Controls Engineer

Actalent; Kingsport (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Controls Engineer in Kingsport, TN to design, program, and maintain industrial control systems for reliable manufacturing operations. You will work on PLCs, HMIs, drives, and CAD layouts, collaborating with maintenance and production to improve reliability and implement automation upgrades.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, and documentation, with responsibilities including designing control hardware/software, wiring diagrams, and coordinating with contractors.

Qualifications

• Experience designing control systems for industrial automation.
• Proficiency in programming and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, RSLogix 5000).
• Experience with Siemens automation systems in an industrial setting.
• Hands-on experience with SCADA/HMI systems and CAD tools for electrical drawings.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement control system hardware and software for new projects and maintenance activities.
• Design, program, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs and RSLogix platforms.
• Support, maintain, and optimize Siemens automation systems to ensure reliability.
• Develop, configure, and maintain SCADA and HMI systems to monitor processes.
• Collaborate with maintenance and production teams to improve reliability and uptime.
• Lead or assist automation upgrades, retrofits, and equipment integration.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards including arc flash requirements.
• Create and maintain documentation such as wiring diagrams and CAD drawings.
• Interface with drafters or prepare electrical drawings for new projects.

Skills

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens automation

SCADA HMI systems

AutoCAD Electrical

Power systems

Arc flash safety

Documentation

Cross-functional teamwork

Project scheduling

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

This Controls Engineer role focuses on designing, programming, and maintaining industrial control systems to support reliable and efficient manufacturing operations. The position involves hardware and software design for PLCs, HMIs, drives, and CAD layouts, while ensuring all control systems meet safety and quality standards. The Controls Engineer collaborates closely with maintenance and production teams to improve system reliability, implement automation upgrades, and support continuous improvement across the facility.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement control system hardware and software for new projects and maintenance activities using sound engineering principles.
• Design, program, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs, including ControlLogix, CompactLogix, and RSLogix 5000 platforms.
• Support, maintain, and optimize Siemens automation systems to ensure reliable and efficient operation.
• Develop, configure, and maintain SCADA and HMI systems to monitor and control manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with maintenance and production teams to improve system reliability, reduce downtime, and enhance overall equipment performance.
• Lead or assist in automation upgrades, retrofits, and integration of new equipment into existing control architectures.
• Ensure all control systems comply with applicable safety and quality standards, including electrical and arc flash safety requirements.
• Create and maintain documentation such as control strategies, wiring diagrams, system configurations, and CAD drawings.
• Interface with drafters or personally prepare and update electrical and control drawings for new projects and existing equipment.
• Manage and schedule maintenance personnel and outside contractors to complete projects and maintain equipment effectively.
• Set up, validate, and maintain spare parts lists and inventories for new and existing equipment to support reliable maintenance.
• Develop and write preventive maintenance instructions for control systems and related equipment.
• Maintain, upgrade, and archive software used in the manufacturing process to ensure version control and system integrity.
• Support and participate in arc flash analysis activities and incorporate findings into control system design and maintenance practices.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in controls engineering with responsibility for hardware and software design for PLCs, HMIs, drives, and CAD layouts.
• Strong proficiency in designing, programming, and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley PLCs, including ControlLogix, CompactLogix, and RSLogix 5000.
• Experience supporting and maintaining Siemens automation systems in an industrial environment.
• Hands‑on experience developing and maintaining SCADA and HMI systems.
• Electrical engineering knowledge with a focus on industrial automation and control systems.
• Proficiency in PLC programming and automation system integration.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or similar CAD tools for creating and updating electrical drawings and layouts.
• Ability to manage and schedule maintenance personnel and outside contractors for projects and ongoing equipment maintenance.
• Experience interfacing with drafters or independently drafting and updating project drawings.
• Strong knowledge of medium‑voltage power systems and their integration with control systems.
• Experience maintaining, upgrading, and archiving manufacturing process software.
• Knowledge and practical understanding of arc flash analysis and related safety practices.
• Strong documentation skills for control strategies, wiring diagrams, and system configurations.
• Ability to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards in all control system designs and modifications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience leading or assisting with automation upgrades, retrofits, and new equipment integration projects.
• Background in developing preventive maintenance instructions for control systems and production equipment.
• Familiarity with managing spare parts inventories for control and electrical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with maintenance and production teams to improve system reliability and uptime.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex control system issues.
• Attention to detail in documentation, configuration management, and system archiving.
• Comfort working with both Allen‑Bradley and Siemens ecosystems and adapting to evolving automation technologies.

Work Environment

The role operates in a manufacturing or industrial facility where the Controls Engineer works closely with maintenance and production teams on the plant floor and in engineering offices. You will regularly use technologies such as Allen‑Bradley and Siemens PLCs, SCADA and HMI systems, drives, and AutoCAD Electrical for designing and maintaining control systems. The environment involves exposure to medium‑voltage power systems and requires adherence to strict safety practices, including arc flash safety and compliance with electrical and quality standards. Work hours may include periods of project‑based activity, equipment commissioning, and coordination with contractors and maintenance personnel to minimize production downtime.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Kingsport, TN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $110000.00/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. 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 onsite position in Kingsport,TN. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 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.