Controls Engineer

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Controls Engineer designs, programs, and supports automated machinery and control systems, ensuring reliable, safe, and efficient operation from initial concept through installation and service. This role focuses on PLC and HMI development, integration of robotics and vision systems, and close collaboration with electrical and mechanical teams to deliver turnkey automation solutions that meet customer requirements and internal standards.

Responsibilities

• Create, update, and troubleshoot PLC ladder logic to meet customer needs and comply with internal standards.

• Develop, modify, and maintain HMI screens and interfaces to provide intuitive, user-friendly machine operation and diagnostics.

• Work with technologies such as cameras, robots, and sensors to ensure all components of automated machines operate smoothly together.

• Test machine sequences and verify that physical components, including switches, actuators, and cylinders, are correctly wired and function properly before deployment.

• Serve as the primary controls programmer on small to mid-sized automation projects, owning the controls portion of the project lifecycle.

• Support project schedules, milestones, and machine build timelines to help keep automation projects on track.

• Maintain clear and organized project documentation, including wire lists, calibration data, technical specifications, and configuration records.

• Review and contribute to machine manuals so customers receive accurate, easy-to-follow documentation for operation and maintenance.

• Support electrical and mechanical technicians during machine builds and debug by answering questions, providing technical guidance, and troubleshooting issues.

• Debug complex control systems and machine sequences to improve reliability, performance, and user experience.

• Travel to customer sites to support machine installation, updates, commissioning, and occasional emergency service calls.

• Participate in and support validation activities such as Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ), particularly in regulated or medical device environments.

• Assist with Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), ensuring systems meet functional, safety, and performance requirements.

• Contribute to system architecture design for turnkey automation systems, including controls strategy, network layout, and integration of robotics, vision, and motion control.

• Support the full automation lifecycle from design support and programming through testing, installation, and ongoing service.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience; Bachelor's degree preferred.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in controls programming or industrial automation.

• Strong PLC programming skills, with proficiency in ladder logic and familiarity with structured text or function block programming.

• Experience with HMI and SCADA development for industrial automation systems.

• Experience working with automated and electrical systems that include robots, vision systems, sensors, drives, AC/DC circuits, PNP/NPN devices, safety circuits, and motion control such as servo and stepper systems.

• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.

• Basic understanding of pneumatic systems and electro-mechanical assemblies.

• Comfortable troubleshooting complex control systems independently, including in customer-facing and field service environments.

• Experience supporting validation activities such as IQ, OQ, and PQ in regulated or medical device settings.

• Ability to support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).

• Familiarity with turnkey automation systems and the full automation lifecycle, from design support and programming through testing, installation, and service.

• Knowledge of SCADA systems, IoT concepts, and Industry 4.0 technologies.

• Understanding of system architecture for integrated automation solutions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Knowledge of user interface (UI) design principles for HMIs to create clear, intuitive operator screens.

• Experience with Rockwell PanelView or Optix HMIs is a plus.

• Familiarity with industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, ProfiNet, DeviceNet, or IO-Link.

• Hands-on experience with vision and inspection systems such as Cognex or Keyence for precision measurement and defect detection.

• Experience integrating and programming industrial robots, including 6-axis and SCARA robots, for pick-and-place or part-feeding applications.

• Exposure to robotic process automation concepts within industrial environments.

• Experience with Cognex vision systems and other industrial vision technologies.

• Interest in or experience with advanced automation trends such as Industry 4.0 and connected factory solutions.

• Participation in an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) or similar ownership-oriented culture is a potential benefit of this type of role.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Westbrook, ME.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $100000.00/yr.

10 days PTO 5 days sick time Employee Stock Plan

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Westbrook,ME.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 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.