and support Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems.
• Solid understanding of electrical controls, automation systems, and production equipment.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing complex electrical and controls issues.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in machine design with a focus on electrical aspects of automated equipment.
• Project management experience related to automation, controls, or engineering projects.
• Ability to help establish standards for new control equipment and ensure consistency across systems.
• Comfort working in a collaborative team environment with engineers, operators, supervisors, and leadership.
• Capability to transition new technologies into existing production and business processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting designs, programs, and troubleshooting activities.
• Holiday and vacation benefits available as part of the overall compensation package.

Work Environment

This role operates primarily in an office setting located in Maryville, supporting production and automation activities within the facility. The position involves minimal travel to other plants within the southern sub-region. Work is performed using tools such as AutoCAD Electrical, PLC programming environments, robot controllers, and HMI development software. The environment is collaborative and engineering-focused, with regular interaction among engineers, operators, supervisors, and leadership to support production automation and continuous improvement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Maryville, TN.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $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)

This is a fully onsite position in Maryville,TN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 26, 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 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.