Controls Engineer

Actalent; Chesterfield (MO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

ESOP

Paid time off

Holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Controls & Robotics Engineer to join a growing automation team serving manufacturing clients across F&B, pharma, and industrial markets. You will evaluate operations, identify automation opportunities, develop robotics solutions, and support implementation from concept through commissioning.

This role combines hands-on controls and robotics with consultative client engagement to translate complex manufacturing challenges into practical automation solutions.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with PLCs, DCS, HMI/SCADA and robotics.
• Strong track record in automation projects within manufacturing environments.
• Ability to translate manufacturing challenges into automation solutions.
• Excellent consultative mindset with direct customer interaction.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate manufacturing operations to identify automation opportunities and robotics integration.
• Develop robotics and controls solutions for palletizing, material handling, and modernization.
• Gather requirements from customers and tailor automation strategies.
• Define system architecture, controls strategy, and robotics implementation plans.
• Program, configure, and integrate PLC, DCS, HMI, SCADA, and robotics systems.
• Act as liaison between clients, internal teams, and vendors during execution.
• Support commissioning, onsite testing, troubleshooting, and validation.
• Assist with CapEx planning and project estimating.
• Develop SOPs and train operators for robotics systems.

Skills

PLC programming

DCS integration

HMI/SCADA

Industrial robotics

Automation projects

Client communication

Commissioning support

Job description

Job Description

The Controls & Robotics Engineer will join a growing automation and robotics team that supports manufacturing clients across food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and industrial markets. You will evaluate manufacturing operations, identify automation opportunities, develop robotics solutions, and support implementation from initial concept through commissioning. This role combines hands‑on controls and robotics engineering with consultative client engagement to translate complex manufacturing challenges into practical automation solutions.

Job Title: Controls & Robotics Engineer

Job Description

The Controls & Robotics Engineer will join a growing automation and robotics team that supports manufacturing clients across food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and industrial markets. You will evaluate manufacturing operations, identify automation opportunities, develop robotics solutions, and support implementation from initial concept through commissioning. This role combines hands‑on controls and robotics engineering with consultative client engagement to translate complex manufacturing challenges into practical automation solutions.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate existing manufacturing operations to identify opportunities for automation, robotics integration, and process optimization.
• Develop robotics and controls solutions for applications such as robotic palletizing, material handling automation, and broader manufacturing modernization initiatives.
• Work directly with customers to assess current state operations, gather requirements, and recommend tailored automation strategies.
• Support project development from concept through detailed design, including defining system architecture, controls strategy, and robotics implementation plans.
• Program, configure, and integrate PLC, DCS, HMI, SCADA, and industrial robotics systems to meet project requirements.
• Serve as a technical liaison between clients, internal teams, and vendors throughout project execution, ensuring clear communication and alignment.
• Support commissioning activities, including onsite testing, troubleshooting, and performance validation of automation and robotics systems.
• Contribute to capital project planning (CapEx) by providing technical input, scope definition, and automation strategy recommendations.
• Assist with proposal development and project estimating, including defining technical scope, timelines, and resource needs.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and support operator training for robotics systems, including pendant programming and safe operation.
• Participate in projects across multiple industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, industrial manufacturing, and automotive manufacturing robotics.
• Engage in consulting activities to help clients shape their automation roadmaps and long‑term robotics strategies.
• Support or participate in data center‑related automation projects for interested assignments.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to build and expand a robotics practice rather than simply maintaining existing equipment.

Essential Skills

• Hands‑on experience with PLCs, including PLC programming for industrial automation applications.
• Experience with distributed control systems (DCS) and their integration into manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency with HMI and SCADA systems for monitoring and controlling industrial processes.
• Strong experience in industrial robotics, including deployment, integration, and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated experience in automation projects within manufacturing environments.
• Ability to evaluate manufacturing operations and translate challenges into robotics and automation solutions.
• Strong consultative mindset with the ability to work directly with customers and communicate technical concepts clearly.
• Experience supporting projects from concept through commissioning, including onsite implementation and testing.
• Capability to serve as a technical liaison between clients and project teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with AGV, AMR, or other autonomous robotics systems.
• Experience in automated palletizing systems and material handling automation.
• Exposure to high‑speed food and beverage manufacturing environments.
• Experience working in pharmaceutical manufacturing environments and related automation requirements.
• Involvement in capital project planning (CapEx) for automation and robotics initiatives.
• Experience developing SOPs and supporting operator training, including pendant programming for robotics systems.
• Participation in proposal development and project estimating for automation projects.
• Exposure to data center projects and related automation or controls systems.
• Experience with automotive manufacturing robotics.
• Interest in long‑term career growth in robotics as adoption continues to expand.
• Desire to help build and shape a robotics practice and influence client automation strategy and roadmaps.

Work Environment

The role offers a primarily remote work structure from client sites, combined with periodic travel for onsite project work. There is a preference for candidates located near the St. Louis/Chesterfield area to facilitate client interaction and team collaboration. You will work in a highly collaborative team environment with significant customer interaction, balancing office‑based tasks, consulting activities, and onsite manufacturing support. The initial phase of projects may require substantial onsite presence, with the first few weeks expected to be heavily client‑facing and onsite. After project launch, ongoing travel typically occurs approximately every few weeks, with a typical travel target around 30%, and potentially higher depending on project requirements. The environment provides exposure to multiple industries and technologies, along with strong training programs, professional development support, and the opportunity to contribute to a growing robotics business unit with significant investment and expansion plans.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Chesterfield, Missouri.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $160000.00/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.
We are committed to investing in our employees through a comprehensive benefits package designed to support long‑term financial security, health, and professional growth. Employees may be eligible for: Medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contributions Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Paid time off and paid holidays Life and disability insurance Professional development and technical training opportunities Tuition assistance and continuing education support (where applicable) Employee assistance resources Performance‑based bonus opportunities Flexible work arrangements based on role and project requirements.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Chesterfield,Missouri.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 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.