Controls Engineer

Actalent; Anoka (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Daily travel allowance / per diem

Onsite work environment

Job summary

Actalent in Anoka, MN is seeking a Controls Engineer with 5+ years of experience in Allen Bradley PLC/HMI programming to design, implement, and support automated machinery.

You will create programs and schematics, manage a library of PLCs, supervise vendors, travel 10-15% within the US, Canada, and Mexico, and ensure documentation and standardization across projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Controls Engineering with custom automated equipment.
• Expertise in Allen Bradley PLC/HMI programming.
• Knowledge of servo motors, motion control and VFDs.
• Experience with electrical design concepts.

Responsibilities

• Create new programs, schematics, and panel layouts for machines and integrated systems.
• Assist Test Technicians with factory testing.
• Organize and maintain an updated library of PLC programs and templates.
• Design and implement hardware and software for machinery or integration projects.
• Create new controls system designs.
• Review and troubleshoot customer field issues and provide viable solutions.
• Develop and maintain the electrical project schedule for ongoing projects.
• Support the Service Department in troubleshooting machines on site or remotely.

Skills

5+ years of experience in Controls Eng

Allen Bradley PLC/HMI programming

Servo motors, motion control, VFDs

Electrical design concepts

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred; open to an Associate's degree

Job description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

The primary role of the Controls Engineer is focused on Allen Bradley PLC/HMI programming. The engineer will create new programs, schematics, and panel layouts for automated machines and complete integrated systems.

Responsibilities

• Create new programs, schematics, and panel layouts for machines and complete integrated systems.

• Assist Test Technicians with factory testing.

• Organize and maintain an updated library of all PLC programs and templates.

• Design and implement both hardware and software for machinery or integration projects.

• Create new controls system designs.

• Evaluate cost alternatives for current and future controls designs.

• Develop and maintain the electrical project schedule for projects in progress.

• Act as an advocate for the integrated packaging line in terms of functionality and project management.

• Supervise subcontractor vendors.

• Review and troubleshoot customer field issues, recommending viable solutions.

• Work on projects to improve speed, capacity, reliability, functionality, and ease of operation.

• Assist the Service Department in troubleshooting machines via telephone or on-site at customer facilities.

• Ensure that programs follow a standardized and structured format for ease of understanding by co-workers and customers.

• Create documentation to share knowledge with other Controls Engineers, Checkout, and Service personnel.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience in Controls Engineering specific to custom automated equipment.

• Expertise in Allen Bradley PLC/HMI programming.

• Knowledge of servo motors, motion control, and VFDs.

• Experience with electrical design concepts.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; open to an Associate's degree.

• Knowledge of Machine Vision.

• Experience with robots, particularly Fanuc, is a plus but not required.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role with flexibility if needed. The Controls Engineer will spend the majority of their time on the floor working with and programming machines. They will have a desk and computer on the floor, as well as in the office. The position involves 10-15% travel within the US, Canada, and Mexico, with a daily allowance offered when in the field along with a per diem. The environment boasts state-of-the-art equipment and technology, providing autonomy to work on and support individual projects. #mneng26

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Anoka, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

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.

Medical Insurance Delkor provides you with a choice between two different plan options with UMR, a subsidiary of UnitedHealthCare – a traditional co-pay plan and a HDHP HSA eligible plan. You have your choice between two networks of providers.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Anoka,MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 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 [e-mail] 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.