Controls Engineer

Actalent; Lathrop (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision

Health

Dental

401k

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Controls Engineer to support and improve plant automation systems in a highly automated production environment. The role involves designing, programming, troubleshooting, and optimizing control systems that drive production efficiency, reliability, safety, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and 3+ years of controls engineering experience in a food & beverage setting, with strong PLC and SCADA skills and a hands‑on,

Qualifications

• Design, develop, modify, and optimize PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems for manufacturing operations.
• Program and troubleshoot automation using platforms such as Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, or similar.
• Diagnose and resolve control circuits, instrumentation, sensors, VFDs, motors, and industrial networks.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, modify, and optimize PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems to support manufacturing operations.
• Program and troubleshoot automation systems using platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar technologies.
• Diagnose and resolve issues involving control circuits, instrumentation, sensors, VFDs, motors, and industrial communication networks.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA systems

Electrical troubleshooting

Industrial networks

Project management

Manufacturing support

Education

Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Rockwell Automation

Siemens

Job description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

A growing food and beverage manufacturer is seeking a Controls Engineer to support and improve plant automation systems in a highly automated production environment. This individual will play a key role in designing, programming, troubleshooting, and optimizing control systems that drive production efficiency, reliability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, modify, and optimize PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems to support manufacturing operations.
• Program and troubleshoot automation systems using platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar technologies.
• Diagnose and resolve issues involving control circuits, instrumentation, sensors, VFDs, motors, and industrial communication networks.
• Support production, maintenance, and engineering teams in identifying and resolving automation-related downtime.
• Configure, calibrate, and maintain process instrumentation and control devices.
• Develop and maintain control narratives, wiring diagrams, electrical schematics, SOPs, and system documentation.
• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 5-Why, Fishbone, and FMEA.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives that increase equipment reliability, improve throughput, and reduce downtime.
• Maintain industrial control networks, including EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, and related communication protocols.
• Manage hardware and software revisions while ensuring appropriate change control documentation.
• Participate in project execution, equipment upgrades, commissioning activities, and startup support.
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, quality, safety, and engineering teams to drive business objectives.
• Ensure all automation systems comply with OSHA, NFPA 79, ISO, ANSI B11, and other applicable safety requirements.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related technical discipline. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• 3+ years of controls engineering experience within a food and beverage manufacturing environment.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLCs and working with SCADA systems and industrial automation technologies.
• Strong understanding of electrical troubleshooting, instrumentation, control panels, and industrial networks.
• Experience supporting manufacturing equipment in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in aseptic processing environments.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation platforms.
• Experience with Siemens PLCs and HMI systems.
• Knowledge of batch processing, CIP systems, process controls, and instrumentation.
• Experience with FactoryTalk, Ignition, or similar SCADA platforms.
• Understanding of food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements within food manufacturing.

Work Environment

The work environment consists of 30% desk work and 70% on the plant floor. The role offers a flexible schedule with a requirement to work 10 hours at a time, allowing the Controls Engineer to start and end the workday at their discretion. The environment is highly automated and requires a hands-on approach, bridging operations, maintenance, and engineering.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Lathrop, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $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.

• Vision, Health, Dental, 401k, to full time employees

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lathrop,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 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.