Controls Engineer

Actalent; Lake Orion (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

PTO (2–3 weeks)

Sick pay per state guidelines

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to design, program, and commission industrial automation systems in a dynamic service-focused environment. You will own projects from concept through commissioning, work with PLC/ HMI technologies, and mentor junior engineers while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

The role balances office engineering with hands-on field work, requiring 30%–65% travel to customer facilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of experience with Siemens and/or Allen-Bradley PLCs in industrial automation applications.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience interpreting electrical diagrams and creating I/O trees from scratch.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience developing and supporting HMI applications for industrial control systems.
• Proven ability to commission devices and systems in the field and verify correct operation.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and modify PLC software for automation systems using Allen-Bradley and Siemens platforms.
• Lead automation projects from concept to completion, including requirements review, control strategy design, software development, testing, and handover.
• Create, configure, and maintain I/O trees based on electrical diagrams.
• Interpret electrical diagrams to design control logic and system architecture.
• Commission devices and systems in the field and adjust for stable performance.
• Debug PLC programs, HMI screens, and control systems to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Design, develop, and configure HMI applications for operator interfaces and system status visualization.
• Integrate and support vision systems and related automation hardware.
• Collaborate with engineers to plan, coordinate, and execute projects in industrial environments.
• Travel to customer sites ~30% to 65% for commissioning, troubleshooting, and implementation.

Skills

PLC programming

Allen-Bradley

Siemens PLCs

I/O tree design

HMI development

Field commissioning

PLC/HMI debugging

Vision systems

Beckhoff platforms

Industrial control

Travel 30-65%

Cross-functional teamwork

Job description

Job Description

This role offers an experienced Controls Engineer the opportunity to design, program, and commission industrial automation systems while supporting a growing industrial service business. You will take ownership of projects from initial concept through commissioning, work extensively with PLC and HMI technologies, and collaborate closely with a team of engineers to deliver reliable, high-quality automation solutions. The position involves a mix of hands-on field work, software development, and mentoring, providing a dynamic environment for both technical and professional growth.

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

This role offers an experienced Controls Engineer the opportunity to design, program, and commission industrial automation systems while supporting a growing industrial service business. You will take ownership of projects from initial concept through commissioning, work extensively with PLC and HMI technologies, and collaborate closely with a team of engineers to deliver reliable, high-quality automation solutions. The position involves a mix of hands-on field work, software development, and mentoring, providing a dynamic environment for both technical and professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and modify PLC software for automation systems using Allen-Bradley and Siemens platforms, ensuring reliable and efficient operation.
• Lead automation projects from concept to completion, including requirements review, control strategy design, software development, testing, and final handover.
• Create, configure, and maintain I/O trees from scratch based on electrical diagrams, ensuring accurate mapping between hardware and software.
• Interpret and work from electrical diagrams to design and implement control logic and system architecture.
• Commission devices and systems "out of the box" in the field, verifying correct operation and making necessary adjustments to achieve stable performance.
• Debug PLC programs, HMI screens, and control systems to identify root causes of issues and implement effective corrective actions.
• Design, develop, and configure HMI applications to provide intuitive operator interfaces and clear visualization of system status.
• Integrate and support vision systems and related automation hardware as part of overall control solutions.
• Collaborate with other engineers and technical staff to plan, coordinate, and execute automation projects in industrial environments.
• Travel to customer sites approximately 30% to 65% of the time to support commissioning, troubleshooting, and project implementation activities.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and training to less experienced engineers, helping them develop technical skills and best practices.
• Contribute to a supportive, learning-focused team culture by sharing knowledge, participating in code reviews, and offering constructive feedback.

Essential Skills

• Strong proficiency in PLC programming with Allen-Bradley and Siemens platforms, including development, implementation, and troubleshooting of automation software.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience with Siemens and/or Allen-Bradley PLCs in industrial automation applications.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience interpreting electrical diagrams and creating I/O trees from scratch.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience developing and supporting HMI applications for industrial control systems.
• Ability to confidently commission devices and systems in the field and verify correct operation.
• Proven experience debugging PLC programs, HMI screens, and control systems in live industrial environments.
• Hands-on experience working with vision systems as part of automated control solutions.
• Working knowledge of Beckhoff or similar automation platforms.
• Strong understanding of industrial control systems, I/O architecture, and electrical schematics.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 30% to 65% of the time for site-based work.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience mentoring and training junior engineers in PLC programming, commissioning, and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to take full ownership of projects from initial concept through commissioning and support.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a methodical approach to diagnosing and resolving control system issues.
• Comfort working in dynamic industrial environments and adapting to changing project requirements.
• Interest in contributing to a supportive, learning-focused team culture.

Work Environment

This role is based within an industrial service environment that focuses on the design, programming, and commissioning of automation systems for a variety of industrial applications. You will split your time between office-based engineering work and on-site field work at customer facilities. Office work typically involves PLC and HMI programming, reviewing electrical diagrams, configuring I/O structures, and collaborating with other engineers. Field work involves commissioning new systems, testing and debugging equipment, and working directly with industrial machinery, control panels, and vision systems. Travel requirements range from approximately 30% to 65% of the time, depending on project needs and your level of seniority, with senior engineers often traveling less as they support and mentor junior team members. The environment is collaborative and technically focused, with an emphasis on knowledge sharing, professional development, and delivering robust, reliable automation solutions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Lake Orion, MI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $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.

10 Paid holidays and 2 weeks of PTO (may be able to go to 3 weeks) to start off. Also will get sick pay per the state guidelines.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Lake Orion, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lake Orion,MI.

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.