Controls Engineer

Actalent; Kernersville (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a senior Controls Engineer to lead customer engagements, specify automation requirements, and design robust control architectures for industrial processes. The role involves selecting components, developing electrical schematics, and implementing PLC/DCS solutions with strong safety and reliability focus.

Responsibilities include configuring HMI/SCADA systems, creating system documentation, and ensuring successful field commissioning at customer sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Computer Science.
• Greater than 10 years of experience in controls engineering or closely related fields with demonstrated capabilities in industrial automation and control systems.
• In-depth understanding of PLC hardware and software platforms such as Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Modicon.
• In-depth understanding of HMI/SCADA hardware and software platforms including ICONICS Genesis64, Wonderware ArchestrA System Platform, GE CIMPLICITY, GE iFIX, Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View, and Siemens solutions.
• In-depth understanding of DCS hardware and software platforms such as Emerson DeltaV or similar systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the identification of customer requirements and translate them into clear technical specifications and automation solutions.
• Design, implement, test, commission, and qualify advanced automation solutions for industrial processes and machinery.
• Develop detailed electrical and control schematic diagrams with 480VAC power distribution and NEC references.
• Create system documentation, design standards, and commissioning procedures.
• Program PLCs, DCS, and RTUs using Ladder Logic, SFC, Structured Text, and related languages.
• Develop and configure HMI/SCADA systems for process visualization, alarms, trends, and operator interfaces.
• Design and implement databases for archiving historical data for reporting and monitoring.
• Commission and optimize control systems at customer facilities, including startup and troubleshooting.
• Design industrial networking solutions (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus) and related documentation.

Skills

Experience >10 years

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA development

Control systems design

Electrical schematics

Networking for industrial systems

Conceptualize & implement arch

Education

B.S. Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Rockwell Automation

Siemens

Modicon

Job description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Controls Engineer interacts directly with customers and leads engineering teams to identify requirements, develop specifications, and design, implement, test, commission, and qualify advanced automation solutions. This role combines strong technical expertise with well-balanced people skills, sound business judgment, and a collaborative mindset focused on building long-term partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the identification of customer requirements and translate them into clear technical specifications and automation solutions.
• Conceptualize, design, and implement control systems architectures for industrial processes and machinery to meet defined performance, safety, and reliability objectives.
• Select appropriate control system components and instrumentation, ensuring compatibility, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop detailed electrical and control schematic diagrams, including power distribution under 480VAC, control panels, and related documentation with appropriate NEC references.
• Create comprehensive system documentation, including design standards, functional descriptions, and commissioning procedures.
• Program industrial controllers such as PLCs, DCS, and RTUs using languages including Ladder Logic, Sequential Function Chart, Structured Text, and other relevant controller programming languages.
• Develop and configure HMI/SCADA systems for process visualization, including graphics, alarms, trends, and operator interfaces.
• Design and implement databases for archiving and displaying historical system data to support reporting, analytics, and performance monitoring.
• Implement and commission control systems at customer facilities, including startup, testing, troubleshooting, and optimization of automation solutions.
• Design, detail, and implement industrial networking solutions for larger systems, including fiber, wired, and wireless networks using protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Profinet, and Modbus.
• Apply standard programming languages such as VBA, .NET, and SQL in support of HMI/SCADA development and data integration when needed.
• Develop project execution plans, work breakdown structures, and associated budgets to guide project delivery and resource allocation.
• Prioritize, schedule, and sequence tasks, ensuring efficient use of time and resources while meeting project milestones and deadlines.
• Track and report project time and financial performance, monitoring budgets and expenses to help ensure overall project profitability.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Computer Science.
• Greater than 10 years of experience in controls engineering or closely related fields with demonstrated capabilities in industrial automation and control systems.
• In-depth understanding of PLC hardware and software platforms such as Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Modicon.
• In-depth understanding of HMI/SCADA hardware and software platforms including ICONICS Genesis64, Wonderware ArchestrA System Platform, GE CIMPLICITY, GE iFIX, Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View, and Siemens solutions.
• In-depth understanding of DCS hardware and software platforms such as Emerson DeltaV or similar systems.
• Strong proficiency in controller programming languages such as Ladder Logic, Sequential Function Chart, and Structured Text.
• Ability to conceptualize, detail, and implement control systems architectures for industrial processes and machinery.
• Experience in the design of electrical schematics, including power distribution under 480VAC, control panels, and associated NEC references.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with AutoCAD for creating and modifying electrical and control schematics.
• Experience working with HMI/SCADA systems using standard programming languages such as VBA, .NET, and SQL for advanced visualization and data integration.
• Experience designing and implementing industrial networking solutions, including fiber, wired, and wireless systems using protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Profinet, and Modbus.
• Experience in industries such as Life Sciences, Building Automation, Food and Beverage, Oil and Gas, and Mining.
• Experience overseeing daily operations and activities of projects up to approximately $1M in value.
• Experience developing project execution plans, work breakdown structures, budgets, and schedules for automation projects.

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 - $155000.00/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.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Kernersville,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 21, 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.