Controls Engineer

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

This role offers an experienced Controls Engineer the opportunity to join a growing machine builder and contribute immediately to active automation projects. You will work with Allen-Bradley PLCs and Fanuc robotics, support existing systems with minimal guidance, and gradually take ownership of full lifecycle projects from concept through commissioning. The position involves significant travel to customer sites, where you will install, program, and troubleshoot automated equipment in a fast-paced, collaborative industrial environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and install machine controls and user interfaces for automated equipment and manufacturing systems.
• Program, edit, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs on projects that are already through the design phase, ensuring reliable system performance.
• Develop, modify, and integrate Fanuc robotics programs, including commissioning and on-site adjustments to meet customer requirements.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues on automation systems, including PLCs, robotics, and related control components.
• Read, interpret, and work from electrical schematics and mechanical drawings to support system installation, wiring, and debugging.
• Use AutoCAD Electrical to create, update, and maintain electrical design documentation for control systems.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical team members to integrate controls with machine build activities and automated manufacturing systems.
• Support cradle-to-grave project work over time, including design, programming, testing, installation, and commissioning of new equipment.
• Travel to customer sites to install, start up, and support automated equipment, providing on-site troubleshooting and technical guidance.
• Apply strong mechanical aptitude to understand machine operation, identify root causes of issues, and implement effective solutions.
• Maintain a focus on production efficiency, system reliability, and safety standards while supporting and improving automated systems.
• Communicate clearly with customers and internal stakeholders to understand requirements, provide status updates, and ensure successful project outcomes.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of experience working as a Controls Engineer in an industrial automation or machine build environment.
• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLCs, including editing and troubleshooting existing programs in a production or project setting.
• Hands-on experience with Fanuc robotics programming and integration into automated systems.
• Strong PLC programming skills, including the ability to program PLCs from scratch for new applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal guidance and quickly contribute to in-progress projects.
• Experience using AutoCAD Electrical to design and document electrical control systems.
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand machine operation, mechanisms, and how controls interact with mechanical components.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and mechanical drawings for troubleshooting and implementation.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for both hardware and software issues in controls and automation systems.
• Valid U.S. passport to support domestic and international travel requirements.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 40% of the time, including overnight travel as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting automated manufacturing systems in an industrial automation setting.
• Background in system integration, including coordinating PLCs, robotics, and other automation components.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment focused on meeting production efficiency and safety standards.
• Interest in growing into higher-level leadership responsibilities within a machine-building organization.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and customers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities while maintaining high quality and attention to detail.

Work Environment

You will work in an industrial automation environment focused on machine building and supporting automated manufacturing systems. The setting is fast paced and highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on troubleshooting, system integration, and meeting production efficiency and safety standards. The role requires approximately 40% travel, with ebbs and flows in travel demands; there may be periods of several months with little travel and other times with up to two weeks at a time of overnight travel. All travel-related expenses are covered, and you receive a daily per diem and an hourly premium while traveling. You will work with technologies such as Allen-Bradley PLCs, Fanuc robots, and AutoCAD Electrical, and you will regularly be on shop floors and customer sites commissioning and supporting automated equipment. The organization offers opportunities for growth into higher-level leadership roles within a growing machine builder.

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.

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 Jun 18, 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.