Controls Engineer

Actalent; Morristown (TN); On-site; USD 69,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental

Vision coverage

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Disability coverage

HSA

Transportation benefits

PTO

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Contract Controls Engineer to support small-scale projects and line optimization in a fast-paced manufacturing setting in Morristown, TN. You will troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment on cells, heavily modify PLC programs, and diagnose control logic to improve efficiency and reliability.

The role emphasizes collaboration with production and maintenance teams, with exposure to robotic cells and Allen-Bradley automation. Onsite work with potential overtime is expected.

Qualifications

• Hands-on PLC troubleshooting and heavily modifying existing PLC programs.
• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLCs in an industrial automation environment.
• Experience working with HMI systems for monitoring and controlling automated equipment.
• Background in controls engineering within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Robotic programming experience for industrial automation cells.
• Ability to prioritize work and maintain focus when requirements and conditions change quickly.
• Strong understanding of electrical and automation concepts relevant to manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with robotics and automation systems in production environments.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment on individual manufacturing cells to resolve issues quickly and minimize downtime.
• Heavily modify and update existing PLC programs to support line optimization and changing production requirements.
• Work with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms to diagnose, adjust, and improve control logic and system performance.
• Configure, monitor, and adjust HMI interfaces to support operators and improve usability on the production floor.
• Support e-compressor manufacturing lines by ensuring controls systems operate reliably and meet production targets.
• Apply robotic programming skills to configure, modify, and optimize robotic cells within the automation environment.
• Collaborate with production and maintenance teams to identify root causes of equipment issues and implement corrective actions.
• Assist with automation improvements to increase efficiency, throughput, and quality in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Interpret electrical schematics to understand system design and support troubleshooting and modifications.
• Prioritize tasks effectively and stay focused while responding to changing priorities and production demands.
• Participate in short-term project work, contributing technical controls expertise to meet project timelines and objectives.
• Support safe operation of automated equipment by ensuring controls logic and system changes follow established procedures.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI systems

Robotic programming

Electrical concepts

Prioritization

Automation concepts

Tools

PLC programming software

HMI configuration tools

Job description

CONTRACT - Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Controls Engineer provides project support for smaller-scale projects and line optimization within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. In this role, you troubleshoot equipment and heavily modify existing PLC programs to support e-compressor production lines supplying major automotive customers. You primarily work on individual cells rather than entire production lines, ensuring reliable operation, efficiency, and continuous improvement of automated equipment.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment on individual manufacturing cells to resolve issues quickly and minimize downtime.
• Heavily modify and update existing PLC programs to support line optimization and changing production requirements.
• Work with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms to diagnose, adjust, and improve control logic and system performance.
• Configure, monitor, and adjust HMI interfaces to support operators and improve usability on the production floor.
• Support e-compressor manufacturing lines by ensuring controls systems operate reliably and meet production targets.
• Apply robotic programming skills to configure, modify, and optimize robotic cells within the automation environment.
• Collaborate with production and maintenance teams to identify root causes of equipment issues and implement corrective actions.
• Assist with automation improvements to increase efficiency, throughput, and quality in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Interpret electrical schematics to understand system design and support troubleshooting and modifications.
• Prioritize tasks effectively and stay focused while responding to changing priorities and production demands.
• Participate in short-term project work, contributing technical controls expertise to meet project timelines and objectives.
• Support safe operation of automated equipment by ensuring controls logic and system changes follow established procedures.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience with PLC troubleshooting and heavily modifying existing PLC programs.
• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLCs in an industrial automation environment.
• Experience working with HMI systems for monitoring and controlling automated equipment.
• Background in controls engineering within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Robotic programming experience for industrial automation cells.
• Ability to prioritize work and maintain focus when requirements and conditions change quickly.
• Strong understanding of electrical and automation concepts relevant to manufacturing equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in fast-paced manufacturing; automotive manufacturing experience is ideal but not required.
• Knowledge of electrical schematic design is a plus.
• Experience in electrical engineering or a related discipline is beneficial.
• Experience with robotics and automation systems in production environments.
• Familiarity with PLC programming beyond troubleshooting, including optimization and enhancements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams on the production floor.

Work Environment

This role operates in a fast-paced manufacturing environment focused on high-volume e-compressor production. You work directly on automated cells equipped with PLCs, HMIs, and robotic systems, using Allen-Bradley controls and related electrical and automation technologies. The position supports short-term project work with the potential to work overtime, and you regularly collaborate with production and maintenance teams on the shop floor to keep equipment running smoothly and efficiently.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Morristown, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Morristown, TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 7, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Morristown,TN.

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.