Controls Engineer

Actalent; Kernersville (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP ownership

Wealth-building opportunities

Employee share in company success

Job summary

Actalent in Kernersville, NC is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, develop, and implement control systems for diverse industries. You will create wiring schematics in AutoCAD Electrical, develop sequences of operation, and lead design reviews with customers.

The role requires travel up to 30%, onsite work, and the ability to manage projects from planning through start‑up, documentation, and training.

Qualifications

• 3 to 10 years of experience in controls and automation engineering.
• Strong understanding of control systems, instrumentation, PLC programming, SCADA systems, and controls design.
• Proficiency in PLC programming and control systems engineering.
• Experience in SCADA/HMI development.
• Ability to travel up to 30%.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement control systems (logic software and hardware) to meet process system requirements.
• Develop schematics detailing control system configuration and wiring, and design equipment panel layouts using AutoCAD software.
• Create a Sequence of Operation document detailing control strategies for the controlled process, and lead design reviews with customers for document approval.
• Perform system checkout and start‑up of the integrated control system at customer sites.
• Develop final record system documentation and provide system training to customers.
• Work on automation and control system integration projects across multiple industries, including manufacturing production lines and data center building automation.
• Act as technical lead on projects, guiding lower‑level engineers and technicians.
• Serve as Project Manager on smaller projects ranging from $50K to $250K, which includes developing and executing implementation plans, assigning work to meet project deadlines, ensuring project team members understand the scope of responsibilities, developing schedules for requirements, evaluating project progress and detailing changes, managing purchasing and subcontractor requirements, and developing costs and proposals for change orders.

Skills

Controls & automation engineering

PLC programming

SCADA systems

Instrumentation

Travel up to 30%

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Cognex

Rockwell FactoryTalk

DeltaV

Job description

Job Title: Controls Engineer Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement control systems (logic software and hardware) to meet process system requirements.


• Develop schematics detailing control system configuration and wiring, and design equipment panel layouts using AutoCAD software.


• Create a Sequence of Operation document detailing control strategies for the controlled process, and lead design reviews with customers for document approval.


• Perform system checkout and start‑up of the integrated control system at customer sites.


• Develop final record system documentation and provide system training to customers.


• Work on automation and control system integration projects across multiple industries, including manufacturing production lines and data center building automation.


• Act as technical lead on projects, guiding lower‑level engineers and technicians.


• Serve as Project Manager on smaller projects ranging from $50K to $250K, which includes developing and executing implementation plans, assigning work to meet project deadlines, ensuring project team members understand the scope of responsibilities, developing schedules for requirements, evaluating project progress and detailing changes, managing purchasing and subcontractor requirements, and developing costs and proposals for change orders.

Essential Skills

• 3 to 10 years of experience in controls and automation engineering.


• Strong understanding of control systems, instrumentation, PLC programming, SCADA systems, and controls design.


• Proficiency in PLC programming and control systems engineering.


• Experience in SCADA/HMI development.


• Ability to travel up to 30%.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical.


• Experience with control panel and electrical design.


• Familiarity with Cognex, Industrial Automation, Rockwell FactoryTalk, and DeltaV.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Kernersville, NC.

Pay and Benefits

• The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $135000.00/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.


• Employees receive ownership through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).


• Creates an additional long‑term wealth‑building opportunity alongside traditional retirement savings.


• Employees directly share in the company’s success.

Application Deadline

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

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Kernersville,NC.

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Disability Accommodation

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.