Controls Engineer

Actalent; Milwaukie (OR); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision start day one

401(k) with Employer Matching

Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, program, and optimize automation systems in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The role emphasizes hands-on work on the production floor, collaboration with operators and engineers, and driving improvements in yields and cycle times.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience with Rockwell/AB PLCs, multi-brand robotics (FANUC, Denso, UR), and vision systems, along with strong data collection skills.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and programming PLC logic, HMIs, and robot automation for assembly equipment.
• Shop floor inspection and collaboration with assemblers and technicians.
• Ability to boost first-pass yields, reduce cycle times, and optimize line profitability.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to adapt to production schedule changes.

Responsibilities

• Design and program PLC logic, HMI interfaces, and robot automation routines for new assembly equipment and production contracts.
• Spend significant time on the shop floor inspecting processes, working alongside assemblers, and refining equipment performance.
• Engineer solutions to boost first-pass yields, reduce cycle times, optimize cell layout, and increase line profitability.
• Engage directly with assembly operators, technicians, and mechanical manufacturing engineers to incorporate feedback into control designs before final deployment.
• Implement vision systems for quality inspection and configure data collection routines across assembly operations.

Skills

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLCs

Multi-brand robotics

HMI configuration

Machine vision systems

Data collection & monitoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Rockwell Automation PLCs

FANUC robots

Denso robots

Universal Robots

Emerson PLCs

Job description

Job Description

Join our team as a Controls Engineer and immerse yourself in a dynamic, high-volume manufacturing environment. This role demands technical expertise, agility, and cross-functional collaboration as you work to design, program, and optimize automation systems.

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Join our team as a Controls Engineer and immerse yourself in a dynamic, high-volume manufacturing environment. This role demands technical expertise, agility, and cross-functional collaboration as you work to design, program, and optimize automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and program PLC logic, HMI interfaces, and robot automation routines for new assembly equipment and production contracts.
• Spend significant time on the shop floor inspecting processes, working alongside assemblers, and refining equipment performance.
• Engineer solutions to boost first-pass yields, reduce cycle times, optimize cell layout, and increase line profitability.
• Engage directly with assembly operators, technicians, and mechanical manufacturing engineers to incorporate feedback into control designs before final deployment.
• Implement vision systems for quality inspection and configure data collection routines across assembly operations.

Essential Skills

• Advanced programming and integration experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLCs, specifically the ControlLogix/CompactLogix ecosystem.
• Hands-on experience integrating, teaching, and programming multi-brand industrial robotics such as FANUC, Denso, and Universal Robots.
• Proficiency in configuring operator screens for intuitive interfaces.
• Experience integrating machine vision systems for inline inspection and setting up data collection.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a commitment to listening to operators and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to adapt quickly to production schedule shifts and client scope changes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Background or experience in the Automotive Manufacturing sector or fast-paced industrial environments.
• Practical, hands-on mindset with a preference for working directly on equipment.
• Familiarity with additional PLC platforms such as Emerson or similar controls platforms.
• Experience developing operator-friendly HMI applications and user interfaces.
• Knowledge of manufacturing data collection, reporting, and process monitoring systems.

Work Environment: This hands-on manufacturing and automation engineering role is based primarily on the production floor. The work environment is fast-paced, with changing production priorities, and requires collaboration with operations, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams. Approximately 50-70% of the time is spent on the shop floor, with the remaining time at a workstation for programming, documenting, and managing projects. The role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving real-time problems and seeing their solutions directly impact production performance. Benefits include PTO and 401k contributions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Milwaukie, OR.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $95000.00 - $130000.00/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.

Benefits & Perks: Medical, Dental, and Vision start on day one of hire Fertility Treatment Coverage 10 Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time 401(k) with Employer Matching, Profit Sharing, and Annual Contributions Bonus Plans Paid Parental Leave Employee Assistance Programs Employee Discount Programs Career Growth, including Onsite Training and Tuition Reimbursement

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Milwaukie, OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 26, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Milwaukie,OR.

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 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.