Controls Engineer

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Controls Engineer supports the design, development, programming, and deployment of automation and control systems for engineered solutions within the water technologies sector. This role translates process requirements into reliable electrical and control system architectures that deliver safe, compliant, and high‑performing solutions for water treatment applications. The Controls Engineer works across the full project lifecycle-from design and documentation through testing, commissioning, and operational support-while collaborating closely with process, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams, fabrication partners, and pilot commissioning teams to deliver robust and scalable automation solutions. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to an innovative, strategic new product within a startup‑style environment backed by a well‑established organization.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement automation and control systems for water treatment applications, ensuring safety, reliability, and performance requirements are met.
• Translate process requirements into robust electrical and control system architectures that support engineered solutions within the water technologies business.
• Program, configure, and test industrial control systems, including PLCs and HMIs, to support process‑based operations.
• Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation such as electrical schematics, I/O lists, control diagrams, HMI descriptions, operation documents, and system specifications.
• Collaborate closely with process, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams to integrate control systems seamlessly into overall system designs.
• Work with fabrication partners to ensure control panels and associated electrical components are designed, built, and installed according to specifications and standards.
• Support pilot and full‑scale commissioning activities, including system testing, troubleshooting, and performance verification at job sites and partner locations.
• Provide operational support for deployed control systems, including diagnosing issues, implementing corrective actions, and optimizing system performance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable electrical, control, safety, and industrial standards throughout the design and implementation process.
• Contribute to the development of a strategic new product by providing input on control system architecture, scalability, and standardization.
• Travel to job sites, vendor facilities, and other locations as needed to support design reviews, factory acceptance tests, site commissioning, and technical support activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience in industrial control systems within process‑based environments, including PLC design, programming, and troubleshooting.
• Experience in HMI design, configuration, and troubleshooting for industrial applications.
• Strong knowledge of electrical engineering principles and control system design.
• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols used in automation and control systems.
• Knowledge of applicable safety standards related to electrical and control systems in industrial environments.
• Ability to produce, interpret, and maintain technical documentation such as schematics, I/O lists, control diagrams, detailed HMI description and operation documents, and system specifications.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve control system and electrical issues in the field and during commissioning.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 15-25% of the time to job sites, vendors, or other company locations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in water technologies, water treatment, or other process‑based industries.
• Experience working with control panels, including specification and integration of electrical components.
• Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary engineering teams and with external fabrication partners.
• Interest in contributing to strategic new product development in an innovative, startup‑style environment within a larger corporate structure.

Work Environment

The Controls Engineer works in a mixed office, engineering, and field environment that supports the development and deployment of automation and control systems for water treatment applications. Day‑to‑day work involves using engineering and design tools to create electrical schematics, control diagrams, and technical documentation, as well as programming and testing PLCs and HMIs. The role includes collaboration with process, mechanical, and electrical engineers, as well as coordination with fabrication partners and pilot commissioning teams. The position requires periodic travel, approximately 15-25% of the time, to job sites, vendor facilities, and other company locations to support design reviews, testing, commissioning, and operational support activities. The environment combines the agility of an innovative startup setting with the stability and resources of a long‑standing organization, offering exposure to strategic new product development and advanced water technology solutions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Colmar, PA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $130000.00/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 Colmar,PA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.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.