Controls Engineer

Actalent; Menomonee Falls (WI); On-site; USD 78,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Wisconsin is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, develop, and support control systems for material handling and automation. You will focus on PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs, creating reliable, code-driven solutions that meet project scope, budget, and schedule.

This role combines design work with field startup, panel wiring checks, and collaboration with production and engineering teams to drive continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with electrical codes.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Design schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts.
• Develop and interpret PLC code for automated systems.
• Verify controls requirements for new equipment and retrofits.
• Program, maintain, and troubleshoot PLCs and drives.
• Collaborate with engineers to ensure design accuracy and documentation.
• Travel to customer sites for system startup and commissioning.

Skills

PLC programming

Electrical systems

CAD Electrical

Panel design

Schematic & wiring diagrams

Allen Bradley PLCs

VFDs & drives

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

The Controls Engineer designs, develops, and supports controls and electrical specifications for new and existing equipment, with a focus on PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs. This role plays a key part in creating, modifying, and maintaining control systems for customized material handling and automation applications, ensuring reliable performance, adherence to electrical codes, and alignment with project scope, budget, and schedule.

Responsibilities

• Design schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, and panel layout drawings using CAD tools for control systems and electrical panels.
• Develop and interpret PLC code for customized material handling and automation applications.
• Specify and verify controls requirements for new equipment and retrofit projects, maintaining accurate controls drawings and documentation.
• Perform PLC programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting to support reliable system operation.
• Partner with other engineers to ensure project accuracy, compliance with design standards, and thorough design documentation.
• Manage project responsibilities to meet defined scope, budget, and schedule objectives.
• Create detailed bills of materials for control enclosures, components, and wiring.
• Act as a technical resource for internal teams and external customers on controls and electrical engineering topics.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement in processes, methods, productivity, and quality while helping to reduce costs.
• Create clear and accurate drawings based on written and verbal specifications.
• Collaborate with production teams as a technical resource during fabrication, assembly, and testing.
• Inspect shop-built panels for correct wiring, layout, and setup, ensuring conformance to design and standards.
• Identify and resolve engineering issues that arise during fabrication, assembly, and service activities.
• Follow established safety procedures and ensure all work meets applicable electrical codes and standards.
• Travel to customer sites to start up automated systems, including adjustment and setup of drives and control devices, point-to-point wire checkout, and verification of PLC code operation.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
• At least 2 years of PLC programming experience.
• At least 2 years of experience with electrical systems or manufacturing environments.
• At least 2 years of experience working with CAD Electrical software.
• Proficiency in designing controls systems, including control panel design and electrical design.
• Ability to create and interpret schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts.
• Hands‑on experience with Allen Bradley PLCs and related automation systems.
• Experience programming, configuring, and supporting VFDs and other control devices.
• Strong skills in PLC programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of electrical engineering principles and controls engineering practices.
• Ability to maintain accurate controls drawings, documentation, and bills of materials.
• Understanding of relevant electrical codes and commitment to observing safety procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or similar CAD tools for electrical design.
• Experience in automation systems and material handling applications.
• Ability to translate written and verbal specifications into clear technical drawings.
• Strong collaboration skills for working with engineering, production, and cross-functional teams.
• Effective communication skills for serving as a technical resource to internal and external stakeholders.
• Detail‑oriented approach to panel inspection, wiring verification, and system checkout.
• Capability to travel to customer sites for system startup and commissioning activities.

Work Environment

The majority of the workday takes place in an office environment focused on design, programming, and documentation. The role also involves periodic visits to the manufacturing floor to collaborate with production teams, inspect panels, and support fabrication and assembly activities. Travel to customer sites is required for system startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting of automated systems, including on‑site adjustment of drives and control devices, wire checkout, and verification of PLC code.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Menomonee Falls, WI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $78000.00 - $115000.00/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. paid time off, holiday and vacation pay, 401k , medical dental and vision insurance

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Menomonee Falls,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 2, 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.

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.

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.