Entry Level Controls Engineer

Job Title: Entry-Level Controls Engineer
Job Description
The Automation Technician maintains, troubleshoots, validates, and supports laboratory automation systems to ensure efficient, reliable, and compliant laboratory operations. This role serves as the primary first-line automation support resource and collaborates closely with laboratory operations, quality, engineering, and external vendors to keep critical equipment running smoothly and to drive continuous improvement across multiple laboratory sites.
Responsibilities

• Perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, calibration, and operational checks on laboratory automation systems to ensure reliable performance.
• Troubleshoot automation hardware, software, instrumentation, and process issues to minimize downtime and maintain consistent laboratory operations.
• Support the installation, setup, qualification, and validation of new automation platforms, equipment upgrades, and associated control systems.
• Assist with technical investigations, root cause analyses, deviation reviews, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions related to automation systems.
• Maintain and support automated liquid handling systems, robotic platforms, thermal control devices, and a wide range of laboratory instrumentation.
• Configure automation software, execute methods, perform system backups, and support approved programming modifications to meet operational needs.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation for maintenance, calibration, validation, and change control activities in accordance with internal procedures.
• Coordinate with Quality, Engineering, Operations, and external vendors to support equipment reliability, performance, and timely issue resolution.
• Monitor automation system performance, identify trends, and recommend continuous improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency and reliability.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and data integrity requirements in all automation-related activities.
• Stay current with evolving laboratory automation technologies, tools, and best practices and apply them to improve existing systems.
• Support the standardization, deployment, and optimization of automation solutions across multiple laboratory sites.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 3 years of experience supporting an automation environment.
• Proven experience maintaining and troubleshooting automated equipment in a laboratory or production setting.
• Hands-on experience with automation systems, including robotics, automated liquid handling systems, and laboratory instrumentation.
• Automation and PLC programming experience, including diagnostics and troubleshooting.
• Experience with PLC and controls diagnostics, including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, and HMI interfaces.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot electro-mechanical systems such as motors, sensors, gearboxes, and pneumatics.
• Experience in troubleshooting and maintaining conveyor systems and filler machines.
• Strong in preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and root cause analysis.
• Robotics troubleshooting and maintenance experience in an automation environment.
• Electrical troubleshooting skills related to automation and control systems.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities to resolve complex automation issues.
• Excellent documentation practices for maintenance, calibration, validation, and change control activities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Effective cross-functional communication skills to collaborate with operations, quality, engineering, and vendors.
• Ability to work independently while actively supporting larger cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Validation and qualification experience for laboratory automation systems and equipment.
• Knowledge of change control processes and deviation management in a regulated environment.
• Exposure to regulated laboratory environments and associated compliance expectations.
• Familiarity with laboratory automation workflows and sample handling processes.
• Experience supporting validated systems and computerized laboratory equipment.
• Interest in staying current with cutting-edge laboratory automation, robotics, diagnostics, and medical technology.
• Motivation to contribute to technology that advances healthcare and laboratory operations worldwide.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing technical development, training, and career growth

Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Mebane, NC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $38.00/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 Mebane,NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 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.