Acceptance Testing, Aerospace and Defense, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Building Commissioning, Candidate Screening, Commission Controls, Commissioning, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Control Engineering, Control Systems, Corrective Action, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Design Services, Electrical Engineering, Electricity, Genetics, Government, Hospital, Identify Issues, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Assembly, Manufacturing Automation, Manufacturing Management, Manufacturing Requirements, Motion Control, Multitasking, Outsourcing, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Project Engineering, Project Evaluation, Project Schedule, Project Tracking, Project/Program Coordination, Project/Program Management, Purchasing/Procurement, Schedule Development, Schematics, Software Administration, Software Engineering, Sourcing Strategy, Startup, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Leadership, Technical/Engineering Design, Time Management, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills
Job Title: Controls Lead, Automation Integration
Job Description
The Controls Lead, Automation Integration is responsible for coordinating all shop-floor controls and automation integration activities from project kickoff through electrical build execution and pre-commissioning. This role serves as the primary liaison between project management, engineering, manufacturing, and the controls integration team to ensure projects remain on schedule and are prepared for software startup and final acceptance testing.
Responsibilities
- Attend project kickoff meetings and review project scope of work.
- Evaluate project schedules and provide feedback regarding capacity, manpower, and execution timelines.
- Coordinate controls integration activities and communicate build requirements to manufacturing and assembly teams.
- Monitor controls-related purchased components and identify material shortages or delivery risks.
- Develop look-ahead plans and communicate shortages to Project Managers.
- Coordinate electricians and contingent resources required to complete integration activities.
- Ensure compliance with customer specifications, procedures, and quality requirements.
- Participate in manufacturing kickoffs and weekly build status meetings.
- Track project progress and communicate manpower and scheduling requirements to leadership.
- Lead shop-floor integration meetings to track assignments and commissioning status.
- Identify project changes, engineering issues, and lessons learned while supporting corrective actions.
- Assist with departmental standards, work instructions, continuous improvement projects, and implementation of new technologies.
- Support software engineers during startup activities and prepare systems for customer acceptance testing.
Essential Skills
- 5+ years of controls engineering, automation integration, or electrical systems experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience supporting PLCs, HMIs, motion control systems, commissioning, and automation equipment integration.
- Ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot electrical and pneumatic schematics.
- Experience coordinating multiple automation projects, managing schedules, and supporting build execution through commissioning.
- Ability to lead electricians and integration teams while coordinating cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, and project management.
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience leading technical teams or electricians.
- Experience supporting automation equipment commissioning.
- Manufacturing automation or machine build industry experience.
- Continuous improvement and process optimization experience.
- Previous experience leading controls integration teams.
- Experience supporting turnkey automation equipment builds.
- Familiarity with NCRs, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Exposure to strategic sourcing and outsourced manufacturing partners.
- Experience supporting customer acceptance testing (FAT/SAT).
- Government or defense industry experience.
Work Environment
The work environment includes a combination of production floor and office settings within a temperature-controlled facility. Employees may experience exposure to dirt, dust, grease, oil, and noisy manufacturing environments. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when entering manufacturing areas. The standard work schedule is from 5am or 6am to 3pm or 4pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional half days on Saturdays or Sundays depending on project timing. Overtime may be required to support project deadlines, and up to 10% travel is expected.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Chesterfield, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $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 Chesterfield,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 30, 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 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.