Controls Engineer

Job Title: Controls Engineer
Job Description

This role offers an experienced Controls Engineer the opportunity to join a growing machine builder and contribute immediately to active automation projects. You will work with Allen-Bradley PLCs and Fanuc robotics, support existing systems with minimal guidance, and gradually take ownership of full lifecycle projects from concept through commissioning.
The position involves significant travel to customer sites, where you will install, program, and troubleshoot automated equipment in a fast-paced, collaborative industrial environment.

• Opportunity for growth at a growing local organization

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and install machine controls and user interfaces for automated equipment
• Edit, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs on projects that are already through the design phase
• Develop, modify, and integrate Fanuc robotics programs, including commissioning
• Diagnose hardware and software issues on automation systems, including PLCs, robotics, and related control components.
• Read, interpret, and work from electrical schematics and mechanical drawings to support system installation, wiring, and debugging.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical team members to integrate controls with machine build activities and automated manufacturing systems.
• Apply strong mechanical aptitude to understand machine operation, identify root causes of issues, and implement effective solutions.

Travel : approx. 40%

• Half the travel in WMI typically, there are ebbs and flows of travel, could go months at a time without traveling
• 2 weeks max gone for overnight travel
• All travel expenses paid and booked by company
• $60/day per diem
• +6/hour premium while traveling

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience working as a Controls Engineer
• Allen Bradley PLC programming (editing/troubleshooting good)
• Hands-on experience with Fanuc robotics programming and integration into automated systems.
• Ability to work independently on controls projects
• Valid U.S. passport to support domestic and international travel requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• PLC programming from scratch - Allen Bradley
• Robotics programming
• Electrical schematics Design - AutoCAD Electrical

Work Environment

You will work in an industrial automation environment focused on machine building. Fast paced and highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on troubleshooting, system integration, and meeting production efficiency and safety standards.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Grand Rapids, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $45.00/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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Grand Rapids,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 1, 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 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.