Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Controls Engineer
Job Description

The Controls Engineer develops, validates, and standardizes PLC-based control solutions while ensuring alignment with established hardware, software, networking, and cybersecurity standards. This role designs and maintains PLC logic using multiple platforms and programming languages, supports cross-functional teams in deploying data-driven automation solutions, and contributes to continuous improvement through advanced analytics and feedback from manufacturing operations. The Controls Engineer also prepares training materials, supports implementation at manufacturing facilities, and travels regularly to plant sites to assist with pilots, testing, upgrades, and training activities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and standardize PLC logic for controls devices, including data parsing and automation routines.
• Own and update an automated PLC logic generation tool to improve consistency and efficiency in controls development.
• Develop PLC logic using Rockwell, Siemens, and Fanuc platforms, integrating with programming languages such as Python and C++.
• Ensure all newly developed controls solutions comply with common controls hardware and software strategies.
• Ensure controls solutions comply with plant floor systems, networking, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Collaborate with core teams, business stakeholders, IT, automation specialists, and analytics professionals to capture requirements, prioritize work, and plan implementations.
• Support controls, networks, and IT architects in developing and testing controls software and integrating new logic into core PLC templates.
• Create and maintain training documents, standardized work instructions, and reference materials for controls solutions.
• Stay current with industry trends and evaluate opportunities to apply advanced analytics tools within controls and automation solutions.
• Review observations and feedback from manufacturing plants, propose improvement solutions, and communicate enhancements to relevant stakeholders.
• Provide training, guidance, and support to controls execution teams, strategic suppliers, and plant teams as needed.
• Travel to manufacturing facilities as required to support pilots, testing, training sessions, system upgrades, and on-site troubleshooting.

• Proven experience in PLC programming and controls engineering.
• Hands-on experience developing PLC logic on Rockwell, Siemens, and Fanuc platforms.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and C++ for integration with control systems.
• Strong understanding of controls hardware and software strategies and their application in manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of plant floor systems, industrial networking, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including IT, automation, analytics, and plant operations.
• Experience creating and maintaining technical documentation, training materials, and standardized work instructions.
• Ability to analyze feedback and observations from manufacturing operations and translate them into practical improvement solutions.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to manufacturing sites for pilots, tests, trainings, and upgrades.

• Familiarity with advanced analytics tools and their application in industrial automation and controls.
• Experience working with core PLC templates and integrating new logic into standardized architectures.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to support multiple stakeholders across different locations.
• Comfort working in structured environments that follow common controls strategies and standards.

This role is primarily based at a technical center environment with regular collaboration across engineering, IT, automation, and analytics teams. The Controls Engineer works extensively with PLC platforms such as Rockwell, Siemens, and Fanuc, and uses programming languages like Python and C++ to support advanced automation solutions. The position requires frequent travel several times per month to manufacturing facilities to support pilots, testing, system upgrades, and training activities on plant floors. The work environment combines office-based design and documentation tasks with on-site industrial settings that include production equipment, plant floor systems, and networked control systems.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Detroit, MI.

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $39.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Detroit,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 21, 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 ziprecruiter.com 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.