Controls Engineer

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

This position offers an experienced Controls Engineer the opportunity to join a growing machine builder and contribute immediately to active projects in an industrial automation environment. You will work with Allen-Bradley PLCs and Fanuc robotics, support current installations with minimal guidance, and eventually own projects from concept through commissioning. The role combines hands-on controls design, programming, and field support, with significant travel to customer sites and clear potential to advance into higher-level leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and install machine controls and operator interfaces for automated equipment.

• Program, edit, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs on systems that are already through the design phase.

• Develop, modify, and optimize Fanuc robotics programs, including integration with PLC-controlled systems.

• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware and software issues on automated equipment, both in-house and at customer sites.

• Use AutoCAD Electrical to create, review, and update electrical schematics and panel layouts.

• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical teams to ensure seamless system integration and reliable machine performance.

• Support cradle-to-grave project work over time, including concept development, design, programming, testing, installation, and commissioning.

• Travel to customer sites approximately 40% of the time to perform installation, startup, troubleshooting, and customer support.

• Apply mechanical aptitude to understand machine operation, diagnose issues, and recommend improvements.

• Maintain documentation of programs, schematics, and changes to ensure accurate records and knowledge transfer.

• Adhere to safety standards and support production efficiency and reliability goals in all controls and automation work.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience working as a Controls Engineer in an industrial automation environment.

• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLCs, including editing and troubleshooting existing programs.

• Hands-on experience with Fanuc robotics programming and integration with automated equipment.

• Strong troubleshooting skills for both hardware and software issues on automated systems.

• Ability to work independently and be self-sufficient, with minimal supervision on active projects.

• Proficiency in PLC programming, including developing logic from scratch.

• Experience using AutoCAD Electrical for designing and updating electrical schematics.

• Mechanical aptitude to understand machine operation and interact effectively with mechanical systems.

• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 40% of the time, including overnight trips.

• Valid U.S. passport to support travel requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in industrial automation, machine building, or supporting automated manufacturing systems.

• Experience in system integration, including coordinating PLCs, robotics, and related control hardware.

• Familiarity with reading, creating, and maintaining detailed electrical and mechanical schematics.

• Interest in growing into higher-level leadership responsibilities within a machine-building organization.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Work Environment

The role is based in an industrial automation setting focused on machine building and supporting automated manufacturing systems. You will work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that emphasizes troubleshooting, system integration, and meeting production efficiency and safety standards. The position involves approximately 40% travel, with ebbs and flows that may include periods of several months without travel and occasional stretches of up to two weeks of overnight travel at a time. While traveling, all expenses are covered, and a daily per diem and hourly travel premium apply. You will regularly work with technologies such as Allen-Bradley PLCs, Fanuc robotics, and AutoCAD Electrical, and you will spend time both on the shop floor and at customer sites commissioning and supporting automated equipment.

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.

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 Grand Rapids,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 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.