Controls Engineer

Actalent; Loves Park (IL); On-site; USD 69,000 - 83,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Disability coverage

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee assistance

PTO & leave

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Controls Engineer to drive automation and manufacturing systems initiatives. You will design, program, and troubleshoot control systems for automated equipment, while supporting validation, commissioning, and ongoing improvements.

In this contract role based out of Loves Park, IL, you will develop documentation, ensure safety compliance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize performance in a fast-paced production environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• Experience with industrial automation, PLC programming, and control systems.
• Knowledge of manufacturing equipment, system validation, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with industrial communication networks and safety standards is preferred.
• Strong problem-solving, project leadership, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and troubleshoot industrial control systems and automated equipment.
• Support system integration, commissioning, testing, and validation activities.
• Develop controls documentation, electrical drawings, and technical reports.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and support risk assessment activities.
• Analyze production issues and implement continuous improvement solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize manufacturing performance.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC programming

Control systems

System validation

Troubleshooting

Problem solving

Project leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Controls Engineer (Automation & Manufacturing Systems)

We are seeking a Controls Engineer to support automation and production system initiatives. This role will focus on developing, implementing, and validating control systems, supporting automated equipment, and driving process improvements in a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, program, and troubleshoot industrial control systems and automated equipment.

• Support system integration, commissioning, testing, and validation activities.

• Develop controls documentation, electrical drawings, and technical reports.

• Ensure compliance with safety standards and support risk assessment activities.

• Analyze production issues and implement continuous improvement solutions.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize manufacturing performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.

• Experience with industrial automation, PLC programming, and control systems.

• Knowledge of manufacturing equipment, system validation, and troubleshooting.

• Familiarity with industrial communication networks and safety standards is preferred.

• Strong problem-solving, project leadership, and communication skills.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Loves Park, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr.

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 Loves Park,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 8, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance our 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.