Controls Engineer

Actalent; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 48,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Kalamazoo, MI seeks a Controls Engineer (B Shift) to support operations in a highly automated manufacturing environment. The role focuses on floor support (about 80%) and small improvement projects, troubleshooting, and optimizing control systems.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in controls engineering, strong Allen-Bradley PLC and FANUC robotics experience, and the ability to work independently and with cross-functional teams. This contract-to-hire position is onsite in Kalamazoo.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in controls engineering or related role in industrial manufacturing.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting with Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Hands-on FANUC robotics setup, troubleshooting and optimization.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and maintain industrial equipment on the floor (80% time).
• Optimize control systems and implement enhancements like HMI changes.
• Configure and adjust timers and control logic to improve reliability.
• Support maintenance team as technical lead on shifts.

Skills

PLC programming

Allen-Bradley

FANUC robotics

Electrical troubleshooting

Documentation

Safety focus

Teamwork

On-site work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Job Title: Controls Engineer (B Shift) Job Description The Controls Engineer supports operations and manufacturing on the B Shift, working from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and every other Wednesday. In this role, you serve as the primary technical contact for the maintenance team, spending approximately 80% of your time on floor support and 20% on small improvement projects. You troubleshoot industrial equipment, optimize control systems, and implement enhancements such as HMI reconfigurations, control logic changes, and timer adjustments to improve efficiency and reliability in a highly automated manufacturing environment.

Essential Skills

• Preferred 5+ years of experience in controls engineering or a closely related controls-focused role in industrial manufacturing.
• Strong PLC programming, editing, and troubleshooting skills, specifically with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms.
• Hands-on experience with FANUC robotics, including setup, troubleshooting, and optimization in a production environment.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting skills, including the ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and diagnose issues on industrial equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to support, maintain, and improve industrial manufacturing equipment and automation systems.
• Experience with automation and process control in a manufacturing setting, including working with motor drives and extrusion equipment.
• Ability to work the B Shift schedule: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and every other Wednesday.
• Ability to work independently on hands-on projects and also effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Strong documentation skills for recording technical work, changes, and improvements in a clear and organized manner.
• Commitment to safety and reliability, with the ability to monitor processes and ensure they remain in control and meet expectations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is preferred.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical for designing or modifying electrical drawings is a plus.
• Experience in aluminum, metals, extrusion, casting, or heavy manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
• Experience working with robotics beyond FANUC, or broader automation platforms, is beneficial.
• Exposure to continuous improvement methodologies and Six Sigma project participation is an advantage.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to lead or contribute to multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Ability to mentor and train others on equipment, controls, and processes.
• Comfort working in a large-scale, fast-growing manufacturing facility with highly automated systems.
• Interest in ongoing professional development and technical training opportunities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of KALAMAZOO, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $60.00/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.

Benefits 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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in KALAMAZOO,MI.

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.