Controls Engineer

Actalent; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Job summary

Actalent in Chattanooga, TN is seeking an Entry-Level Traveling Controls Engineer with 1+ year of PLC troubleshooting, commissioning, and automation experience. The role involves substantial travel to client sites for system startup, validation, and troubleshooting.

You will program and configure PLCs (Rockwell preferred), commission automation and control systems, and help integrate equipment into new or existing architectures. Independence and willingness to travel are essential.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of PLC troubleshooting experience (Rockwell preferred).
• 1+ year of commissioning, integration, or controls experience.
• Experience in industrial, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, GMP, or data center environments.
• Strong automation, electrical, and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently and travel extensively.

Responsibilities

• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs (Rockwell preferred).
• Commission and validate automation/control systems.
• Integrate equipment into new and existing control architectures.
• Support power monitoring, building management, and facility control systems.
• Work with engineers and clients to deliver reliable automation solutions.
• Travel to project sites for startup, testing, and client support.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Commissioning

Automation systems

Travel readiness

Independent work

Tools

Rockwell PLC

Job description

Entry-Level Traveling Controls Engineer

Overview: Seeking a Controls Engineer with 1+ year of experience in PLC troubleshooting, commissioning, and automation systems. This role supports manufacturing, pharmaceutical, industrial, and data center projects, with significant travel to client sites for system startup, validation, and troubleshooting.

Key Responsibilities:

• - Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs (Rockwell preferred)
• - Commission and validate automation/control systems
• - Integrate equipment into new and existing control architectures
• - Support power monitoring, building management, and facility control systems
• - Work with engineers and clients to deliver reliable automation solutions
• - Travel to project sites for startup, testing, and client support

Required Qualifications:

• - 1+ year of PLC troubleshooting experience (Rockwell preferred)
• - 1+ year of commissioning, integration, or controls experience
• - Experience in industrial, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, GMP, or data center environments
• - Strong automation, electrical, and troubleshooting skills
• - Ability to work independently and travel extensively

Preferred Qualifications:

• - Data center, power monitoring, or building management system experience
• - Exposure to life sciences, utilities, or power projects
• - Strong documentation and organizational skills

Why Apply?

• - Extensive travel and hands-on field experience
• - Exposure to advanced automation and control technologies
• - Strong internal growth and long-term career development opportunities

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chattanooga, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $39.42 - $50.00/hr. 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. 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 Chattanooga,TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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.