Controls Engineer

Actalent; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Travel expenses covered

Per diem while traveling

Overtime earning potential

Job summary

Actalent in Itasca, IL is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to own PLC-based control projects from programming through commissioning. You'll work with electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to deliver turnkey automation solutions at customer sites.

This onsite role offers strong earning potential with significant overtime and travel to support installations, FATs, SATs, and startups. The position requires hands-on troubleshooting, wiring, schematics interpretation, and a solid

Qualifications

• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC-based control systems.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control drawings.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting skills, including panel wiring, sensors, drives, motors, and field devices.
• Understanding of industrial automation architectures and machine controls.
• Ability to work independently during commissioning, startup, and field service activities.
• Willingness to travel extensively to support customer installations and system startups.

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and optimize PLC programs for automated equipment.
• Commission new control systems and bring equipment online at customer sites.
• Troubleshoot automation and electrical issues in production environments.
• Interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, and wiring diagrams for design and field support.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams on integrated solutions.
• Support machine startups, FATs, SATs, and field testing.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement long-term corrective actions.
• Contribute to control-system improvements and machine upgrades.
• Interface with customers during installations and technical support.

Skills

PLC programming

Schematic interpretation

Electrical troubleshooting

Industrial automation

Field commissioning

Travel readiness

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Mitsubishi PLC

Omron PLC

HMI/SCADA

VFD/Servo control

Kinematics/Robotics

Job description

Compensation

This is a salaried role with strong earning potential. Engineers in this position typically work 5-10 hours of overtime per week, adding approximately $18,000-$30,000 annually to total compensation. Base salary flexibility is available depending on experience and technical expertise.

Compensation

This is a salaried role with strong earning potential. Engineers in this position typically work 5-10 hours of overtime per week, adding approximately $18,000-$30,000 annually to total compensation. Base salary flexibility is available depending on experience and technical expertise.

What You'll Engineer

• Develop, modify, and optimize PLC programs for custom automated equipment and industrial machinery.
• Commission new control systems and bring equipment online at customer facilities.
• Troubleshoot complex automation, controls, and electrical issues in real-world production environments.
• Interpret electrical schematics, control panel drawings, P&IDs, and wiring diagrams to support system design and field troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams to deliver integrated automation solutions.
• Support machine startups, FATs, SATs, and field acceptance testing.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement long-term corrective actions for system issues.
• Contribute to control system improvements, machine upgrades, and process optimization initiatives.
• Interface directly with customers during installations, commissioning activities, and technical support engagements.

Technical Qualifications

• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC-based control systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control drawings.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting skills, including panel wiring, sensors, drives, motors, and field devices.
• Understanding of industrial automation architectures and machine controls.
• Ability to work independently during commissioning, startup, and field service activities.
• Willingness to travel extensively to support customer installations and system startups.

Preferred

• Experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Omron, or similar PLC platforms.
• HMI and SCADA development experience.
• VFD, servo motion control, or robotics experience.
• Machine building, OEM, packaging, material handling, or manufacturing automation experience.
• Startup, commissioning, or integration experience in industrial environments.
• Experience supporting customers in the field and diagnosing live production issues.

Why Engineers Like This Role

• Own projects from programming through commissioning.
• Work on real automation challenges, not just maintenance support.
• Gain exposure to a variety of PLC platforms, machine technologies, and manufacturing processes.
• High visibility and technical autonomy.
• Significant overtime earning potential.
• Opportunity to travel, commission systems, and see your engineering work running in production.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Itasca, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $110000.00/yr.

• Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k), paid time off and holidays, company-paid travel expenses, daily per diem while traveling, and opportunities for overtime to increase overall earnings.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Itasca,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 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 [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.