Controls Engineer

Actalent; Houston (TX); Remote; USD 41,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Per diem for travel

Travel expenses covered

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Controls Engineer in Houston, TX to design and develop PLC programs for material handling equipment and warehouse automation systems. You will participate in all phases of product development, collaborate with customers and internal teams, and travel to client sites nationwide.

The role requires a 3+ year background in controls engineering, expertise with Allen-Bradley platforms, Rockwell Studio 5000, and RSLogix, plus strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in controls engineering.
• Hands-on experience programming PLCs, with Allen‑Bradley platforms.
• Proficiency with Rockwell Automation software tools, including Studio 5000 and RSLogix.
• Experience with material handling equipment and conveyor systems in automated environments.
• Ability to travel approximately 60–70% of the time to client sites across the country.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for controls and motor components during installation and commissioning.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing site requirements while meeting project timelines.
• Effective communication skills for collaborating with engineering teams, project management, installers, and customers.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop PLC programs for material handling equipment, including conveyors and related automation systems.
• Collaborate with internal engineering and project management teams, as well as customers, to determine system requirements and translate them into functional control solutions.
• Program control systems to support equipment operation and performance in warehouse automation environments.
• Support electrical installation activities by interfacing with electrical installers and providing technical guidance.
• Debug electrical installations, including controls and motor components, to ensure proper functionality and compliance with design specifications.
• Participate in all phases of the product development lifecycle, including analysis, design, electrical design, installation support, and commissioning.
• Independently resolve site‑specific requirement changes and adapt control solutions to meet evolving customer and project needs.
• Collaborate with complementary engineering staff responsible for electrical hardware to ensure integrated and reliable system performance.
• Provide ongoing technical support during equipment installation and commissioning at client sites.
• Travel to client locations across the country to support installation, testing, debugging, and handover of control systems.

Skills

PLC programming

Allen-Bradley

Rockwell Studio 5000

RSLogix

Travel readiness

Industrial automation

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology

Tools

Studio 5000

RSLogix

Rockwell Automation software

Job description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Controls Engineer designs and develops PLC programs for material handling equipment and warehouse automation systems. This role requires comprehensive knowledge of equipment, business needs, and customer requirements that drive the design of technical solutions. The Controls Engineer participates in all phases of the product development lifecycle, including analysis, design, electrical design, installation support, electrical installation debugging, and collaboration with other engineering staff involved in electrical hardware engineering. The Controls Engineer works independently to resolve changing site requirements and supports solutions that ensure successful completion of equipment installations.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop PLC programs for material handling equipment, including conveyors and related automation systems.

• Collaborate with internal engineering and project management teams, as well as customers, to determine system requirements and translate them into functional control solutions.

• Program control systems to support equipment operation and performance in warehouse automation environments.

• Support electrical installation activities by interfacing with electrical installers and providing technical guidance.

• Debug electrical installations, including controls and motor components, to ensure proper functionality and compliance with design specifications.

• Participate in all phases of the product development lifecycle, including analysis, design, electrical design, installation support, and commissioning.

• Independently resolve site‑specific requirement changes and adapt control solutions to meet evolving customer and project needs.

• Collaborate with complementary engineering staff responsible for electrical hardware to ensure integrated and reliable system performance.

• Provide ongoing technical support during equipment installation and commissioning at client sites.

• Travel to client locations across the country to support installation, testing, debugging, and handover of control systems.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in controls engineering.

• Hands‑on experience programming PLCs, with strong proficiency in Allen‑Bradley platforms.

• Proficiency with Rockwell Automation software tools, including Studio 5000 and RSLogix.

• Experience working with material handling equipment and conveyor systems in automated environments.

• Ability to travel approximately 60–70% of the time to client sites across the country.

• Strong troubleshooting skills for controls and motor components during installation and commissioning.

• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing site requirements while maintaining project timelines.

• Effective communication skills for collaborating with engineering teams, project management, installers, and customers.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in warehouse automation environments and exposure to state‑of‑the‑art automation software.

• History in designing and supporting control systems for diversified client operations.

• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and integrate control logic with electrical hardware designs.

• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail in debugging electrical installations.

• Comfort working in a fast‑growing organization with expanding project demands and opportunities.

• Interest in long‑term career growth within automation and controls engineering.

Work Environment

This role is primarily field‑based and requires frequent travel to client sites across the country, with travel expected at approximately 70% of the time. Typical travel schedules may include up to 10 consecutive days on a jobsite followed by 4 days off. Work is performed in warehouse and industrial environments where material handling and automation equipment are installed and commissioned. The position involves close collaboration with on‑site electrical installers and engineering teams, and regular hands‑on work with PLCs, Allen‑Bradley hardware, Rockwell Automation software (such as Studio 5000 and RSLogix), and conveyor systems. Travel expenses are covered, and a daily per diem is available while traveling. The work environment offers exposure to modern warehouse automation technologies and provides opportunities to contribute to large‑scale, diversified projects in a growing industry

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $55.00/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 remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 7, 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.