Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

This Controls Engineer role offers the opportunity to design, develop, and implement control systems for custom material handling equipment in a technically challenging and highly varied environment. You will support multiple projects simultaneously, working closely with mechanical and project engineers to adapt existing designs to customer specifications while ensuring high standards of quality, performance, and reliability. The position provides cradle-to-grave involvement in projects, limited travel, and strong potential for growth within a close-knit team.

Responsibilities

• Design and program PLC-based control systems for custom material handling equipment and machinery.
• Develop, configure, and implement HMI systems to provide intuitive operator interfaces.
• Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues, including PLC and HMI-related problems, to ensure reliable operation.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical engineers, project engineers, and other cross-functional team members to ensure overall project success.
• Serve as a liaison between mechanical and project engineering teams, ensuring alignment of controls design with mechanical and project requirements.
• Work on up to 15 projects at various stages of the process, effectively prioritizing tasks and managing time across multiple assignments.
• Adapt existing control system designs and templates to meet specific customer specifications and unique machine requirements.
• Participate in the testing, commissioning, and start-up of control systems, including on-site support as needed.
• Create, review, and maintain accurate electrical schematics and control system documentation using tools such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to enhance system performance, standardization, and maintainability.
• Assist in the design and integration of robotics, hydraulics, and custom machine features where applicable.
• Ensure that all control systems comply with relevant standards, best practices, and internal quality requirements.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience in controls engineer role.
• PLCs programming and troubleshooting experience Allen Bradley or Siemens
• Electrical schematic and design (SolidWorks or AutoCAD)
• Experience developing and implementing HMI systems

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering 
• Robotics experience (Fanuc)
• Hydraulics experience
• Experience with custom material handling equipment or custom machinery

Work Environment

The work environment is close-knit and supportive, with a strong emphasis on treating employees well and putting family needs first. The company offers flexibility with schedules, with typical start times between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM and an average workload of approximately 40 to 45 hours per week. Travel requirements are limited, allowing you to focus primarily on in-house design, development, and support activities. As one of a small number of Controls Engineers, you will have a broad range of responsibilities and significant exposure to many aspects of the business, which is ideal for someone who enjoys variety and wearing multiple hats. The culture values collaboration, open communication, and long-term growth, making it an attractive environment for professionals who appreciate both technical challenge and work-life balance.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Allegan, MI.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Allegan,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 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.